Liu Xingchen arrived at the hall and Jiang Hao invited him to sit down.
This time, Jiang Hao followed behind and noticed that Liu Xingchen didn’t seem to pay much attention to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which left him puzzled. Maybe it wasn't necessary to observe any longer to avoid suspicion.
"Do you know why I came to find you this time?" Liu Xingchen spoke up first as he sat down.
"Is it still about the Heavenly Joy Pavilion?" Jiang Hao cautiously asked.
Given the difference from the first encounter, Jiang Hao assumed Liu Xingchen was likely here to recruit him and had a pretty good guess as to why. It was probably because of Miao Qian. As he spoke, Jiang Hao poured a cup of tea and handed it over.
"Yes and no," Liu Xingchen replied. After taking a sip, he continued, "Junior Brother, do you know Miao Qian from Heavenly Joy Pavilion?"
"Yes, he bought talismans from me yesterday and said he’d pay today," Jiang Hao answered honestly.
So it was indeed about this matter.
"Are you planning to go collect it today?" Liu Xingchen asked, setting down his cup and staring at Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao shook his head slightly, reflecting his resignation, "He's doing it on purpose. He won’t give me the spirit stones, and if I go again, he’ll just take my talismans and keep me waiting. Otherwise, he'll tell me to go to the Heavenly Joy Pavilion."
"He's dead," Liu Xingchen stated bluntly.
Jiang Hao furrowed his brows and sat in silence for a moment as Liu Xingchen sipped his tea without speaking further.
After a brief pause, Jiang Hao broke the silence, "Do they think I did it?"
Liu Xingchen nodded almost imperceptibly before continuing, "After investigating, I went to the market and indeed heard about your dispute. But with your current strength, it's impossible for you to be his opponent, especially since he left many things behind. Logic suggests you wouldn't be that extravagant."
"What did he leave behind?" Jiang Hao asked, pretending to be curious.
"A pile of spirit swords, though the technique somewhat resembles yours. Also, a swift stab to the neck," Liu Xingchen commented, seemingly casually but actually observing Jiang Hao’s reaction, which yielded little.
Yet another silence filled the room until Jiang Hao spoke again, "Is someone framing me?"
"It's hard to say, but with no evidence, Heavenly Joy Pavilion can't touch you. Of course, this also reveals another issue." Liu Xingchen’s expression grew serious as he fixed his gaze on Jiang Hao, "If you're killed without any proof, it will just be a meaningless death."
Hearing this, Jiang Hao broke out in a cold sweat. If he could kill someone, then others could kill him too. Suddenly, remaining here felt extremely perilous.
"Don’t worry too much," Liu Xingchen said upon noticing Jiang Hao's changing expression. "Although we are known as the Demonic Sect, our management isn’t lax. Killing within the sect is not tolerated unless like that person last night, no traces are left. It's generally not possible; in cases of sect killings, the Law Enforcement Hall has never failed to find the culprit."
Jiang Hao sighed with relief, grateful for the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi that concealed him. Without it, he wouldn’t dare act. The Law Enforcement Hall possessed many powerful artifacts, as he had heard.
"I’ve heard the punishment for killing fellow disciples is severe," Jiang Hao mentioned.
"Being sent to the Lawless Heaven Tower," Liu Xingchen disclosed, even he seemed to shudder at the thought.
"The Lawless Heaven Tower is the sect's harshest punishment. Upon entering, your power is absorbed by the tower. Coming out alive will result in dropping at least one major realm.
If you’re unafraid, you might as well kill. You might not grasp the concept, but let me put it this way: an individual with the Golden Core stage might emerge weaker than you. Tell me, isn’t that as good as dead?
With rank and benefits lost, they suffer abuse in the sect and may be instantly killed outside the sect. If anyone ordered it, the mastermind would also be sent inside."
"What about for Qi Refining levels?" Jiang Hao inquired. Because if they entered at Qi Refining and came out at the same level, wouldn't there be no consequences?
"Everything’s confiscated, and they’re sent to the mines to dig. Their life or death is their own business," Liu Xingchen replied offhandedly.
"Does the mine regulate self-killing?" Jiang Hao asked.
"No regulation."
Jiang Hao nodded; he had heard bits before but did not know the details. For now, it seemed there was safety within the sect. Leaving meant certain death. Here, others would think thrice before attacking. Yet, having killed himself, he constantly felt others might also strike him during those dark and stormy nights.
"As long as Junior Brother is cautious, you won't face mortal danger within the sect. Due to suspicion, your name has been placed on the watch list. Should anything occur, the Law Enforcement Hall will go to any lengths to uncover the truth. Regardless of who, they will face deadly punishment, as it's affecting our sect's justice," Liu Xingchen assured, raising his cup as encouragement.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude.
Being placed under Law Enforcement's watch, yet still needing to thank them, was an odd feeling indeed.
"No need to thank me. If it wasn’t for Yun Ruo’s death having such an impact, you wouldn’t be in danger. And speaking of which, the compensation Heavenly Joy Pavilion demands..." Liu Xingchen inquired with earnest concern.
"There should be no problem," Jiang Hao quickly replied.
"Very well. If you trust me, you can come to the Law Enforcement Hall when the time comes, and I'll help deliver it to Heavenly Joy Pavilion," Liu Xingchen offered with a smile.
After some additional conversation, Jiang Hao understood that the reason for not being overly troubled this entire time was due to Broken Hearts Cliff having significant influence. The angered Heavenly Joy Pavilion didn’t want to fall out with Broken Hearts Cliff, thus waiting for the right opportunity to act lawfully.
As he saw Liu Xingchen off, Jiang Hao posed a somewhat troubling question: "If someone attacks me, and it turns out to be an extraordinarily rare genius, will the punishment remain the same?"
Geniuses often had immunity.
Liu Xingchen chuckled and admired, "That depends on whether you die. If you do, our sect leader’s past response to such incidents was described as: 'How can their talents surpass my own? Disrupting sect justice equates to shaking the foundation; kill.'"
Afterwards, Liu Xingchen left, and Jiang Hao marveled at how arrogant the sect leader was. At the same time, he worried about his involvement in killing.
Hundred Flowers Lake.
Hong Yuye wore a slight frown, and the nearby Bai Zhi was so frightened she didn’t dare breathe loudly.
"Report your recent findings," Hong Yuye spoke with no expression.