Upon hearing Liu Xingchen's words, Jiang Hao felt a mix of absurdity and helplessness.
While others are keen to keep their names away from the Law Enforcement Hall, he, on the contrary, seems to have made every effort to get there. This time, his name could continue to be displayed at the Law Enforcement Hall, thanks to Senior Sister Yan Hua.
"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask you about, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao said in a calm voice. "I'm curious about what kind of punishments the Law Enforcement Hall typically hands out?"
"Punishments?" Liu Xingchen looked a bit puzzled. "You're referring to entering the Lawless Heaven Tower?"
"Besides that?" Jiang Hao queried further.
"There's not much else. Most issues are resolved by each branch themselves. The Law Enforcement Hall doesn't deal with everything. If the branches don't want to handle something, the Law Enforcement Hall can take over. But mostly, it's sending people to the Thunder Punishment Platform."
"Would the Law Enforcement Hall punish someone by sending them to mine?" Jiang Hao asked, voicing his inner concern.
"No, trivial matters like that are definitely handled by the branches themselves. The Law Enforcement Hall deals mostly with serious issues like internecine fighting within the sect and traitor infiltration, and it maintains balance among the branches," Liu Xingchen explained.
Jiang Hao nodded, somewhat disappointed. It seemed he would have to rely on his master for this issue.
"Actually, there's something I need to tell you, Junior Brother," Liu Xingchen said, giving Jiang Hao a once-over. "You're at the mid-level of Foundation Establishment, right?"
"Yes," Jiang Hao replied, puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
"Not at all," Liu Xingchen shook his head. "You're in your early twenties, right? With your talent, you could become a True Disciple. But due to your ties with traitors, Broken Hearts Cliff wouldn't dare to take you in. So this also puts you at a disadvantage being on the Law Enforcement Hall's watch list. It's something you should consider."
With this, Jiang Hao understood. Back then, his master knew he was at the mid-level of Foundation Establishment but didn't express it, because of his entanglements with traitors. Without the Law Enforcement Hall's restrictions, he feared venturing out would be risky. Ultimately, he chose to remain an Inner Disciple, as it drew less attention. Each True Disciple was closely watched.
"I need to be on my way. Remember, Junior Brother, you're still on our suspect list. Until we find Junior Sister Yan Hua, you're not cleared of suspicion." Liu Xingchen started to leave, but after a few steps, he couldn't help reminding, "Junior Brother, lay low on achievements for a while."
Jiang Hao was left speechless. Doing well with the Barbarian Dragon was purely accidental. He merely tossed a Thousand Swords Talisman, and it somehow worked.
"Oh, by the way, Xuanyuan Tai got caught, and your merits have caught Profound Heaven Sect's attention," Liu Xingchen said before heading off to the mines. The Law Enforcement Hall had to check all suspicious individuals.
"A single Thousand Swords Talisman got me in trouble with the Profound Heaven Sect…it really wasn't cheap."
With a resigned shake of his head, Jiang Hao left the mining area. Since he couldn't forcefully stay there, he had to wait for the mine to reopen and hope his master would punish him to mine.
Now he had to return and check on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It had been a month since he went to the mine.
Below Broken Hearts Cliff.
In Jiang Hao's courtyard.
The rabbit lay in front of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, staring intently at its leaves. Its stomach grumbled as the flower's scent wafted through the air enticingly. It opened its mouth to take a nibble but quickly drew back, patting its face.
"No, no, if the master returns, Lord Rabbit might end up in a stew. But..."
It glared at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, about to lick it with its tongue. Just a taste. Before its tongue could touch, a scabbard pressed down on it.
"Ow ow!" The rabbit struggled but couldn't break free.
"What do you think you're doing?" Jiang Hao's voice came over.
Jiang Hao stood by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, pinning the rabbit's tongue with his crescent moon blade. Seeing the rabbit couldn't speak, he lifted the blade.
Finding its tongue intact, the rabbit sighed in relief and said, "Master, I was just trying to clean the dust off the leaves."
"With your life?" Jiang Hao retorted. This rabbit dared not to lick; it could be dead, bringing trouble on him. That woman could do anything.
"If you licked the leaf, you probably wouldn't survive," Jiang Hao said seriously. As for how it would end, even he didn't know.
In the corner, he stabbed the crescent moon blade into the ground. The blade was now covered in cracks and couldn't be used anymore. It had been cheap and long-lasting but was now the second one unable to handle the Seven Forms of the Heavenly Blade and Purple Qi like ordinary artifacts. Only the Primordial Heaven Blade remained unaffected.
The rabbit, scared by Jiang Hao, covered its mouth, not daring to even think about it.
"Has anyone come around here lately?" Jiang Hao asked from his wooden chair. The woman hadn't taken away the furniture, so it stayed. A quick flash of his Foundation Establishment cultivation cleared any dust from the table.
"Lord Rabbit's reputation here is enough; who's brave enough to disturb your peace? Friends around give Lord Rabbit face, respecting the master," said the rabbit, hopping onto an opposite chair.
Jiang Hao stared at the rabbit's bold claims. Seeing him silent, the rabbit panicked and quickly corrected, "A female human named Ming Yi came looking for you."
"Did she say anything?" Jiang Hao asked.
"She said, 'what a pity,' and that she'd come back another time," the rabbit replied.
Jiang Hao frowned. Fairy Ming Yi was from the Heavenly Saint Sect. Could it be related to Yan Hua seeking him?
Jiang Hao stopped dwelling on it and prepared to find his master and Senior Brother Mu Qi. Since the mines were unavailable, he would go back to overseeing the Spirit Herb Garden.
Hundred Flowers Lake.
Bai Zhi knelt on one knee, bearing slight injuries and looking fearful. Hong Yuye stood by the lake, feeding the fish. After scattering some feed, she spoke.
"Is there an outcome from the Azure Sky Mountain affair?"