With the thought of inspecting storage treasures, Jiang Hao felt as if he had been doused with icy water. His storage treasure contained numerous ordinary magical items and pills, but more importantly, it held three thousand nutrient beads. If they were inspected, the secret of possessing mysterious items and the truth behind Ming Zuoqian's demise would be unveiled.
Thankfully, they weren't conducting the inspection just yet. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. At that moment, he felt that escape was inevitable, yet he dared not show it.
'I need to find a chance to hide them somewhere safe,' Jiang Hao decided. 'The room search was likely aimed at these treasures, too.'
He followed the Law Enforcement Hall's people through every room. They didn't rummage around; they merely glanced through each area and used a magical item to probe. Finding nothing, they exited, and Jiang Hao had to leave with them.
"We're going to the holding quarters of the Law Enforcement Hall. This investigation will probably last seven days. It may be a bit uncomfortable, Junior Brother," Liu Xingchen kindly reminded him on the way.
"Alright," Jiang Hao nodded, maintaining a calm demeanor. "Which branch's true disciple was involved?"
"The Hundred Bone Forest," Liu Xingchen replied seriously. "Junior Brother has some history with Li Kai, right?"
"Just a bit," Jiang Hao admitted, recalling the past incident in the Spirit Herb Garden.
"It's not only you, Junior Brother. Four other Spirit Herb Gardens' people were also taken to the Law Enforcement Hall. Additionally, anyone recently associated with Li Kai from the Hundred Bone Forest must also go," Liu Xingchen explained without much reservation.
"Senior Brother Li is an inner disciple, right?" Jiang Hao asked, puzzled.
"I can't say much, but the Law Enforcement Hall will handle this matter. The involvement of true disciples is significant, and I lack the qualification to oversee it. Otherwise, I would inform you all about it," Liu Xingchen sighed.
Thanking him, Jiang Hao then inquired about the procedure of supervision: "What is the investigation process like this time?"
"The first couple of days are to identify all related people and events, and start controlling the situation. The middle three days will involve questioning and investigation. The last two days are for drawing conclusions," Liu Xingchen smiled. "Ideally, it wouldn't take so long. It's to give each main branch time to respond, see if they would protect someone, or whether negotiations can be made between the branches."
"But the one who committed murder will definitely be sent to the Lawless Heaven Tower, dropping a major cultivation level is unavoidable. They'll be made laborers elsewhere. In mines... though there are no mines anymore, perhaps other laborious places. Probably within the Law Enforcement Hall's loosely managed areas. In caves or demon caves," he added.
So, whether someone survives depends on the branches’ bargaining? A cold chill went down Jiang Hao's spine. If discovered, he'd be done for.
'I wonder if the Hidden Spirit Manifestation can resist the Lawless Heaven Tower.' Jiang Hao pondered. 'No, if discovered, even if it can resist, I won't survive unless my master pulls every string to save me—and even then, it might not be enough.'
As he walked, Jiang Hao showed no signs of unease. According to Liu Xingchen, the likelihood of inspecting storage treasures in the next couple of days was low. As long as he found a way to move them before any inspection, he'd be safe.
Who could he seek for help though? Staring briefly at Liu Xingchen, who seemed like a possible option... but completely entrusting his life to him would be too risky.
Who else?
That woman came to mind—someone reliable to help move the stash? Compared to Liu Xingchen, Jiang Hao trusted her more.
"This time, the killing of a true disciple has caused a significant stir with complex implications. Seemingly trivial conflicts can’t clarify the situation, given the multitude of factors at play. Beyond a true disciple being killed, any junior disciple on the list being killed obstructs justice and escalates the problem to potentially affecting the sect’s foundation."
"If a junior disciple on the observation list dies, it's seen as obstructing law enforcement; this could threaten the sect's integrity. The Law Enforcement Hall would gain absolute authority to find the murderer. Mind you, such cases can lead to sect-wide ramifications,” Liu Xingchen remarked, expressing his view.
Did it escalate to such levels? Jiang Hao had thought it wouldn't be as severe.
"And what if I'm killed one day, and the culprit is elusive?" he asked, curious.
At this, Liu Xingchen laughed: "Remember the genius I mentioned last time? Ordered to be executed by the sect leader? That person relied on hidden abilities to kill investigating personnel, halting the investigation. The Law Enforcement Hall obtained a sect treasure, the Heavenly Origin Divine Mirror, sparing no expense to find him. In the end, he was thrown into the Lawless Heaven Tower and killed inside."
"So, killing anyone under investigation or monitoring by the Law Enforcement Hall is strictly forbidden. Keep in mind that hidden lists, such as those Cloud Fairy Junior Sister Yun secretly belonged to, are exceptions," Liu Xingchen noted meaningfully to Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao remained composed, acknowledging the warning. Liu Xingchen seemed to be speaking directly to him.
Bang!
The iron door shut with a resounding clang. Jiang Hao now found himself confined within a small cell. There was a small hole at the top edge allowing a faint glimmer of light, alleviating the darkness. Aside from a meditation cushion, the room was bare.
Sitting down, he began to review what he had just encountered. With his insight into the Nameless Secret Manual, Jiang Hao could recognize traces of formations and enchantments around him. This was a simple holding area in Law Enforcement Peak's domain. Its guard system was weak, with neither strong formations nor enchantments in place.
"As a mid-phase Golden Core cultivator, escaping would be easy. But leaving equates to defection, increasing the danger," he mused. "Staying and waiting to be discovered is equally hazardous."
Calmly, Jiang Hao assessed the outcomes. If his deeds were uncovered, he'd enter the Lawless Heaven Tower—would anyone rescue him then? Elder Bai Zhi might intervene if he was still needed for cultivating flowers. And perhaps that woman, though by the time she might arrive, it could already be too late.
Exhaling deeply, Jiang Hao looked at the ceiling. The murder of the true disciple shouldn't have been problematic. The real misstep lay in keeping what he took on him. If he had hidden the items elsewhere, he'd likely be safer now.
If he managed to escape unscathed this time, he vowed to learn from this lesson. After some self-reflection, Jiang Hao began contemplating ways to save himself. Perhaps destroying the object could avert disaster. If that wasn't feasible, sacrificing some freedom and seeking Liu Xingchen's help, or reaching out to that woman, might be necessary.
This woman was privy to many of his secrets. If some favors owed could persuade her to help remove the items in the storage treasure, it might prove viable. However... he lacked a means to summon her. And only two days were left to make a decision.
Thus, Jiang Hao quietly remained in the room, waiting as time flowed by. Awaiting the final choice. As a last resort, Liu Xingchen was a potential ally; claiming a mysterious figure behind him could stall for time.
The next morning, a commotion jolted Jiang Hao awake. Looking back, he saw a white silhouette crawling through the small hole atop the wall. Soon, a rabbit's big head appeared. Upon seeing Jiang Hao, the rabbit excitedly requested:
"Master, buy me a collar. Please, buy one."
Jiang Hao: "....."