The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

"Mmm..."

"This subordinate, Gongsun Bo, greets the Venerable Lord."

After waking, Gongsun Bo immediately rose and bowed to the Meiying Venerable.

"Mm, report the entire course of events, step by step."

"Yes."

After acknowledging, Gongsun Bo began his report. "Per the Venerable Lord’s command, Inspector Cai and I traveled to Demon Heart Valley to investigate the widespread rumors of Demon Race activity. We did indeed encounter members of the Demon Race on our way and fought a battle. Later, when we ventured deeper into Demon Heart Valley, we were brutally ambushed."

"It turns out that three or more Demon Race Half-Venerables were stationed in Demon Heart Valley. The men we led were almost completely wiped out. After Inspector Cai and I broke through the encirclement, we were still relentlessly pursued. So that I could escape to report this, Inspector Cai used himself as a decoy to draw away most of the Demon Race forces."

"I was hunted by one of the Half-Venerables. Although I escaped, I was hit by their killing move. By the time I made it back to the main city, I was on the verge of death. If the Venerable Lord hadn’t used their arts to save me, I’m afraid I would have already crossed into the Netherworld..."

At this, the Meiying Venerable waved her hand and said coolly, "Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t the one who saved you." She then pointed at Qin Ya. "It was this Inspector Qin."

"Inspector Qin?!"

Because Gongsun Bo had been away investigating Demon Heart Valley, he hadn’t been in the main city and thus didn’t recognize Qin Ya, the new Inspector whose fame had recently exploded. But since the Meiying Venerable herself had said it, he had no reason to doubt her. He bowed to Qin Ya and said, "My thanks, Inspector Qin."

"No need for thanks. It was nothing," Qin Ya said with a smile.

"Alright, you two get acquainted. I’m leaving now."

The Meiying Venerable spoke coolly, her tone colder than ever before. It seemed the events in Demon Heart Valley had truly angered her.

...

"What?"

"A Half-Step King who slayed several Era-Defining Kings!"

"And after advancing to King, he even killed the Half-Venerable Ancestor of the Dongmen Family?"

"And he also became the youngest Inspector in the history of the main city?"

After the Meiying Venerable left, Jii Xingyue stayed behind to tell Gongsun Bo about Qin Ya. Gongsun Bo, for his part, was very interested in the benefactor who had saved his life.

As they talked, the revelations that Jii Xingyue dropped one after another left Gongsun Bo in a state of constant shock. His gaze toward Qin Ya was now filled with utter astonishment.

’Gods, what a frightening prodigy.’

"All Inspectors, gather in the main hall immediately!!"

Just then, the Meiying Venerable’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

Qin Ya and the others immediately went to the main hall.

The Meiying Venerable was seated on the throne, her entire being exuding a murderous aura.

All the arriving Inspectors shuddered, their expressions turning grave. They knew that this Venerable... was truly furious.

"Gongsun Bo, repeat the whole story."

"Yes, Venerable Lord."

Gongsun Bo stepped forward. "About half a year ago, in Demon Heart Valley—located southeast of Meiying County, ten thousand li from Wuxi City—the Demon Race appeared..."

After he finished explaining the situation, all the Inspectors looked astonished. The Demon Race? Whether in the Southern Domain or the Divine Country, they are the number one mortal enemy of the Human Race. Once discovered, they must be dealt with severely, without the slightest negligence.

"The presence of the Demon Race in Demon Heart Valley is now a fact."

"The entire Demon Heart Valley stretches for over a thousand li. We don’t know how many of the Demon Race are there, but we know they have Half-Venerable Level experts. Their strength is unprecedented."

"Inspector Cai Yu is now trapped deep within the valley, his status unknown."

The Meiying Venerable paused for a moment, then said lightly, "Therefore, I have decided to launch a crusade against Wuxin Valley and will be initiating a city-wide recruitment. All the great Noble Families, Sects, gangs, and even merchant guilds in the city, as well as all Independent Martial Artists—every King Level Martial Artist must obey the Venerable Mansion’s command and participate in this campaign."

"The required contribution of forces will vary depending on the strength of each faction. Super-factions must provide at least two hundred Kings, and first-rate factions at least one hundred... An Era-Defining King will count as ten Kings. As for the specific arrangements, you Inspectors have a free hand, but use your own discretion. Martial Artists who perform exceptionally in the campaign will also receive additional rewards."

"Everyone, is that understood?"

A crusade! A city-wide recruitment!!

Everyone was stunned. This was a blatant demand for manpower from the major factions, a clear move to weaken their power. Worse, it was being done under the righteous banner of crusading against the Demon Race, making it impossible to refuse. To be unwilling would not just mean opposing the Venerable Mansion.

It would mean opposing the entire Divine Country, the entire Human Race!

Tsk, tsk. It was easy to imagine this news sweeping through the city like a storm once it got out. What would those factions think?

"We will obey the Venerable Lord’s command."

"Remember, the recruitment must be completed within half a month."

As her words faded, the Meiying Venerable’s figure vanished from before their eyes.

The various Inspectors also took their leave, returning to prepare for the recruitment.

That same day, the matter of recruitment was announced to the entire city.

In an instant, the entire city was in an uproar. Countless people were caught off guard by the sudden news, their heads reeling.

"Recruitment? What’s going on?"

"A city-wide recruitment. All King Level Martial Artists, once selected, must obey the Venerable Mansion’s orders and participate in the crusade against Demon Heart Valley."

"Damn, the Demon Race is back."

"I have a feeling things in the main city are about to get chaotic."

"No kidding. A crusade against the Demon Race? You think it’s going to be simple? The Venerable Lord is blatantly trying to weaken the power of the various factions, and they can’t even resist. This is a textbook open conspiracy. You know exactly what she’s doing, but you’re powerless to stop it."

"This move is just too ruthless."

Within the Dongmen Family compound, atop a high tower.

When Ancestor Dongmen, who was in the middle of his Cultivation, heard the news of the recruitment, he nearly suffered a Qigong Deviation. He immediately convened a family meeting to discuss countermeasures.

"Quick, bring me the clan roster."

"Find all the disciples with good Talent who have reached the King level. Immediately put them on our largest flying ship—no, use merchant ships to send them out of the main city. Scatter them among the various other cities. They absolutely must not return anytime soon."

"Also, isn’t Third Brother going to a Secret Realm for Cultivation? Have him take more people with him. As for the rest, whoever can go into seclusion, do so..."

It wasn’t just the Dongmen Family; the Sima, Lin, and other factions made similar moves. But it was as if the Meiying Venerable had seen right through their intentions. Just as the Recruitment Order was issued, the main city’s Grand Array was activated, completely sealing it off. One could enter, but not leave! This forced countless experts to sigh toward the heavens in despair...

But aside from the factions that tried every possible means to escape the recruitment, there were also some Martial Artists who joined voluntarily. These people all rushed to the Venerable Mansion to register. Most of them were Independent Martial Artists and members of smaller gangs and sects.

They had many reasons for wanting to join the crusade.

Besides tempering themselves through experience, most hoped to use this opportunity to make a name for themselves. If they performed well, they might even be able to join the Venerable Mansion and ascend to the heavens in a single step.