signingbooks #360 - I'll use you to establish my authority!
#360 - I'll use you to establish my authority!
In this fleeting moment, Liang Jin's thoughts raced like a whirlwind, ideas flooding his mind.
It was impossible for Han Suyan and An Lansheng to be absent from work without a reason; there had to be a cause.
First, perhaps they had encountered an extremely significant event, so that in their haste, they didn't have time to ask Liang Jin for leave before disappearing.
However, this possibility was very slim.
After all, Hualong Island had limited territory, and even if there was a sudden situation, they only needed to entrust a fellow disciple to come and inform Liang Jin to ask for leave; they would never just disappear.
Second, the two might have ruthlessly betrayed Liang Jin, changed their allegiance, and joined other halls, unwilling to see Liang Jin again.
But upon further reflection, this was also unlikely.
Liang Jin had always gotten along well with them, and there were no conflicts. Even if they really planned to switch halls, given their character, they wouldn't just leave without saying goodbye.
In this case, the last possibility seemed the most reasonable—the two had their personal freedom restricted.
In the entire Hualong Sect, she was the only one who had been opposing Liang Jin, sparing no effort to trip him up.
Thinking of this, Liang Jin could no longer sit still. He suddenly stood up and strode towards the outside of the Surveillance Hall.
The top priority was to find out who exactly had taken Han Suyan and An Lansheng away.
Liang Jin was certain that with Li Xueqing's status, she wouldn't do such a thing herself.
After all, as a dignified third-rank elder, how could she condescend to kidnap two insignificant ninth-rank ordinary disciples?
She still had to care about her own reputation.
Then, this matter must have been done by Li Xueqing's subordinates.
Moreover, Liang Jin was sure that Li Xueqing's subordinates would not act secretly.
With her power and status in the Hualong Sect, acting secretly would be beneath her. Using her power openly would be more in line with her style.
Liang Jin moved swiftly, quickly arriving at the accommodation area for new disciples.
Han Suyan and An Lansheng lived here.
Liang Jin inquired briefly in the accommodation area, and as expected, he got a definite answer.
It was the Enforcement Hall!
Today, just as dawn broke, disciples from the Enforcement Hall came here and forcibly took An Lansheng and Han Suyan away.
Liang Jin snorted coldly:
"As expected, it's just as I thought."
"It really is a good deed done by Li Xueqing's lackeys."
Back then, Li Xueqing was the Enforcement Elder, in charge of the Enforcement Hall.
And the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, Liao Chengxuan, was a confidant she had personally promoted.
Now, although Li Xueqing was no longer the Enforcement Elder, she was still an elder after all, and her remaining power was still there.
For her to have her lackeys arrest two ninth-rank martial artists, of course the lackeys wouldn't refuse out of consideration for past favors.
"Enforcement Hall, very well."
"Let me see just how powerful you really are."
Without saying a word, Liang Jin flashed, like a black lightning bolt, flying towards the Enforcement Hall.
Before long, he landed steadily at the entrance of the Enforcement Hall.
The architectural design of the Enforcement Hall was unique. From a distance, it resembled a peerless, sharp-edged sword with its full power exposed, piercing straight into the clouds with a majestic aura that seemed to break through the sky.
The sword-like outline was firm and sharp, as if it could easily cut through the flowing clouds in the sky, showing its inviolable majesty.
The lines around the building were straight, and the buildings were symmetrical, although slightly rigid, they represented the strictness and impartiality of law enforcement.
Every decoration seemed to contain an invisible force, exuding a chilling aura.
When one stood in front of the Enforcement Hall, it was like being in a cold wind. The invisible aura released by the sharp decorations, like a cold blade, pierced the visitor, making people feel awe and fear.
It was as if a slight carelessness would be hurt by this sharp aura, and even the soul would tremble.
Under the shroud of this powerful aura, people appeared even more small and insignificant, and could only look at the majesty of the Enforcement Hall with awe.
It is said that at the beginning of the Hualong Sect's founding, the Enforcement Elder at that time was honored as the "Sword-Holding Elder," who was specially responsible for holding the Shangfang Sword for the founding sect master, symbolizing supreme authority.
And what the Sword-Holding Elder led was the Sword-Holding Hall, whose duty was to eliminate treacherous officials for the sect master.
Later, the sect master saw that there was no hope of attacking the mainland and restoring the Great Yu in the short term, so he abolished the symbol of "Shangfang Sword," which was very imperial, and renamed the Sword-Holding Elder as the Enforcement Elder.
The Sword-Holding Hall was also renamed the Enforcement Hall.
With Liang Jin's arrival, the gatekeeper disciples of the Enforcement Hall hurriedly bowed and saluted:
"Greetings, Senior Brother Chief."
Liang Jin looked stern and said lightly:
"Tell your Hall Master Liao Chengxuan to come and see me."
The two gatekeeper disciples seemed to have expected Liang Jin to come and question them, and even their answers were prepared properly.
They replied in unison:
"Senior Brother Chief, the Hall Master suddenly fell ill last night and has already asked for leave to recuperate today."
"He is either lying sick in bed at home or receiving treatment at the Hundred Flowers Hall. Unfortunately, he is not in the Enforcement Hall."
The corners of Liang Jin's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a sneer.
After arresting his people, they started playing the game of avoiding him?
Did they really think he, Liang Jin, was easy to fool?
So, Liang Jin continued to press:
"I heard that the people from my Surveillance Hall have been arrested by you?"
Regarding this question, the two disciples still responded smoothly, saying:
"Senior Brother Chief, we are only responsible for guarding the gate. Arresting people is not our responsibility, and we really don't know anything about it."
"However, the Hall Master must know the details, after all, arresting disciples within the sect requires the Hall Master to personally sign the order."
"Senior Brother Chief may as well ask our Hall Master, he will definitely be able to give Senior Brother Chief an accurate answer."
At first glance, this sounded reasonable.
But Liang Jin shook his head slightly.
Were they starting to pass the buck?
Did they really think Liang Jin was a newbie who didn't know anything?
Only the Hall Master knew about the arrest, but the Hall Master happened to be absent.
If he went to look for him now, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find Liao Chengxuan's whereabouts all day long.
In this way, the purpose of the Enforcement Hall would be achieved.
Unfortunately, they still underestimated Liang Jin.
Liang Jin could be called an expert in finding people.
Immediately, the main body thousands of miles away activated the [Thousand Mile Tracking] feature.
As soon as the name "Liao Chengxuan" was entered, Liao Chengxuan's location instantly appeared clearly on the map.
Liang Jin glanced at it and muttered to himself, as expected:
"As expected, he's hiding in the Enforcement Hall."
This Liao Chengxuan really knew how to play tricks, trying to play the trick of hiding in plain sight with him?
However, even without the [Thousand Mile Tracking] feature, Liang Jin was determined to break into this Enforcement Hall today.
Immediately, Liang Jin did not hesitate to take a step and walked straight into the Enforcement Hall.
Upon seeing this, the two gatekeeper disciples hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, saying with nervous expressions:
"Chief Senior Brother, the Law Enforcement Hall is an important place in the sect; idlers are not allowed to enter."
Liang Jin's eyes were like torches as he stared at the two of them, asking with a playful tone:
"Idlers?"
Only then did the two disciples realize their slip of the tongue, and they quickly bowed and apologized:
"Chief Senior Brother, we certainly didn't mean to imply that you are an idler."
"We misspoke for a moment; please forgive us, Chief Senior Brother."
"It's just that according to the sect rules, without a hand decree from an Elder-level figure, other disciples are not allowed to enter the Law Enforcement Hall. We hope Chief Senior Brother will understand."
Despite their verbal apologies, the two of them stood firmly in front of the entrance like a wall, showing no intention of backing down.
Liang Jin shrugged helplessly, sighing inwardly that this was truly Li Xueqing's consistent style.
On the surface, everything was done according to the sect rules, but in reality, she deliberately made things difficult everywhere, practicing rampant bureaucracy.
As long as you lose your composure and violate the sect rules, then Li Xueqing will have a handle to deal with you.
"You want to talk about sect rules, right? Fine, then I'll talk to you about them."
Liang Jin's expression was stern as he said loudly:
"As the Inspector, I am tasked with patrolling on behalf of the heavens, bearing the heavy responsibility of supervising all personnel below the Elder level within the sect."
"According to the sect rules, I have the right to investigate anyone and any hall."
"Now I have received a report suspecting that there are corruption issues within your Law Enforcement Hall. I want to go in and investigate. Is there a problem with that?"
The two disciples still maintained a humble posture, but their tone was very firm as they asked:
"Inspector, you suspect that there is corruption within our Law Enforcement Hall. May I ask if the Inspector has any evidence?"
"If there is evidence, please show it to us, Inspector."
"If someone has reported it, please tell us the name of the reporter, Inspector, so that we can be convinced."
Their posture seemed humble, but their address had changed from "Chief Senior Brother" to "Inspector," clearly adopting a businesslike attitude.
Hearing this, Liang Jin raised his head and laughed heartily.
Then, he suddenly raised his palm and, with lightning speed, slapped the two of them hard.
"Slap!!!!"
"Slap!!!!"
Along with two crisp slapping sounds, half of the faces of the two gatekeeper disciples instantly swelled up high, and a patch of black and purple quickly spread.
Their lips were even split open by the fierce slaps, and fresh blood gurgled out.
The two gatekeeper disciples covered their faces in horror, looking at Liang Jin with fear in their eyes.
Liang Jin's expression was ice-cold as he said in a deep voice:
"If I don't show you some color, you really think I, Xiong Ba, am just a paper tiger?"
"The Inspector's evidence is something that you two small gatekeeper disciples are worthy of reviewing?"
"The name of the reporter is something you are worthy of asking about?"
"You two dogs, could it be that you want to supervise the Inspector's work?!"
Only then did the two gatekeeper disciples realize that their questioning just now was indeed inappropriate, and they quickly said repeatedly that they wouldn't dare.
They were naturally not qualified to interfere with the Inspector's work.
But even so, they still stood firm at the entrance, saying in a deep voice:
"Since its establishment, the Law Enforcement Hall has never had a precedent of being entered and investigated by an Inspector."
"Therefore, we really dare not make decisions on our own regarding this matter."
"Please ask our Hall Master to explain the situation. As long as the Hall Master agrees, we will immediately let you pass."
Liang Jin sneered. He had to go find the Hall Master again?
They were really good at playing Tai Chi.
It seemed that these two guys were determined to block him outside the door.
Sure enough.
The two gatekeeper disciples now showed a look of grievance, saying in a soft voice:
"Inspector, we are just insignificant small characters, each with our own responsibilities."
"Please be merciful, Inspector, and don't make things difficult for us little people."
"The Hall Master ordered us to guard here, and we dare not let anyone pass without authorization, otherwise, the Hall Master will definitely punish us severely afterward."
"Inspector, you are a magnanimous person, please inform our Hall Master."
"As long as the Hall Master gives the word, we will immediately let you pass, Inspector, and guarantee to serve you tea and water attentively all the way, daring not to be negligent in the slightest."
Liang Jin sighed helplessly.
These people actually started acting pitiful in front of him?
If he continued to force his way in, it would only make him seem unreasonable.
But Liang Jin had not intended to follow the so-called reasoning of these people when he came today.
In his eyes, his reasoning was the only reasoning!
Immediately, Liang Jin raised his hand again without saying a word, and slapped two more loud slaps.
"Slap!!!!"
"Slap!!!!"
The crisp slapping sound rang out again, and the other half of the faces of the two disciples also swelled up high.
These two slaps made them see stars and their ears rang, feeling dizzy and unsteady, as if they were stepping on cotton, with a heavy head and light feet.
Before the two could recover, Liang Jin slapped two more slaps quickly.
"Slap!!!!"
"Slap!!!!"
With these two slaps, the skin on the cheeks of the two disciples was torn open by the powerful force of the slaps, and a large amount of fresh blood spurted out from the wounds like a spring, instantly soaking their clothes.
Liang Jin looked down at the two of them, with no trace of sympathy in his eyes.
He knew very well that if anyone could disregard his face,
Anyone could arrest his subordinates at will,
Then how would he gain a foothold in the Dragon Transformation Sect in the future?
Today, he would use the Law Enforcement Hall to establish his authority!
He wanted everyone to understand that those who moved his people, Liang Jin, would pay a heavy price!
If Liang Jin wanted to break in, it would naturally be easy.
But now, he was not in a hurry to break into the Law Enforcement Hall.
Since he wanted to establish his authority, he had to show it to everyone!
Sure enough.
With Liang Jin's continuous slaps, many passing disciples had already stopped and pointed at this side from a distance.
And Liang Jin had already raised his palm, about to continue slapping down hard.
At this moment, a stern shout suddenly rang out like a thunderclap:
"Stop!!!!"
Along with this stern shout, a large number of disciples poured out from the Law Enforcement Hall like a tide.