Chapter 5066 — Heading to the Mysterious Investigation Bureau
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
In Xue Jianming's view, the best approach was none other than to drive straight in—go directly to the Mysterious Investigation Bureau and obtain from them the records of every cultivator in the mortal world. Then one need only sift through them one by one, pick out those who met the aptitude requirements of the Tai Gu sects, and take them away outright. Why go to such great pains to act so discreetly?
Yet for all his displeasure, this was after all the express decree of the Tai Gu Alliance, and even Xue Jianming could not openly defy it. But now things were different: the deaths of Yin Zhiping and Sun Baimei gave him ample grounds to make an issue of it. To come knocking for justice was entirely proper, and at the same time he could seize the chance to demand men—two birds with one stone.
"Quite so, quite so—Brother Xue is shrewd indeed. Rather than spending our own effort and wasting time, why not simply ask them for the men!" Fei Yangnian nodded again and again, thinking to himself that this senior brother was truly a figure of impressive bearing—a man of bold resolve in all he did!
The two set off at once for the headquarters of the Mysterious Investigation Bureau. Such matters were secrets the ordinary man could scarcely touch, but to cultivators of their caliber, the mortal world held no secrets at all.
The situation at the Mysterious Investigation Bureau had long since been observed clearly by the other trial disciples; only, constrained by the rules of the Tai Gu Alliance, they had merely watched from afar and not dared intrude rashly.
Arriving at the Bureau's headquarters, Xue Jianming and Fei Yangnian stepped out of the car and strode in. The guard at the gate started at the sight and hastily barred their way: "Sorry, no unauthorized persons beyond this point."
Unlike other institutions, the Mysterious Investigation Bureau hung no signboard at its gate, and being in a rather remote place, it saw no idle comers and goers save its own people—though mishaps did occur now and then, and the guards' role was to keep such idlers out.
"Out of my way." Xue Jianming did not halt his steps, merely cursing under his breath—and the guard, for reasons unknown, dropped to his knees on the spot with a thud.
Fei Yangnian, following behind, watched this with a cold chuckle. The guard was plainly no ordinary man; by the look of it he had at least a Yellow-rank cultivation. Yet before a master like Xue Jianming, one at the great perfection of Foundation Establishment, a Yellow-rank expert was no different from any common man—a single glance could frighten you to your knees.
"Old Wu, are you all right?" Several team members passing by on business hurried over, helping him up while teasing, "Old Wu, you are too polite. It was only a small wound from the last operation—no need to kneel before everyone you meet. And anyway, this isn't Director Feng or Director Song; kneeling to him won't get you back on the action team."
"Nonsense! As soon as my wound heals I'll be back on the action team!" Old Wu's face darkened. Even he could not say what had just happened—perhaps it was simply his leg going numb. Yet when he looked again at Xue Jianming and his companion, a measure of wariness entered his eyes, and he said, neither cringing nor arrogant, "Gentlemen, your credentials, if you please."
"Credentials?" Xue Jianming stood in lofty posture and glanced down at him with faint scorn. "Wherever I wish to go, I have never needed credentials—nor do I know what they are."
At these words, Old Wu and the several team members beside him wore peculiar expressions. This had to be some scion of a high official's household, one who fancied his power reached the heavens and cared not a fig for anyone, wherever he went.