Chapter 153: The Enforcers' Retreat

As the battle between Gujian and Cheng Qian came to an end, the fight between Xuanyuan Jian and Ouyang Chunqiu in the distance was also reaching its conclusion.

Under the fierce assault of Xuanyuan Jian wielding the Divine Sword, Ouyang Chunqiu could only hastily defend against the attacks. In his previous battle with Lu Yinning, Ouyang Chunqiu’s spiritual energy had been greatly depleted. But Xuanyuan Jian was different—at the peak of his power and with the Divine Sword as his aid, Ouyang Chunqiu was no match for him. Ever since their confrontation began, Ouyang Chunqiu had been on the defensive.

After dodging a sword aura from Xuanyuan Jian, Ouyang Chunqiu swiftly moved several times to separate himself. Then, his gaze shifted toward the distant battlefield.

Seeing that Cheng Qian had been defeated by a young martial king, Ouyang Chunqiu realized that capturing Xiao Yu today was a lost cause. Meanwhile, Xiao Yu, leading the Twelve Celestials, was slaughtering many elders and officers of the Law Enforcement Hall, causing their forces to collapse.

On all three battlefronts, the Law Enforcement Hall was clearly being overwhelmed. Xuanyuan Jian alone was enough for Ouyang Chunqiu to handle; if Xiao Yu and his group also broke through, Ouyang Chunqiu would be caught in a pincer attack, and his freedom might well end in death.

Lost in thought, Ouyang Chunqiu was suddenly struck by a sharp sword aura from afar. He immediately turned around and dodged to the side, but despite his speed, the sword aura still left a wound on his arm.

“Fighting me and yet still distracted? That’s rather disrespectful,” came Xuanyuan Jian’s calm voice from a distance.

“Does your Xuanyuan clan truly intend to make enemies of the Law Enforcement Hall?” Ouyang Chunqiu gathered spiritual energy in his hand and passed it over his wounded arm, instantly restoring it from the crimson blood.

“This is my action alone, unrelated to the Xuanyuan clan. Don’t use the Law Enforcement Hall to pressure me. If I get annoyed, I might just leave you here,” Xuanyuan Jian replied, caressing his long sword with a composed expression.

Ouyang Chunqiu was furious but powerless. He knew there was no point in continuing the fight; if they didn’t retreat now, few of the Law Enforcement Hall’s people would survive.

“Today, the Law Enforcement Hall admits defeat! But don’t get cocky. You’ve killed many of us, and if the hall masters learn of this, not only you but even your clans and sects won’t be able to avoid responsibility! From now on, beware of our Law Enforcement Hall’s vengeance!” Ouyang Chunqiu declared.

With that, his figure vanished, reappearing beside Cheng Qian. After examining Cheng Qian’s injuries, Ouyang Chunqiu’s face darkened. Cheng Qian’s spiritual energy was completely exhausted, and his body bore several fatal wounds from the explosion.

Without hesitation, Ouyang Chunqiu lifted Cheng Qian and ascended into the void. He shouted to those still fighting Xiao Yu and his group, “Retreat!”

Immediately, Ouyang Chunqiu’s form became a streak of light flying away. The elders and officers of the Law Enforcement Hall, upon hearing his order, ceased fighting and withdrew, vanishing from the battlefield.

Seeing the Law Enforcement Hall retreat, Xiao Yu did not pursue. Instead, he quickly moved to where Gujian was.

Upon seeing that Gujian’s essence energy was depleted but his life was not in danger, Xiao Yu relaxed. He did not want any accidents after only two days of traveling with Gujian and Lu Yinning. At the same time, the hatred toward the Law Enforcement Hall was deeply engraved in his heart.

Xiao Yu silently vowed that when his strength rivaled that of the True Immortals of the land, he would attack the Law Enforcement Hall and destroy it utterly.

He sheathed his long sword and lifted Gujian in his arms. As he did, a faint snore came from Gujian’s mouth, causing Xiao Yu to smile in disbelief. It seemed Gujian had fallen asleep—truly a carefree heart.

When Xiao Yu returned to the carriage, Xuanyuan Jian was also bringing Lu Yinning back. Seeing Lu Yinning unconscious as well, Xiao Yu hurriedly asked, “Is he alright?”

“Just exhausted. A few days of rest will do. But both of them used secret arts from their sects, so full recovery will take some time,” Xuanyuan Jian said, placing Lu Yinning inside the carriage.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu felt a pang of guilt. Though Gujian and Lu Yinning had grudges with the Law Enforcement Hall, ultimately, today’s events were caused by him. He sighed helplessly, placed Gujian beside Lu Yinning, and then returned to the battlefield.

By then, the Twelve Celestials had gathered the corpses of the slain Law Enforcement Hall members in a clearing. Upon Xiao Yu’s arrival, he formed a ball of essence fire in his palm and burned the bodies to ashes.

After finishing, Xiao Yu and the others gradually returned to the carriage, started the vehicle, and quickly departed, heading toward Yanjing.

Meanwhile, after their defeat, Ouyang Chunqiu and the others hurried back to Kunlun Mountain. Upon learning that their mission had failed and that more than half of their people were dead or wounded, Jiang Chao was furious.

“Trash! All of you are trash! Two vice hall masters at the Tribulation stage leading a dozen elders at the Fusion stage and dozens of officers at the Nascent Soul stage, yet you were utterly routed by Xiao Yu and his group! You’ve brought shame to the Law Enforcement Hall!” Jiang Chao roared in the main hall.

Below him knelt a group of Law Enforcement Hall’s strongest, including Vice Hall Master Ouyang Chunqiu.

“Master, please calm down. This was beyond our expectations. We didn’t realize Xiao Yu’s team included not only two experts but also Xuanyuan Jian from the Xuanyuan clan. We were outmatched,” Ouyang Chunqiu stammered, trembling on the ground.

“Excuses! All excuses! You and Cheng Qian are both at the Tribulation stage. Could it be that among Xuanyuan Jian’s group there’s a Martial Saint? How else could you be defeated?” Jiang Chao shouted angrily.

“Please forgive us, Master!” the others pleaded.

They knew Jiang Chao was truly enraged. Since the founding of the Law Enforcement Hall, nothing like this had happened before. If this story spread, their prestige would surely be diminished.

“Enough, all of you leave,” came a commanding voice from outside the hall.

Then, Nan Ke’s figure slowly entered. Everyone in the Law Enforcement Hall already knew Nan Ke’s identity. Facing this envoy from the Immortal Realm, they dared not make a sound. Even Jiang Chao showed great humility upon seeing Nan Ke.

Upon hearing Nan Ke’s words, everyone felt much relieved. They quickly rose and left. In just a moment, only Nan Ke and Jiang Chao remained in the hall.