Soul Emperor Martial God

The atmosphere in the Council Hall suddenly became extremely eerie.

An invisible oppression filled the air.

Once the suppression reached its limit, it would burst forth.

Such an explosion, once it started, was unstoppable.

Even if it burst forth not from just one side...

This place, which once symbolized the stability of the Flame Martial Kingdom through the Flame Martial Guard headquarters, would turn into a battlefield ravaged by war.

The source of that oppression and the explosion both came from Xiao Yi.

The coldness on his face and the murderous intent in his eyes fully expressed his current attitude.

"Sigh," after a long moment, Xiao Yi took a deep breath.

The air of oppression suddenly dissipated.

He ultimately chose to suppress the rage in his heart.

"Great Commander," Xiao Yi said with an icy demeanor.

"In my understanding, you are not the kind of person who fails to distinguish right from wrong or perverts the law for personal gain."

"I have long heard of your formidable reputation."

Who didn't know the iron-blooded reputation of the old man standing before him?

In his youth, he had also emerged from a mountain of corpses and sea of blood as a formidable figure.

Those countless long-distance raids, massacring all around, were terrifying achievements.

That was what made this peak powerhouse.

That was also what made him a legendary figure of the Flame Martial Guard today.

Such a staunch warrior, Xiao Yi absolutely refused to believe he would engage in protectionism.

"Tell me, why are you protecting Bai Mohan today?"

"I could find out about it, I don't believe you couldn't."

Xiao Yi's clear and icy eyes stared directly at the Great Commander.

A flicker of admiration and a satisfied smile crossed the Great Commander's aged face.

"I cannot tell you the reason," the Great Commander said softly.

"After all, you are not yet qualified, nor do you have the authority."

"How can I qualify?" Xiao Yi asked coldly.

"Become a True Commander," the Great Commander said with a light chuckle.

Then, without waiting for Xiao Yi to respond, he turned to Yee Xiu, "Commander Yee Xiu."

"Has Deputy Commander Xiao Yi's accomplishments qualified him to be promoted to Great Commander?"

Yee Xiu nodded and said, "The journey to the East Six Counties."

"Deputy Commander Xiao Yi destroyed dozens of Blood Intent Pill foundations."

"He rescued martial artists, totaling over a hundred thousand."

"He saved civilians, in the hundreds of thousands to millions."

"He also uncovered a series of illicit activities and crimes involving the Thousand Heroes Sect, Mountain God Sect, Wanshan Prince, and Deputy Commander Yinm Shan."

"Considering his achievements, he has sufficiently qualified to be promoted to True Commander."

"Good," the Great Commander slowly nodded, looking at Xiao Yi.

"Then I hereby announce, Deputy Commander Xiao Yi is officially promoted to True Commander."

"As the sixth True Commander of the Flame Martial Guard."

"Uh… this…" Xiao Yi was startled, somewhat unable to grasp the Great Commander's sudden change of attitude.

"What does this mean, Great Commander?"

Xiao Yi stood there dazed.

The Great Commander and Yee Xiu suddenly exchanged a smile.

"The so-called state has its laws, and a family has its rules," the Great Commander said with a light chuckle.

"I, Flame Martial Guard, also have iron rules."

"You were just a deputy commander, your authority was insufficient, there were things you couldn't know."

"Now that you are a True Commander, you are qualified, and now I can let you know."

"Come, follow me to the Scrolls Room."

Saying so, the Great Commander turned and walked away.

Yee Xiu followed.

Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly followed.

…

The Scrolls Room of the Flame Martial Guard was vast.

It was probably tens of thousands of square meters.

Those neatly arranged shelves were definitely more than ten thousand.

The overwhelming number of scrolls were frightening.

Here, were gathered all the intelligence of the entire Flame Martial Kingdom.

The Great Commander pointed towards a shelf at the very end of the Scrolls Room.

He said gravely, "In this entire Scrolls Room, only that shelf is restricted, only I have the authority to access those scrolls."

"You are not permitted to tamper with it."

"Besides that, you are free to access all other scrolls."

"Go, the answers you seek are within these numerous scrolls."

"After you've read the scrolls, if you still have doubts, come and find me."

Having said that, the Great Commander and Yee Xiu walked towards a nearby table.

On the table, two cups of brewed fragrant tea were already prepared.

It seemed they had intended to bring Xiao Yi to the Scrolls Room all along.

Xiao Yi frowned, he had a feeling that he had been played.

After a moment, he shook his head and walked over to the numerous scrolls, quickly flipping through them.

The information on the shelves, from the outer to the inner sections, required higher levels of clearance the deeper one went.

And just entering the Scrolls Room itself required sufficient authorization.

Flame Martial Guard members needed at least a Captain's clearance.

The 25 subdivisions outside required at least Deputy Commander level clearance.

Xiao Yi pondered for a moment.

Since the Great Commander had promoted him to True Commander before bringing him here to the Scrolls Room,

it proved that the answers he sought were above the Deputy Commander level.

Thus, Xiao Yi headed straight for the deepest shelves.

He quickly retrieved and read through one scroll after another.

With each scroll he picked up, his expression grew grimmer.

When he finally stopped, his face had turned deathly cold.

Because Bai Mohan's influence had extended through nearly thirty-six counties.

Of course, excluding Wanshan County, Flame County, and the East Six Counties.

The influence in the other counties was extremely weak.

The Commandery Princes there had not been corrupted but had been suppressing and containing it, so no evil Blood Intent Pill production had occurred.

In the Royal Capital, Bai Mohan's power was alarmingly strong.

Almost every minor and major power in the entire Royal Capital was covertly assisting him.

This extended down to various families in the Royal Capital.

Even one of the Four Great Families was involved.

Up to one sect and two valleys, all participated.

The cornerstone for making Blood Intent Pills, the Soul-locking Chain, etc., came from Blood Mist Valley.

The massive amount of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for making Blood Intent Pills came from Medicine King Valley.

However, not everyone in Medicine King Valley was involved;

only the Mu Family lineage, including Mu Qingyun and several Mu Family Elders, were part of it.

In Blood Mist Valley, the Valley Master, all the elders, and the Young Valley Master were all involved.

In Sky-splitting Sword Sect, aside from the Great Elder, the other Eight Elders were all secretly supportive.

"Crack crack." Xiao Yi's fists clenched audibly.

No wonder the Great Commander had said there was no need to investigate further.

The Flame Martial Guard had already mastered all of Bai Mohan's crimes and evidence.

"Phew." Xiao Yi took a deep breath.

When he left that section of shelves, he casually took a few scrolls that interested him.

Then he walked over to the desk.

"Why?" Xiao Yi asked icily.

"What 'why'?" The Great Commander's aged face showed a slight smile.

"If you're asking me why I don't act against Bai Mohan."

"I think, no further explanation is needed, right?"

"Unless I want to turn the entire Flame Martial Kingdom, including the Royal Capital, upside down."

"Otherwise, how can I move against Bai Mohan?"

Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "I understand that."

"What I'm asking is, why Bai Mohan can garner such extensive support."

The Great Commander smiled and said, "The title of the number one genius of the Royal Capital is not for nothing."

"He can create his own legend and make all the major and minor powers in the Royal Capital admire him."

"Do you think he can be easily dealt with?"

Xiao Yi nodded and asked, "Can't you explain the reasons to me?"

"I also believe that the Great Commander doesn't act against Bai Mohan because Bai Mohan has even stronger figures behind him."

"And these figures are not recorded in any scrolls I can access."

"For example …"

"The Sword Sect Master of Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

Xiao Yi's voice was as cold as frost by the end.

The smile on the Great Commander's face disappeared, replaced by a grave expression.

"You are very intelligent, and your mind is exceptionally shrewd."

"I have seen your restraint just now, and I am very satisfied with it."

"That's why I was willing to promote you to True Commander and bring you here to the Scrolls Room to find answers."

"But, some things I simply cannot tell you."

"It's the same reason again; your clearance is not high enough."

Xiao Yi's face was cold as he said, "Since the Great Commander won't speak, I will investigate on my own."

"I have taken note of all of Bai Mohan's covert forces."

"If I have to, I'll take down all these forces. I want to see who can stop me then."

"That is your freedom, and I cannot stop you," the Great Commander said gravely.

"But, I warn you, if you really do that, even your status as the Strongest Sword Master won't save you."

"One sect and two valleys are not as simple as you think; you cannot withstand the wrath of those elders."

"In the entire Flame Martial Kingdom, among the younger generation, capable of dealing with Bai Mohan and safely withdrawing,"

"there's only one person."

"Who?" Xiao Yi asked gravely.

The Great Commander replied solemnly, "The Demon Hunting Hall Sub-Hall Master, Purple Flame, Yi Xiao."

...

Second Update.