Zhang Kui had a deep impression of Cui Yebai.

An impoverished scholar, with a fallen family background, daring beyond belief, and brave enough to travel the desolate mountain roads alone at night.

Of course, if he hadn't encountered him and Zhu Sheng, he would have already been harmed by the Chang Ghosts driven by Fatty Tiger, who was still a Wild Demon at that time.

That night in the dilapidated temple, full of spirit, he recounted ancient tales over drinks, allowing Zhang Kui to learn about the marvelous and splendid worlds over the vast oceans.

Fatty Tiger sitting beside him also saw it, shook his head, and chuckled, "Isn't this that foolish scholar who dreamt of entrusting his life to the rivers and seas? How did he end up becoming a beggar?"

Bam!

Zhang Kui flicked his forehead with a finger, "Noisy!"

Finished speaking, he stepped forward, lifted his Taoist robe, and squatted down, "Brother Cui, do you still remember Zhang?"

Cui Yebai's eyes were dull, "Hehehe…"

Zhang Kui frowned; under the Cave Abyss Skill, there was no sign of evil disturbance. Fortunately, though his Medical Skill was only at a basic level, he was a good healer. He immediately felt the pulse and diagnosed, muttering:

"Tongue quality, little coating, pulse fine and choppy... Hmm, it's Qi stagnation with phlegm coagulation, blood Qi stagnant, stasis heat intermingled, obstructed spirit orifice..."

Fatty Tiger beside him was confused, "Taoist Master, what's going on?"

Zhang Kui stood up, "Simple, he's sick and lost his mind."

Fatty Tiger clicked his tongue and shook his head, "Alone and wandering, with no skills yet dreaming of carefree solitude, getting sick with no one to care—it's truly asking for death."

"You talk too much!"

Zhang Kui scolded briefly, turned, and walked into a nearby shop, took out silver, and told the shopkeeper to take the scholar in for a bath and settle him, planning to come back for treatment after finishing his task.

Later, riding on Fatty Tiger, he arrived at the Ministry of Justice's gate and said to the guard, "Excuse me, could you call Zheng Quanyou or Guo Huai? I have something to discuss with them."

The guard, seeing this Evil Taoist riding a fierce tiger, knowing he was an Alien, swallowed hard and, tremblingly clasping his hands, said:

"Chief Zheng is coincidentally here, Dao... Taoist Master, please wait a moment."

After saying that, he darted inside.

Soon, Zheng Quanyou hurriedly arrived with Guo Huai, looking visibly surprised, respectfully clasped his hands and said:

"Taoist Zhang, what can I do for you?"

Zhang Kui didn't want to alert the Half-Demon inside, deliberately lowered his voice, and narrated the matter, not mentioning how he discovered it, only describing the person's appearance.

"Hiding in the Ministry of Justice!"

Zheng Quanyou's face was full of horror, without a shred of doubt about Zhang Kui's words, taking a deep breath, his expression turned grave,

"As the Taoist says, that person should be Landlord Li Shiniang; this is of great importance, should I report to Lord Minister first?"

Zhang Kui shook his head impatiently, "Such babbling... What if he runs away?"

Zheng Quanyou's expression was uncertain, gritted his teeth and said:

"Fine, as the Taoist says."

Immediately, he led Zhang Kui into the Ministry of Justice, through the inner hall corridor, heading straight to a small courtyard.

Zhang Kui left Fatty Tiger outside, used the Qi Prohibition Skill to conceal his own Qi Mechanism, followed behind Zheng Quanyou, his robust body not making a sound.

Bang!

The half-shut wooden door was kicked apart, Zhang Kui drew the Lu Li Sword with his backhand and strode in.

"Room inspection, lie down obediently!"

…

Inside the inner hall, Minister of the Ministry of Justice Qiu Shixian was leisurely enjoying tea, with snacks roasting on the warm stove beside him.

While the cold wind howled outside, the room was warm and pleasant.

Speaking of which, the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice is not as glorious as it seems on the surface, with too many concerns and a lot of checks, one mistake might lead to taking the fall.

Not long ago, he narrowly got through the Ghost Rong embassy murder case perilously, and the two Princes were again contending openly and covertly, their rivalry intense; several murder cases had been suppressed by him and muddled through.

Moreover, Wu Siyuan from Qingzhou was returning to the court after three years, judging by the Emperor's intentions, likely to be entrusted with significant responsibilities, and among the Six Departments, it's most likely that he would be replaced.

Hmm... should I make the Wu Family bleed a bit...

Just as he was pondering, the rooftop suddenly collapsed, a figure fell into the room with tiles and snow, and a cold wind roared in.

Amidst the mess, a square-faced man in a red official robe lay on the ground with a bloody head, passed out.

Immediately following, an evil Taoist as strong as a bear fell from the hole in the roof and spat fiercely.

"Still dare to escape, deserves a beating!"

Qiu Shixian dumbly held his teacup. Of course, he knew this person; recently, there were shadows of him in all sorts of turmoil.

However, with the backing of the National Guardian True Man, he dared to cause a ruckus in the Ministry of Justice, acting utterly without restraint.

Thinking of this, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Qiu Shixian's face darkened, "Taoist Zhang, why did you beat my subordinate?"

Zhang Kui glared, grabbing the square-faced man's head, instantly stretching his neck out long, covered densely with scale armor, "Are you familiar with this guy?"

Remnants of the Demon Star Pavilion!

Qiu Shixian was startled, his expression changed immediately, "The Taoist jests, I have no acquaintance with this person."

"Oh..."

Zhang Kui nodded, dragging the half-demon's elongated head as he walked out, then suddenly turned his head, looking suspiciously at Qiu Shixian, his double pupils slightly gleaming.

Qiu Shixian's eyelids trembled,

"I am definitely human!"

Zhang Kui had already used the Cave Abyss Skill to investigate; there was nothing unusual in the other's spine. Hearing this, he laughed heartily,

"Alright, alright, you are human."

Watching Zhang Kui's departing figure, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Qiu Shixian, was so angry that his beard trembled, "What nonsense, does being human need your approval?"

Saying this, he shook his head slightly.

Ever since learning that the Demon Star Pavilion could hide demon qi and blend into human crowds, chaos prevailed within the court, with some even taking the opportunity to falsely accuse others, causing deaths.

This Haojing City is far more fragile than imagined...

Qiu Shixian sighed, then his face suddenly changed. That half-demon seemed to have sent him quite a bit of silver.

No, it must be handled quickly...

Zhang Kui, naturally unaware of what thoughts the officials behind him had, dragged the half-demon out, the half-demon's head clanking on the steps.

After reaching the Grain Avoidance Realm, things were indeed different; this half-demon, also in the Grain Avoidance Realm, couldn't withstand even one move from him. His entire qi mechanism was restrained, preventing even self-detonation.

After exiting the Ministry of Justice's gate, they were met by a battalion from the Astronomical Bureau, led by Yin Bai, who had a look of delight.

A streak of purple swiftly arrived from afar. The National Guardian True Man, the beautiful woman Huo Yu with Double Pupils descended, eyes full of admiration, "Young man, well done, Fellow Daoist Hua Yan indeed has extraordinary vision."

Zhang Kui chuckled, throwing the half-demon over, "Now it's up to the senior's methods."

Indeed, Zhang Kui intentionally chose to capture alive.

Huo Yu with Double Pupils was incredible with illusions, capable of unknowingly entrapping someone in a scenario to reveal their true feelings. Maybe they could uncover clues about other half-demons.

To prevent unexpected situations, the group immediately took the half-demon back to the Astronomical Bureau, and Zhang Kui requested to listen in, which Huo Yu hesitated but did not refuse.

...

Inside the prison cell, the firelight was bright.

Besides Zhang Kui, another National Guardian True Man from the Lake Heart Island, Yellow Eyebrow Monk, had also arrived, while others were ordered to stay outside to guard.

Being in the Grain Avoidance Realm, to prevent self-destruction, the half-demon had his acupuncture points sealed with steel nails inscribed with talismans before Zhang Kui released the Qi Prohibition Skill.

The purple-clad beauty Huo Yu immediately stepped forward, her double pupils emitting a dazzling radiance, even shadows vaguely appeared around her.

Last time in Zhengyang Hall, due to the hasty casting and the astounding willpower of that Demon Star Pavilion leader, she hadn't succeeded.

But this half-demon, clearly had limited ability, soon fell into the illusion realm, eyes full of excitement and tears, murmuring to himself:

"Mother, Mother, is that you... life has been hard for Pilar, I still wish to eat mother's rapeseed cakes..."

Zhang Kui, beside him, was secretly alarmed. Huo Yu's illusion skill could indeed draw out the deepest corners of one's heart, truly indefensible.

However, the Earth Demon 72 Techniques also included a Dream Marrying Skill, capable of crafting dreams or freely entering and exiting, potentially stronger than Huo Yu's illusions.

But his skill points were limited, so he could only leave it for later.

The illusion realm unfolded another scene. Without Huo Yu needing to speak, the half-demon muttered and continued,

"Mother, Pilar later joined the Demon Suppression Bureau and was eventually selected into the Demon Star Pavilion... though gaining a demon body... nightmares haunted constantly..."

"Mother, I have eaten humans, they taste good, but I still long for your rapeseed cakes..."

Beside him, Huo Yu and Yellow Eyebrow Monk's expressions were grave.

The Demon Suppression Bureau and Demon Star Pavilion were agencies of the Great Yu Dynasty, akin to the Qian Dynasty's Astronomical Bureau.

But how did these people last a thousand years without perishing, their memory seemingly stuck in the Great Yu period...

Meanwhile, Zhang Kui squinted his eyes,

the Underworld...

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