The City Lord of Xuanci, as the Territory Governor of a region, not only held jurisdiction over Xuanci Immortal City but also the surrounding villages and towns, as well as numerous sects and clans.
Yugang Mountain naturally fell within his jurisdiction as well.
Although he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator and, as a Lord Prefect, oversaw a region and could barely be considered as half of a high-ranking territorial official, he still found Meng Zizhong, who was at the Golden Core Level, to be quite thorny to deal with.
In the pugilistic world, it was vital to consider one's background and power.
In this regard, the Righteous Path was even more pronounced than the Demon Path.
It would be very easy to take down Meng Zizhong, and the Prefect of Xuanci could do it effortlessly. He didn't need to personally take action; a single command would suffice to make Meng Zizhong bow his head.
The difficulty lay in Meng Zizhong's background.
The Meng Family!
This was one of the founding noble families of the Southern Bean Kingdom.
The Prefect of Xuanci was a Loose Cultivator by origin and, though he had a clan, the help he received was minimal. In reality, it was by his own efforts alone that he supported his clan.
He was well aware that even the Zhu Royal Family would need to be careful and considerate when dealing with a heavy minister like the Meng Family, focusing on methods and timing. What more for him?
"You want to report Meng Zizhong for fostering soldiers and harboring rebels? Just this evidence alone isn't enough," the Prefect of Xuanci shook his head, clearly attempting to push away the issue.
Ning Zhuo smiled, "Lord Prefect, I understand your dilemma. Rest assured, my visit isn't meant to trouble you."
"You only need to submit a report, and I believe the Zhu Royal Family will surely respond immediately. At that time, you just need to follow orders and take action."
"Of course, I could also directly contact Lord Zhu Xuanji. However, upon reflection, I thought that escalating the matter would seem to show disrespect towards a superior such as yourself. It must be known that although I am young, I am also the Clan Leader of a branch family of the Ning Clan. Naturally, I must set an example and abide by regulations."
The corner of the Prefect of Xuanci's eye twitched, as he sarcastically thought, "You little rascal, just escalate the matter then! If I can't hear or see it, wouldn't I be spared this awkward situation right now?"
The heart of the Prefect was filled with helplessness.
From this brief exchange, he had come to understand that Ning Zhuo was not to be trifled with! This young fellow was well-versed in the rules of the Righteous Path and had to be taken seriously as an opponent.
"Wait here for a moment, this official will go and make the report." The Prefect of Xuanci left Ning Zhuo outside the door and turned to return to his study, using an urgent channel to report the case.
Ning Zhuo stood outside the study, not wandering around aimlessly. He stood still, without any signs of unease, calm and composed.
From the beginning, he knew that the Prefect of Xuanci was unable to make decisions, unreliable.
His visit here was merely to use this Nascent Soul Cultivator as a messenger.
What Ning Zhuo truly relied on was the Zhu Royal Family!
Of course, even if the Prefect of Xuanci was just a messenger, he inevitably became involved. He really did not want to wade into this muddy water, but there was no other way. It was as if he was sitting at home, and the calamity had arrived from the heavens.
Over the years, it had become increasingly difficult for the Zhu Royal Family of the Southern Bean Kingdom to maintain their control over the kingdom.
The Monarch had carefully selected the Prefect of Xuanci, supported him, and enabled him to preside over Xuanci Immortal City, which was no easy task. This was accomplished on the court amidst frequent skirmishes with major ministers, forging alliances, suppressing enemies, and just barely succeeding by seizing the opportunities.
The Prefect of Xuanci was an efficient and reliable subordinate of the Zhu Family's control over their territory. At this moment, he suddenly used the urgent communication channel to convey a crucial case, which immediately garnered the attention of the Monarch.
The matter of Meng Zizhong seemed trivial, but in fact, it concerned the power play between the Meng Family and the Zhu Family.
"It's that Ning Zhuo again?" the Monarch sighed. "True to the Son of Destiny, wherever he goes, he stirs up waves."
The Monarch frowned. She did not really want to handle this matter, and found it quite troublesome.
Because if not handled properly, the Zhu Family would clash fiercely with the Meng Family. While the Zhu Family's strength was certainly greater than that of the Meng Family, the Southern Bean Kingdom was not just comprised of the Meng Family; there were also the Su Family and other prominent ministers and generals.
If the Zhu Family was to overly deplete its strength on the Meng Family, revealing any sign of weakness, greater risks would emerge.
As the Monarch of a country, she needed to judge the situation carefully and not overlook any risks.
"The Prefect of Xuanci cannot be relied upon," the Southern Bean King decided first and foremost.
She needed to protect this rare local stalwart, not allowing him to be easily embroiled in the confrontation between the Royal Family and the Meng Family.
Therefore, the Southern Bean King needed to find someone trustworthy and capable of withstanding any possible backlash from the Meng Family.
Soon, the Southern Bean King thought of a candidate.
Zhu Xuanji sped through the sky.
He was like a golden rainbow, piercing through the heavens.
"In half a day, I will arrive at the mysterious Immortal City. By transferring through it, I can significantly shorten the journey and quickly return to the capital."
Just as he was contemplating this, Zhu Xuanji's expression suddenly changed, and the token in his chest trembled slightly.
He was not far from the Immortal City, thus he received the Royal Family's urgent decree transmitted from there.
"I am to go to Xuanci Immortal City to handle an urgent task?"
Upon closer inspection, his face darkened.
All because he saw a name that he did not wish to see.
"Ning Zhuo?!"
"What's this boy up to in Xuanci Immortal City?"
"Black Wind Tiger Demon, Meng Zizhong..."
Zhu Xuanji's face lit up with realization as he understood the intention behind the Royal Family's order to divert his journey mid-way.
He sighed and continued onward—with the help of the strange Immortal City, he could be transported across long distances and arrive directly at Xuanci Immortal City.
That very night, Zhu Xuanji met again with Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong in the Government Office of the Prefect Xuanci.
After reviewing the footage, Zhu Xuanji stated bluntly, "This evidence isn't enough to prove that Meng Zizhong and Black Wind Tiger Demon have been in private contact. He could simply claim that he sensed a murderous intent from the cultivator Shisui and decided to strike first."
"Besides that, there are all sorts of excuses, however preposterous, that he might utilize."
Sun Lingtong said, "With Lord Divine Hunter taking action, tracing back to the origins and scrutinizing with Golden Eyes, are we still worried about not finding his guilt and leverage?"
Zhu Xuanji frowned, saying nothing.
Prefect Xuanci shook his head slightly, "The trouble with this matter lies in the fact that we've found evidence!"
"Harboring a renegade within, that's a serious crime, particularly since it's related to the death of the former town mayor—it's an outright breach of the bottom line, an attack on a court official."
"Without adequate preparation for a full-scale confrontation against the Meng Family, we can't launch such an attack rashly."
Such heinous crimes were not something the Meng Family would readily admit to, as the charges were too severe. Should they truly confess, the fallout on the Meng Family would be incredibly grave.
And once the accusation was publicized, the Zhu Family would be stuck in a difficult situation. Failing to bring the criminal to justice would utterly expose the vulnerability of the Royal Zhu Family, stoking the rebellious hearts of the other major families and clans!
In that scenario, the situation would evolve into a full confrontation between the Zhu Family and the Meng Family. Even if the Zhu Family emerged victorious, they would likely suffer substantial damage to their vital energy. And the intense conflict would allow other major families and clans to profit from the chaos.
Ning Zhuo smiled, having anticipated this, "My Ning Family and the Zhu Family share the same interests. If the Zhu Family and the Meng Family were to engage in a major conflict, we would be the first to suffer."
"After all, Meng Kui is still the current Lord of Persimmon Fire City."
"There's no need to implicate Meng Zizhong in the grave crime of harboring a renegade this time. Just bring him down from his position, have our people take control of Yugang Mountain, and that'll be sufficient."
"Meng Zizhong is still under the command of Lord Prefect here, which is a potential risk. Pulling him down would benefit you, Lord Prefect, as well as the Royal Zhu Family, wouldn't it?"
This struck right at the heart of Prefect Xuanci, who took a deep look at Ning Zhuo, his estimation of him rising further still.
Zhu Xuanji scoffed, pointing at Ning Zhuo, "I knew you'd have your own plans, boy. Out with them."
Ning Zhuo then outlined his strategy.
The three cultivators listened intently, with Sun Lingtong exclaiming it was an excellent plan and Zhu Xuanji slightly nodding in agreement.
Prefect Xuanci took another good look at Ning Zhuo. He had to admit, the young man had made quite an impression.
The plan seemed simple, yet the understanding and manipulation of human nature were of an intricate degree.
Ordinarily, at the age of sixteen or seventeen, one should be naive and romantic, easily moved and impulsive, but the young man before him seemed like an old soul who had delved deep into the world, experienced the ups and downs of bureaucracy, the cunning of human nature, and had a deeply calculated and impenetrable mind.
"He still has untested innate talents... his future is boundless." Realizing this, Prefect Xuanci couldn't help feeling a sense of closeness to Ning Zhuo.
After concluding their discussion, the four began to take action.
Days later, when Meng Zizhong saw the reports in his hands, he was enraged, "Investigate, I want to know who's spreading these rumors!"
A rumor had recently become the talk of the town, pointing directly at Meng Zizhong, alleging he secretly funded the Black Wind Tiger Demon and was the true mastermind behind the former town mayor's death. Meng Zizhong was accused of harboring an enemy for personal gain, with an ambition to conspire!
But all bans and investigations were futile. Instead, they only caused the rumors to spread wider and spawn various versions.
One particular rumor even disclosed the Black Wind Tiger Demon's hiding place in Mist Hidden Mountain, which alarmed Meng Zizhong.
Not daring to be complacent, he sent a message back to the Meng Family, merely mentioning the rumors circulating in Yugang Town.
The Meng Family was instantly on high alert, knowing that someone was stirring the waters behind the scenes. Unable to trace the source and to prevent a long night full of dreams where evidence might be dug up, they decisively chose to sacrifice the pawn to save the chariot!
Meng Zizhong stationed himself in the barracks, began to mobilize the troops, and actively prepared for war.
Standing on the Command Platform, Meng Zizhong shouted loudly, "I, upon facing danger, took charge here and have always been diligent and thorough in training the troops."
"I have sent out scouts continuously, and finally, we have results—we've located the hideout of the Black Wind Tiger Demon. Yet there are demon spies within the town stirring up trouble, spreading rumors, attempting to incite internal strife to delay our military's attack and buy time for the demon's escape."
"Hmph! As if I would fall for such a trick? This time, I'll personally lead the army, vowing revenge and hatred, bravely fighting the enemy, eradicating the devils, and restoring the clear skies of Yugang Town!"
"Brave warriors, follow me into battle, cut down all that's demonic, and create a peaceful and prosperous era!"
The stationed troops responded in unison, their morale fully mobilized.
They set out immediately, marching in neat order into the Transmission Array.
The Transmission Array was activated frequently, transporting the town's troops directly to the vicinity of Mist Hidden Mountain.
Consequently, the commotion could no longer be concealed and was discovered by the Black Wind Tiger Demon's group.
With eyes bloodshot, the Tiger Demon roared in fury and, leading a group of Demon Cultivators, charged out of the valley straight towards the military formation!