Chapter Forty-Five: The Falcon

The owner of that voice was naturally Zhang Guodong, the one who arrived like timely rain to quench the raging fire of anger in the hall.

Though the martial artists might not know him personally, they were well aware of the imperial supervisory departments, and Zhang Guodong was the official in charge of this particular branch.

“All this fighting and killing—do you think this is your lawless world? Is there no law in modern society? Zhao Zheng, your Zhao family is bold indeed, brazenly ignoring the rules!” Zhang Guodong was no longer coughing; his voice was loud and steady, every word clear to everyone present.

Zhao Zheng’s face was dark, utterly frustrated.

He’d come here seeking amusement, but instead found nothing but humiliation. Even his attempt to vent his anger by killing Xiaotian Jiang was thwarted, and now Zhang Guodong had appeared out of nowhere.

Regardless of Zhang Guodong’s personal strength, he had the entire imperial court standing behind him—who would dare challenge the court? Not even the Zhao family would risk it!

So, after a long hesitation, Zhao Zheng forced himself to speak, suppressing his fury: “Master Zhang, you say that killing is against the law—well, Xiaotian Jiang killed Chen Yu. Is that not illegal?”

Zhang Guodong feigned shock, though it was clearly theatrical. “Chen Yu is dead? Good! Serves him right! Now we have all the evidence and witnesses we need. He was suspected of murdering nearly forty young girls through martial arts—forty blossoming lives, forty once-happy families! Tell me, did he not deserve to die? He was bound for the death penalty, and now we’re spared the trouble of capturing him.”

Zhao Zheng was stunned, but still refused to accept it. “Why? So Xiaotian Jiang can just kill people at will? What gives him the right?”

Zhang Guodong clicked his tongue. “Young Master Zhao, why won’t you listen? First of all, both parties signed a life-and-death agreement. And didn’t I tell you just now? Xiaotian is one of our court’s people!”

He patted Xiaotian Jiang’s shoulder. “Allow me to introduce him—he’s not Chen Yu’s junior apprentice; he’s a member of my Falcon Team, sent here to investigate Chen Yu. But this boy has a compassionate heart—when he found out Chen Yu had drained his own disciple’s martial strength in a reckless attempt to break through to Inner Strength, he disobeyed orders and took action!”

Upon hearing this, those who had supported Chen Yu were visibly moved, and many now regretted their earlier stance. Their gazes toward Xiaotian Jiang carried apology.

“You adults, ganging up on a child—what sort of heroism is that? I am the Falcon Team leader. Xiaotian Jiang did violate regulations by killing Chen Yu, and he will be punished. But tell me, does he not have the right?”

Zhang Guodong’s righteous words left the fence-sitters feeling utterly ashamed.

Those who had feared Chen Yu and the Zhao family now openly switched sides: “We all heard of Chen Yu’s deeds, but Master Zhang, you know his peculiar temper. We all have families, so we dared not oppose him. Now, I say Xiaotian Jiang did right—he truly rid society of evil!”

Once someone voiced support, the tide instantly shifted to Xiaotian Jiang. Soon, voices echoed that Chen Yu deserved death and Xiaotian Jiang should not be punished.

People accepted Xiaotian Jiang’s identity and understood why the two had suddenly become enemies.

After all, the imperial court’s word was trusted; no one suspected deception.

Many now looked at Xiaotian Jiang with admiration and praise.

So young, already serving the court, enduring such misunderstanding with patience—his temperament promised a limitless future!

Xiaotian Jiang was both amused and exasperated. Zhang Guodong hadn’t lied—he really had joined the court, which explained the eagle insignia and the Falcon Team name, though he still didn’t know exactly what his role entailed. He expected Zhang Guodong would clarify things once the event concluded.

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Zhao Zheng was so furious he nearly ground his teeth to dust. Eyes bloodshot, fists clenched, he shot Xiaotian Jiang a glare. Seeing the latter’s smug expression nearly made him lose his breath.

But at last, he calmed himself with a deep breath. “Fine, this time I’ve lost. But Xiaotian Jiang, you took something you shouldn’t have. I’ll get it back. Remember me—we’ll meet again. Farewell!”

Zhao Zheng knew there was nothing he could do today. Staying any longer would only bring more shame. Without a backward glance, he led his followers out.

Zhang Guodong waved his hand.

Immediately, a petite figure peeked out from behind him. “Brother Tian! Amazing! You really killed Chen Yu!”

The girl with large eyes and round-framed glasses could only be Qin Lulu.

Zhang Guodong had been thoughtful, fearing Xiaotian Jiang might be injured, so he had brought Qin Lulu.

After a quick examination, Qin Lulu was astonished—Xiaotian Jiang was completely unscathed!

His clothes were torn and tattered, making him look like a beggar, but not so much as a scratch marred his skin.

Xiaotian Jiang let her fuss over him, and before long, Qin Lulu gave him a thumbs-up. “I’m impressed! You’re really completely fine!”

Having spent recent days eating and drinking with Xiaotian Jiang, they were already familiar, so he joked with her in return.

Zhang Guodong, however, was more serious. He cast a discreet glance at Liu Changsheng, who nodded and withdrew.

The organizers dared not delay now, hurriedly announcing Xiaotian Jiang as the winner. If he declined the opportunity to join the Zhao family, he would receive a cash prize of one million.

Xiaotian Jiang was dumbfounded!

He was a money lover, born in poverty, and no one had told him he could win a million.

Without hesitation, he chose the money.

Of course, others didn’t see him as greedy—only that he had backbone and looked down on the Zhao family, reluctantly settling for cash.

Representatives from smaller families rushed to befriend him, and many young women were clearly smitten.

It was legendary to defeat an Inner Strength master with only External Strength—an unbelievable feat!

And his eerie return from apparent death—though, knowing he was a court agent, it seemed less mysterious.

For some time to come, Xiaotian Jiang would be the subject of martial artists’ conversations, his name echoing through Linhai, known to all.

As Xiaotian Jiang finished dealing with the aftermath and dusk fell, people sensed that Zhang Guodong had business with him and soon departed, leaving only a few relevant parties.

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Ling’er was sensible, staying below and watching quietly.

Xiaotian Jiang wanted to go up and speak with her, share in his joy; now that he’d come to his senses, he was truly excited.

But Zhang Guodong quickly cleared the hall, then grabbed Qin Lulu as she tried to slip away. “Xiaotian Jiang, your captain put in a lot of effort for you this time. From now on, we’re family. Help me keep an eye on Lulu—she’s your Falcon Team medic. If you’re injured, she’ll patch you up.”

Xiaotian Jiang was still confused, but Zhang Guodong didn’t hide anything anymore and explained directly.

The Falcon Team was no secret organization. In fact, it was public—a weapon of the imperial court, deployed at will, specializing in rogue martial artists who defied the law.

It could be said that only thanks to the Falcon Team, the world hadn’t been thrown into chaos by martial artists.

Thus, when Zhang Guodong announced Xiaotian Jiang as a Falcon member, no one dared question his right to kill Chen Yu.

But the Falcon Team had more than one division; Xiaotian Jiang had joined the newest batch, a force comprised mainly of young martial artists.

Having heard all this, Xiaotian Jiang understood, but also realized he’d been tricked.

The court’s name was not so easily borrowed; from now on, any problems that arose, he’d have to be the first to deal with them.

“No way, I won’t do it! Master Zhang, you never told me the Falcon Team worked for the court!” he protested.

But Zhang Guodong was humane, nodding. “Alright, I won’t force you. Someone, cuff him and take him away—he’s committed murder and must go to prison.”

Terrified, Xiaotian Jiang quickly retreated. “No, please! I’ll join! I’m Falcon! Serving the court is my honor!”

His words were empty, but he had no choice.

Zhang Guodong kept smiling; everything was firmly in his grasp.

“Besides Lulu, you’ll have other teammates, but for now, saving people is the priority. We’ll discuss the rest later.”

Xiaotian Jiang was taken aback. He pulled out that martial arts manual from his pocket, then suddenly remembered Zhao Zheng’s parting words and realized what had happened.

“Oh no! The other martial arts manual is still with Zhao Zheng!”

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