Chapter 1616: Chapter 845: Dragon King Temple (Part 3) "This... it’s hard to explain..." Ye Hong sighed, realizing it wasn’t the time to talk, he said, "Mr. Xiao has official duties, so I won’t disturb you too much. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I will fulfill my duty as a host and entertain Mr. Xiao properly." Xiao Tianquan clasped his fists, "Thank you, Elder Ye." The relationship between the two seemed quite good. Gu Changhuai saw this and didn’t mind. The cultivators of the Taoist Court had their official duties, but privately, they couldn’t avoid having some personal connections. After Ye Hong left, Xiao Tianquan reported: "The matters with the Xia Official and Supervisor Gu are all dealt with." "The fire was extinguished, the cultivators who fell into the water were rescued as much as possible, but those who couldn’t be saved, perished in the Water Demon’s mouth." "Those injured by the Formation explosion were treated with pills, and along with others, were bound by the Spirit-binding Lock, restrained on the Taoist Court’s ship to be identified before further action upon return." "Some key figures were also apprehended and documented." "However, Water Yama has disappeared..." Xiao Tianquan’s expression was somewhat solemn. While speaking, another person appeared outside the door. This person wore the Taoist Court Canon robe, his aura was deep, his steps steady, also a Golden Core Cultivator, but his eyes squinted slightly, with a smile on his face, though it felt a bit forced and incongruous. This person was Master Xiao. Mo Hua previously gave him a nickname, "Smiling Tiger." Master Xiao entered the room, exchanged simple greetings with Gu Changhuai and Xia Official, then said: "I’ve inquired and investigated a bit, there is a Golden Core on this ship." "This Golden Core Cultivator, surnamed Xie, first name Liu, was previously an Inner Gate Instructor of the Gui Water Sect, with considerable experience. With a few more years, he could have been promoted to ’Elder’." "But he was closely associated with the Sever Gold Sect and was previously involved in a case linked to the direct lineage of the Sever Gold Sect." "This case wasn’t too big nor too small, but it was still a wrongdoing, bringing shame to the Gui Water Sect. As a result, Xie Liu was expelled from the Sect." "Unexpectedly, even after being expelled, he secretly continued to do these dirty jobs." "Truly... an unfortunate Sect..." Master Xiao squinted his eyes and sighed. Gu Changhuai’s expression was slightly odd. He knew in his heart, Xie Liu might be doing dirty work, but this dirty work was originally the Gui Water Sect’s; frankly, the Gui Water Sect was indeed dirtier. But since they were all Court Officials, some formal words of courtesy must be said. "This Xie Liu seems to have escaped..." Master Xiao continued, "I used torture, interrogated a few people, and acquired some leads from their mouths." "According to them, Rouge Boat was secretly set up with a Formation by someone unknown, then suddenly exploded, the fire spreading rapidly. The Golden Core Xie Liu, along with the wanted ’Water Yama’, took three young cultivators towards the depths of the thick fog..." Gu Changhuai frowned, "Abducting..." He glanced at Xia Official, the two exchanged looks, both faces were slightly solemn. "Xie Liu must be brought to justice, and Water Yama cannot be allowed to escape again. How about this? I and Supervisor Gu will pursue them, while here at the Rouge Boat, I will trouble Master Xiao to help with the aftermath." Xia Official said. "This course of action is good, but," Master Xiao squinted, showing no emotion on his face, but his tone was slightly worried: "You two going alone might not be safe... Xie Liu is dishonest, and Water Yama is cunning, both are tough to deal with." "Moreover, they are headed towards the depths of the fog, indicating that there might be a sanctuary for heretical demon in the dense mist, possibly hiding other Golden Core Evil Cultivitors; it’s not impossible..." Master Xiao quickly added, "Of course, Xia Official and Supervisor Gu have profound cultivation, intelligence and courage, and are outstanding talents in the Taoist Court, naturally fearless of these heretical demons." "But precisely because of this, if something goes wrong or there’s any mishap, it would be a significant loss for our Qianxue Court Tribunal. Please proceed cautiously and reconsider..." Master Xiao had spent many years in the Taoist Court, and his skills in speaking were evident. Xia Official then said, "In your view, Master Xiao, what should be done?" Master Xiao pondered, "Since this is the case, why don’t... I go along with you two? Though fighting a rabbit might require full strength, with three Golden Cores joining forces, even if Xie Liu and Water Yama had three heads and six arms, they couldn’t create much havoc..." Xia Official had some concerns, "But, what about the Rouge Boat..." Master Xiao replied, "The matter of the Rouge Boat is already settled, the Taoist Court will send people to take over, the subsequent matters are trivial, no need for us to worry." "On the contrary, the situation with Xie Liu is urgent, if we don’t pursue soon, I’m afraid we’ll miss them." Xia Official thought for a moment before slowly nodding. Under such circumstances, indeed, it’s better if the three of them go. Moreover, Xia Official knew, although Master Xiao was showing great respect, in terms of position, they were all Court Officials, and outwardly she led because of the face provided by the Xia family. In reality, she didn’t have the authority to dictate to other Court Officials. Master Xiao showed such humility, giving plenty of face, she couldn’t refuse easily. "Alright, let’s go together to apprehend Xie Liu and Water Yama together." Xia Official said. And as soon as she spoke, Xiao Tianquan also clasped his hands saying: "Xia Official, I am incompetent but would like to go as well." "You?" Xia Official was slightly stunned. Xiao Tianquan stated righteously: "Water Yama is extremely wicked; everyone should eradicate him. Last time he got away, I couldn’t eat or sleep in peace. This time I will ensure he is brought to justice, please approve this, Official." Xia Official looked at Xiao Tianquan, recalled her uncle’s instructions before coming, and nodded: "Alright, you may go." "Yes." Xiao Tianquan clasped his hands. Gu Changhuai thought Xiao Tianquan was eager to earn merits and did not mind. But Master Xiao, on the side, showed a hint of indifference and also some hostility when looking at Xiao Tianquan. The Taoist Court then prepared the Spirit Boat. Gu Changhuai, Xia Official, along with the Xiao family’s Master Xiao and Xiao Tianquan, together boarded the Spirit Boat headed toward the depths of the mist. As they moved, Master Xiao, who always squinted and smiled forcibly, turned his head to glance at the wreckage, blood mixed with fire, the Rouge Boat still not burned out, his eyes slightly opened. In his eyes lay a sea of blood. Strands of Evil Qi flowed within. ... Within the Dragon King Temple. Mo Hua and his party continued to walk into the temple. The temple was spacious, with high walls and flying eaves, quite imposing. However, along the way, it was empty and dead quiet, without any sound. Water Yama and Xie Liu felt increasingly uneasy. Even Mo Hua felt a twinge of unease in his heart. They walked all the way to a large hall, Water Yama hesitated for a moment, stepped forward, knocked on the door, and said: "Mr. Witch, I brought ’offerings’." There was no response from inside. "Mr. Witch?" Water Yama frowned. "Where is everyone in the temple? Where have they gone?" "Mr. Witch, are you here?" "Mr. Witch..." Water Yama’s voice grew lower, and his mood became more solemn. At that moment, there was a sound of something dripping. Water Yama’s expression stiffened, quickly withdrew a few steps, moving away from his spot. Simultaneously, something fell from the beam above, crashed to the ground. Everyone looked intently. It was a bloody corpse.