Chapter 43

The soldier did not use polite or respectful language, nor was he domineering; he was just doing his duty. At this moment, a shout echoed through the streets: "By the order of the general, the gate is sealed today."

Looking out the window, a horse galloped down the central road, a soldier holding a flag, shouting as he rode.

The diners on the second floor were abuzz with speculation: "Capturing spies?"

"There are no spies in Zhen Tian Pass. It must be a notorious bandit."

"Look at the woman's delicate features. I don't think so."

"The abbot of Tianlong Temple outside the pass was full of Buddha's light, but who knew he was a lecher who ruined the purity of many virtuous women? One cannot judge a person by their appearance. But the last time he was captured, it was also at Zhen Tian Pass, and the gate wasn't sealed. It seems this woman must be extraordinary."

Lin Fan looked at the '禁' (jin) character in his palm and inwardly groaned. The power of the Heaven and Earth Reversal Seal only lasted for two hours, and this ability couldn't be used continuously. According to Ximen Shuai, it could only be used again after twelve hours. Why? This was determined through calculations... Ximen Shuai himself didn't understand, he was just familiar with the technique of Heaven and Earth Reversal, not its principles.

With the gate sealed, once the two hours were up, the disciples of the Demon Sect inside Zhen Tian Pass would immediately know there were two cultivators inside the pass, which would be troublesome. Hmm? If you think about it... The Heaven and Earth Reversal technique is a secret method of the Demon Sect. This woman is most likely a member of the Demon Sect. Yes, let's deduce further. This woman is trying to use the Heaven and Earth Reversal technique to enter the pass and leave Xi Zhou. The Demon Sect received the report and immediately sealed the gate, then other disciples ambushed outside the pass to surround Zhen Tian Pass, making it impossible for her to escape.

Why would they want to capture this woman? Lin Fan could guess a part of it. The Demon Sect's internal management is based on Legalist principles, with strict rules. From the Demon Lord to the disciples, everyone is bound by these rules. So, when a few disciples violate serious rules, they immediately flee because they know their actions cannot be pardoned. Some of these fugitives, out of desperation, enter the desolate wasteland and join some evil sects, while more choose to leave the Demon Sect's sphere of influence in Xi Zhou and become wanderers. Generally, the Demon Sect only apprehends renegade disciples internally and does not involve the righteous sects. The Demon Sect also has specialized teams to hunt these people down. However, to mobilize civilian forces to seal the gate and search, the identity of the person must be extraordinary, either a highly skilled cultivator, a serious criminal, or someone who has stolen the Demon Sect's treasures.

Although Ximen Shuai stole the Blood-Crying Sword, he was the only disciple of the former Demon Lord and followed the Demon Sect's rules, so the Demon Sect did not issue a full-scale manhunt for him across Xi Zhou, nor did they target him specifically.

"What should we do?" A voice appeared near Lin Fan. Lin Fan looked beyond the screen and saw a handsome scholar. The scholar turned and saw Lin Fan, and bowed: "Sir, please forgive me... May I ask if you have a pass?"

"Yes!" Lin Fan nodded. Pedestrians did not need a pass to enter and exit freely, but goods transport required a pass for tax purposes. Ximen Shuai was well-prepared and had the pass ready. However, with the gate sealed, the pass was useless.

The scholar nodded and said, "I apologize for the disturbance, sir."

"Sure." Lin Fan nodded politely in response and then ignored him, starting to eat.

...

After the meal, Lin Fan and Ximen Shuai returned to the carriage. Ximen Shuai still looked unhappy. Lin Fan said, "Let's talk about the real issue. What should we do now? I, a disciple of a prestigious sect, cannot be seen with a criminal wanted by the Demon Sect."

Ximen Shuai frowned, "It's not easy. Evil sect members usually enter the pass by crossing the Ten Thousand Mile Mountains, but it's very dangerous with all the monsters there. On the other side is the Demon Mountain, which we can't enter. And the Zhen Tian Pass has a Demon Sect array. This array won't harm people, but it will definitely alert the main array controller to the presence of cultivators. I always used the Heaven and Earth Reversal technique to pass through Zhen Tian Pass when leaving Xi Zhou. I didn't expect the gate to be sealed today."

Lin Fan pondered, "The only way is to help the Demon Sect capture the woman in the portrait within an hour, and then the gate will be reopened."

"Hmph, why should I help the Demon Sect?" Ximen Shuai retorted, "Why be afraid? We can just force our way through." Ximen Shuai was still worried about Lin Fan. He had a good chance of breaking through, but Lin Fan would most likely be intercepted. Without Lin Fan's help, no one would restrain the disciples of the Purple-Eyed Sect who serve the thousand-year-old fox demon.

Lin Fan pointed, "Hey? How can those carriages still leave the pass?"

Ximen Shuai watched several carriages pass inspection and leave the pass, and said, "I'll go and find out."

Soon, Ximen Shuai returned, happy, "The gate is only sealed for pedestrians, not for goods. Since we have a pass, we can go through."

Lin Fan asked, "Isn't the gate sealed?"

"Xi Zhou is a place of Legalist principles. Pedestrians can leave the pass freely without any fees, but sealing the gate for one day causes merchants to lose money. Unless there is an enemy situation, merchants can pass without hindrance."

Lin Fan asked disdainfully, "You didn't know this before?"

"How could I know? I've only left once, to Little Dongzhou." Ximen Shuai said, "I disguised myself as a scholar and entered the pass on a merchant's carriage."

At this, the scholar from the tavern approached the carriage, "Greetings, sirs."

Ximen Shuai didn't move, but Lin Fan politely returned the bow. The scholar asked, "My father is gravely ill. Could you please take me out of the pass?" He then took out a gold ingot, "Please do me this favor. My father only wants to see me one last time."

Ximen Shuai was a bit suspicious, but since they were leaving the pass, not entering, it was unlikely the scholar was a wanted person by the Demon Sect. Seeing Lin Fan's willingness to do a favor, the righteous person... indeed, Lin Fan said, "I can't accept the gold ingot, but you're welcome to come along." Filial piety is the foremost virtue, so of course he would help.

Ximen Shuai drove the carriage, and Lin Fan sat behind him. The scholar got in and sat next to Lin Fan, looking at the goods in the carriage. Lin Fan said, "Let's go."

Sooner or later, he would have to beat him up. Ximen Shuai, who couldn't stand Lin Fan's commanding tone, started driving the horses, and the carriage slowly moved toward the gate. At this moment, the scholar's hand... no, it was too friendly, placed on Lin Fan's shoulder, and his left sleeve extended, seemingly hugging Lin Fan's neck. The scholar's voice, soft and feminine, said, "Don't leave the pass, turn to Xi Zhou."

Lin Fan lowered his head slightly, and a dagger pressed against his throat. Damn, they're being robbed... No, damn, this person is a woman, most likely the woman wanted by the Demon Sect.

As Lin Fan hesitated, the dagger stabbed into his thigh. Lin Fan tried to shout but was silenced by the scholar's hand. The scholar said, "Don't shout, or I won't be gentle. Understand?"

Lin Fan nodded, and the scholar's left sleeve dropped a pill, which was crushed and sprinkled on Lin Fan's thigh wound, stopping the bleeding. The scholar said, "Go."

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