Da Xuan Martial Saint

In the quiet deep of night, the Black Crow Sect lost an ordinary member, which didn't raise any alarm.

Or rather, the Black Crow Sect's residence was just like any common household. When Chen Mu returned, he still saw nothing unusual; it was all in pitch darkness without a candlelight in sight, nor any suspicious movements.

Chen Mu took another person out for questioning but still, he met with responses of ignorance. He then knew that most likely all the people living in this area were the same, and even if he questioned each one, there would probably be no one with information—perhaps those in the know were no longer here.

But.

From the second person, Chen Mu learned something; to these ordinary members of the Black Crow Sect, it was common for higher-ups, even Protectors and Vice Sect Hierarchs, to mysteriously vanish and reappear without warning.

This was not some bizarre world where people simply appear and disappear out of thin air. Chen Mu immediately surmised that there must be hidden passages or chambers beneath the Black Crow Sect's compound.

The ordinary member, however, was utterly clueless about this.

"No wonder all the people the Red Gold Gang sent to investigate the Black Crow Sect disappeared into thin air."

Chen Mu's expression became thoughtful.

Thereupon.

Having made up his mind, he no longer wandered around but knelt discreetly in the corner of a high rooftop, waiting quietly. He did not know how much time passed until the sky began to brighten with the first light of dawn.

At last, on the western side of the Black Crow Sect's residence in a very secluded courtyard, there suddenly came a disturbance. A number of figures wearing the Sect's black robes rustled as they emerged from a house.

Chen Mu had already scouted that yard before and had been certain that no one was inside. Now, suddenly, a dozen or more people appeared out of nowhere, and they were clearly high-ranking members of the Sect, such as Protectors and Vice Sect Hierarchs. The abnormality was obviously there.

...

Chen Mu just stole a glance, memorized the location of that courtyard, and then quietly slipped away. Making use of the still-dim light, he leapt away and vanished amidst the Black Crow Sect's compound.

Because he was far away and exceedingly cautious, without making any sound, none of the high-ranking members who had emerged from the courtyard noticed him, even as they spoke quietly among themselves while walking.

"...Someone from Wutong Grove District was captured last night, a spy for the Government. The City Defense Division seems to be onto us now, so be more careful in your actions moving forward. If you end up in the hands of the Government, you know what to do."

The Protectors exchanged glances, their eyes all numb and vacant.

The Vice Sect Hierarch continued in a grave voice, "Keep a close eye on Ninth District too. If the Government makes any significant moves, we may abandon this place, but we cannot reveal the location of the Main Altar. Just give us a little more time. Once the Protector descends, the entire Outer City will belong to us.

With the power to take everyone down with us, even the powerful figures in the Inner City won't be able to do anything to us."

"All for the Black Crow God..."

The Protectors murmured in their numb tone, then scattered and exited the courtyard.

...

The existence of something substantial beneath the Black Crow Sect's compound was an important piece of information. Chen Mu immediately reported it to Min Baoyi, who trusted Chen Mu's intelligence and didn't inquire further about the source. It was soon relayed to Xu Hongyu of the City Guard General.

In the following days, Chen Mu refrained from taking any further action. He had done almost everything he could; it was not practical for him to risk his life alone by exploring the underground of the Black Crow Sect. Providing a clear direction and entrance had already made it significantly easier for the authorities.

And Xu Hongyu was decisive.

Only three days later.

The order from the Chief Officer was given.

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Mobilize three teams of constables from the City Defense Division of Ninth District and coordinate with other two City Defense Divisions to launch a raid on the Black Crow Sect's residence!

...

The sky was dusky, with a continuous drizzle falling.

The entire City Defense Division in Ninth District was eerily silent as nearly two hundred constables had gathered there. The three teams were basically all present. Some constables, unaware of what was happening, were chatting amongst themselves, their expressions tense and solemn.

Meanwhile, inside the Hall Office, Prefecture Chief Min Baoyi and five Head Constables including Chen Mu had also arrived. They were gathered around a square table that displayed a very rough and simple map.

On the map.

The regions of Ninth District, Second District, and Wutong Grove District were roughly drawn, with the positions of the Black Crow Sect's residences marked within them. It was clear that these three residences were all located on the edges of their respective districts, adjacent to each other.

"According to the intelligence from the City Guard General, these three residences of the Black Crow Sect all have hidden underground areas, but at present, these underground parts are completely unknown to us. Looking at the map, it is possible that the three residences are interconnected by underground tunnels.

Therefore, this operation will involve coordinated action from all three Divisions to ensure nobody can escape from any of the sites," Min Baoyi stated solemnly, pointing at the map.

Wang Gong gazed at the map and sneered, "A bunch of rats from the gutter really know how to burrow."

Despite the sarcasm in his voice, everyone, including Min Baoyi, knew that the Black Crow Sect would probably not be easy to deal with. The real problem lies in the completely unknown underground sections.

The aboveground areas were almost no threat, as the forces from the three Divisions could easily overrun them. The enemy had no strength to resist openly, especially since the Chief Officer's side would always send reinforcements, and even Hongyu might personally take charge.

The problem, however, was the underground.

Just how extensive these underground sections were, whether they were independent or interconnected, if there were more exits or entrances, and whether many traps and mechanisms were hidden within - these were the more serious issues.

With such underground structures, if any traps like poison gas or water were laid out, not to mention the ordinary constables, even someone at Body Refinement Perfection like Min Baoyi would struggle to deal with them. One misstep could lead to being caught unawares.

"There's no issue with the aboveground part, but this underground... to my knowledge, the Black Crow Sect has been in existence for at least seven or eight years. If their lair is hidden underground and has been established over many years, then it will be quite troublesome," Qin Bei said, frowning.

Zhong Chang also nodded, "Therefore, our operation this time is to first occupy their aboveground residences."

In fact, the people sent by Xu Hongyu, after confirming the hidden underground passages of the Black Crow Sect, had tried to investigate further. However, all spies who entered the underground passages directly lost contact.

In such circumstances, sending more people to investigate would be meaningless, which led to Hongyu deciding to launch a total assault.

With the currently known intelligence, the missing personnel, and the unknown underground structure along with the gray-furred rats, it already posed a significant threat. After the threat was exposed, not only the districts of the Outer City but even some upper echelons of the Inner City were also somewhat dissatisfied.

Therefore, this operation faced no resistance, and even He Mingxuan did not try to obstruct it but instead watched from the sidelines.

"If there are no objections, then let's set out," Min Baoyi said indifferently. "Once we've taken their aboveground residences, we'll discuss the underground issues."

As his voice fell.

All the Head Constables responded in unison.

Then they each left the Hall Office, leading nearly two hundred constables in a mighty procession out of the City Defense Division, heading towards the Black Crow Sect's residence.

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