Chapter 108: The Soul-Subduing Department

The night was as dark as ink.

The sound of footsteps echoed softly through the quiet corridor—“tap, tap, tap.”

Two figures steadily advanced deeper into the Six Doors. Ning Xiu glanced up at the lead constable guiding him.

A myriad of thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind.

If the news of the Red Cloak’s death had already reached the Six Doors, then Ning Xiu would naturally be thrust into the eye of the storm. After all, the Red Cloak had left the Shadow Alliance specifically to kill him.

His heart was restless at this moment. Tonight’s events, if handled carelessly, could plunge him into an abyss from which there was no return.

He had considered fleeing before, but a voice of reason within him urged calm.

Forget whether the Shadow Alliance would leak the news of the Red Cloak’s death— even if the Six Doors knew, what would that prove?

Would that be enough to confirm that Ning Xiu was the killer? Cold Hawk had seen Ning Xiu in person and knew he lacked such strength. The Six Doors would still direct their suspicion toward that mysterious ghost hunter.

Preconceived notions would not allow them to equate Ning Xiu with the mysterious figure. Even if some harbored doubts, they would quickly dismiss them.

Because it made no sense; it contradicted the facts.

If Ning Xiu truly were that mysterious man, then why had he shown no resistance when facing the Red Cloak in the Shouchun prison that night? And why would he return now?

Most importantly, strength never lies.

Ning Xiu’s cultivation was indeed only at the Master level, yet his combat prowess was astonishing.

He understood this truth, and Cold Hawk certainly did as well.

Still, despite this, Ning Xiu’s heart remained uneasy.

He truly did not want Cold Hawk to harbor suspicion against him. Once suspicion arose, his days within the Six Doors would become arduous, and how could he then infiltrate their ranks to uncover the truth behind the court, the noble houses, and the supernatural?

“Open the door. It’s me.”

The voice interrupted Ning Xiu’s thoughts. He stopped and realized they had arrived.

The lead constable approached the grand hall’s door and spoke.

This was the Soul Reclamation Bureau, the core of the Six Doors.

Responsible for law enforcement and military discipline, it had its own prison—the Imperial Prison—and could arrest, interrogate, and execute without judicial oversight.

It was also tasked with battling spirits and anomalies.

It could be said to be the most trusted department of the Great Qian imperial family.

Creak—

The great door of the Soul Reclamation Bureau slowly opened. Under the pitch-black sky, it resembled a colossal beast silently crouched upon the earth, its gaping maw ready to devour any prey.

Inside the Soul Reclamation Hall.

Seven figures stood there, all among the elite within the ordinary divisions of the Six Doors. The weakest had at least First Rank cultivation, and importantly, none had received the so-called Xiezhi divine power infusion.

When Ning Xiu entered, they all looked up at him, but soon averted their gazes.

Seeing them, Ning Xiu’s heart settled somewhat. It seemed that Cold Hawk had not summoned him alone tonight.

Therefore, the worry he had been nursing was unlikely to come to pass.

Had his identity truly been exposed, the elite forces of the Soul Reclamation Bureau would have greeted him, not these ordinary constables like himself.

Ning Xiu glanced at them and found their expressions varied.

Some were tense with anxiety, others excited, and some brimming with confidence...

One thing was certain—they all knew the purpose of Cold Hawk’s summons.

So, after all this tension, it was something everyone was already aware of.

Tap, tap, tap...

At that moment, a light footfall sounded.

But to those present, it was like thunder. Everyone immediately composed themselves, lowering their heads in deep respect.

Ning Xiu’s face remained unchanged as he looked toward the source of the sound.

“Greetings, Lord Cold,” the constables bowed in unison.

Cold Hawk glanced at them and nodded calmly.

“You all should know that the Xiezhi Shrine will reopen in one month.”

As always, Cold Hawk’s words were concise and direct.

Except for Ning Xiu.

Everyone else in the hall nodded instinctively, their eyes burning with fervent anticipation.

They had awaited this moment for a long time.

If one could hear their thoughts, they would be heard screaming from their hearts:

“We know! Of course, we know!”

The Xiezhi Shrine remained open year-round. Within the Six Doors, once enough merit points were amassed, one could enter and receive the divine power infusion to raise their cultivation.

Yet what Cold Hawk spoke of was clearly different.

Only when the Shrine was truly opened would it grant power surpassing the Master of Martial Arts level. Every member of the Soul Reclamation Bureau had come through this.

In other words, receiving the true divine power infusion meant entry into the Soul Reclamation Bureau.

How could these constables not be thrilled upon hearing this news?

Surpassing the Master level was every martial artist’s lifelong dream—one step beyond the mundane, a transcendent realm. Before joining the Six Doors, this was a thought they dared not entertain.

After all, the legendary Supreme Realm existed only in legend...

“Each time the Shrine opens, we select only three.”

“You are the best among ordinary Six Doors constables, but that is still not enough. The Soul Reclamation Bureau demands strength.”

“To determine who will enter the Shrine, I will assign you all a task in three days. You must prepare thoroughly in that time.”

Cold Hawk’s gaze swept across them as he said coldly, “The final selection will be based on the results of this task.”

With that, he left without waiting for questions.

Though he had not revealed the task’s details, everyone understood—it would be extremely perilous.

Yet no one would back down. They exchanged glances, each showing deep vigilance.

From the moment Cold Hawk’s words fell, they were all competitors.

One’s advancement meant another’s elimination.

If they were not within the Six Doors, they might have struck preemptively.

One by one, those in the hall departed.

No matter who they had come with, they left alone.

Ning Xiu looked back toward Cold Hawk’s departing figure, fell silent for a moment, then followed.

Whatever the case, tonight’s matter was over—thankfully, a false alarm.

And what Cold Hawk had mentioned also caught Ning Xiu’s attention.

If all went well, it would not be long before a corner of the court’s mysterious veil was lifted.