The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron
Chapter 1169 - Chapter 1169 Chapter 1168 Follow the Rules

Chapter 1169: Chapter 1168: Follow the Rules Chapter 1169: Chapter 1168: Follow the Rules The voice just then had come from Situ Zheng’s mouth. At this moment, he was sitting upright in the middle seat, clad in a thin gray robe, looking gaunt and exhausted, with droopy eyes and a listless appearance.

On the throne to the left of Situ Zheng, there was another person sitting, a woman with a cold demeanor, appearing to be in her thirties, beautiful but with a somber and intimidating expression that made it hard to look directly at her.

Laughing Tiger Ding Yulong slowly walked up and took his seat to the right of Situ Zheng.

With this, the three giants of the Inspection Hall were gathered together.

Hall Master Situ Zheng, Vice Hall Master Han Qingshuang on the left, and Vice Hall Master Ding Yulong on the right–the highest-ranking officials of the Inspection Hall–had rarely appeared together like this.

Beneath the three giants, a line of Inspection Envoys stood, each clad in a black robe, their presence long and profound, clearly a cut above the usual Inspection Envoys.

Lu Mingfeng, whom Ding Yulong had slapped into a puffy-faced mess, was also ranked among them, standing with the other black-robed Inspection Envoys.

At this moment, including Lu Mingfeng, these ten black-robed Inspection Envoys all cast sharp glances at Fang Lin, with a hint of malice.

Fang Lin knew that there were ten Grand Inspectors in the Inspection Hall, superior to the ordinary Inspection Envoys, each with exceptional abilities, tasked with overseeing the Envoys and specifically dealing with powerful criminals from the Pill Alliance.

The position of a Grand Inspector in the Inspection Hall was very high, second only to the three giants, and in the entire Pill Alliance, a Grand Inspector was akin to the Master of a Hall.

That is to say, Fang Lin’s status within the Inspection Hall was equivalent to these ten Grand Inspectors.

The three giants and ten Grand Inspectors, all assembled here–if an ordinary person were to face such a lineup, they would probably be terrified into lying flat on the ground.

But Fang Lin, standing below, remained calm and composed, showing no sign of change or abnormality, as if he did not regard the three giants and ten Grand Inspectors at all.

The three people, Situ Zheng, sitting atop, looking down at the composed Fang Lin below, even though they had no fondness for Fang Lin, couldn’t help but inwardly praise him. Just his calmness alone was something not many young prodigies possessed.

Lu Mingfeng stood among the other Grand Inspectors, glaring resentfully at Fang Lin, contemplating how he could get back at Fang Lin for what had happened.

Though his face had somewhat deflated, he still looked very ragged. Being a Grand Inspector and having been slapped by a Vice Hall Master for the first time, Lu Mingfeng felt he couldn’t raise his head in front of the other Grand Inspectors, hence he harbored resentment toward Fang Lin, blaming him for everything.

“You can remain so calm now, but wait until we convict you. I’d like to see how you can still remain composed then. At that time, I’ll make sure you understand the severity of the Inspection Hall’s punishments!” Lu Mingfeng silently said to himself.

“North Town Hall Master Fang Lin, summoned here, presents his respects to the three Hall Masters.” Fang Lin cupped his fists, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing, performing a ceremony as the Master of North Town Hall to the three giants of the Inspection Hall.

Situ Zheng did not speak, his expression as stiff as ever, while Ding Yulong maintained a constant smile, but deep in his eyes, there flickered a profound light.

“Fang Lin, you are summoned here to investigate the matter of the Dragon Family Demon. Are you prepared?” Han Qingshuang’s lips moved slightly, her voice cold and detached.

Fang Lin raised his head, looking fearlessly at Han Qingshuang, and said, “Since it is an investigation, I will naturally cooperate.”

Han Qingshuang nodded slightly, her eyes slightly squinting, “You have had a history of misconduct, so during the interrogation, you must wear the Cold Iron Chains.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a Grand Inspector appeared with a cyan-colored chain in his hand, swirling with a cold aura.

The Cold Iron Chains, forged from the unique cold iron of the Extreme North Land, contained a chill that could suppress a martial artist’s Inner Strength. If an Array Master were to engrave an array onto it, it could even completely suppress the Inner Strength of a martial artist, rendering them unable to exhibit any skill, just like an ordinary person.

It was with these Cold Iron Chains that the Inspection Hall had imprisoned a significant number of criminals, including some of considerable strength.

At this moment, they intended to put the Cold Iron Chains on Fang Lin, clearly treating him like a criminal, regardless of his guilt, first by weakening him with the chains before discussing anything further.

Seeing this, Fang Lin’s eyebrows furrowed, and he spoke with a tone of dissatisfaction, “The Cold Iron Chains are for criminals, why use them on me? Have I committed any crime?”

Han Qingshuang remained impassive, her gaze even carrying a hint of mockery, “You may be associated with the Dragon Family Demon, and besides, you have a history of misconduct, having been judged by the Inspection Hall. According to the laws of the Inspection Hall, anyone with a history of misconduct must wear the Cold Iron Chains during their trial, and you, Fang Lin, are no exception.”

Fang Lin laughed. He had a record of misconduct? That was true; he had indeed been punished by the Inspection Hall before, confined in the Abyss Pill Well for a hundred days. But this time, he had committed no crime, bore no charge against his name, and was merely here for an investigation. Why should he wear the Cold Iron Chains?

Wearing the Cold Iron Chains would leave him at their mercy–why would anyone agree to such a foolish act?

“I am the Hall Master of North Town Hall, a Direct Disciple of Elder Tiankui. Are you sure you want to put the Cold Iron Chains on me?” Fang Lin said coldly, his eyes intensely fixed on Han Qingshuang.

Han Qingshuang snorted lightly, “No matter who you are, once you enter the Inspection Hall, you must abide by its laws. Are you planning to resist?”

Fang Lin laughed, “Then, I’d like to know, when others come for interrogation, will they wear the Cold Iron Chains?”

Han Qingshuang spoke indifferently, “Other than you, those who come for interrogation do not have any record of misconduct, hence they do not need to wear the Cold Iron Chains.”

Fang Lin nodded, “I see, it seems I really must wear them?”

“You have no say in this. Wearing the Cold Iron Chains is a standard procedure, you have nothing to worry about,” Han Qingshuang said, her voice now carrying a hint of impatience, as she gestured for the Grand Inspector to place the chains on Fang Lin.

The other nine Grand Inspectors also stepped forward slightly, applying pressure on Fang Lin and guarding against any possible resistance from him.

Fang Lin remained composed, tapped his Nine Palace Bag, making everyone think he was about to act. However, as they watched intently, he produced a Token gifted to him by Elder Tiankui.

“With Elder Tiankui’s Token here, possessing this token is as if the Elder himself is present. With this token, do you still intend to lay hands on me?” Fang Lin spoke sharply, holding the token out in front of him.

The token glowed faintly, adding a bit of radiance to the somewhat dim hall.

Seeing the token appear, Han Qingshuang’s brows furrowed, and the Grand Inspector holding the Cold Iron Chains also stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Han Qingshuang, his face showing a difficult expression.