This was a powerful state agency. Even with their influence, they usually had to be respectful. How could Yi Beidou order them around so casually?
'Besides, he'd committed a "felony." Were they just going to ignore it and believe only Yi Beidou's side of the story?'
"Wait! The murderer is right here! And you're turning a blind eye? This is a dereliction of duty! I'll report you to your superiors on behalf of the Xu Group!"
At this, Xu Guanren's expression soured, and he immediately began shouting threats.
The Xu Group had enough influence in Wencheng to make even the chief of the Wencheng Police Station wary.
However, Zhou Baiwei belonged to the Special Security Bureau, an organization with authority that superseded the police. Why would she be afraid of him?
She might have been accommodating to Yi Beidou, but that didn't mean she was accommodating to everyone else.
Within the Special Security Bureau, she was known for her stern demeanor and decisive, swift actions. Besides, her own family background was more than formidable.
"Xu Guanren! Stop shouting! If what Mr. Yi said is true, then you're suspected of colluding with foreign powers. When that time comes, you won't have to look for me; I'll be inviting you to come 'have a cup of tea' with me."
"And one more thing. If you want to report me, feel free to use every connection you have and give it a try. Remember the name: I'm Zhou Baiwei, Deputy Captain of the Special Security Bureau's Wencheng branch."
Zhou Baiwei's voice was cold and sharp. Without another glance at the stunned Xu Guanren, she turned and led the police officers out of the meeting room.
A brief silence fell over the meeting room. Then, smiles immediately reappeared on the faces of the Xu family members as they enthusiastically went to strike up a conversation with Xu Yao.
This time, there were no empty promises. Their attitude was a thousand times more sincere.
'Who here was a fool?' The way the authorities treated Yi Beidou revealed everything.
This man was not only powerful; his background was likely anything but simple.
To the side, Xu Zifeng watched Yi Beidou, who sat at the head of the table with his eyes closed in rest. Her expression was incredibly complex.
'Just who had her once-familiar cousin become?'
After sitting in the meeting room for a while longer, Yi Beidou saw that the negotiations were progressing smoothly and that Xu Yao and her mother had the situation completely under control. He stood up, left the room, and found Zhou Baiwei off to one side, making a report on a satellite phone.
Seeing Yi Beidou approach, Zhou Baiwei said a few more words and hung up.
"Did you find out?"
Yi Beidou asked.
"Ruan Guangqin of the Doli Group has close ties to the Nanyang Great Bao Lian Temple. This temple is a deeply entrenched power in the Nanyang region. They revere the Great Aspiration Ksitigarbha King, and their followers are spread throughout Nanyang, including elites from military, political, and business sectors."
"Its abbot, who calls himself the Great Vow Master, is an expert who has achieved Body Ascension. His real name is Hu Benqin, and his ancestral home is Guangdong Chaozhou City. He cultivates Ksitigarbha's Skillful Method. He once emulated the Ksitigarbha King by making a great vow to vanquish demons and subdue devils, suppressing the Purgatory on earth as his method of Cultivation. He is said to be impervious to blades and spears and possess the ability of Mediating Seven Souls. He holds immense prestige in the nations of Nanyang, to the point where he can influence the entire regional situation."
"So, Ruan Guangqin's move against your family's company, in league with the main branch of the Xu Family, might indeed have an ulterior motive."
Zhou Baiwei said in a low voice.
Some of this information was top secret. If she hadn't been assigned to handle all matters related to Yi Beidou, she would never have been able to access such a detailed file on a figure like this.
As for the man Yi Beidou killed?
He was far from innocent. He had a criminal record, had committed all sorts of crimes, and had entered the country on a forged identity. His death was a public service.
"Vanquish demons and subdue devils, suppress the Purgatory on earth? The Sutra of the Extinction of the Dharma states that the Buddha predicted that after he entered Nirvana, the demonic path would flourish. Demons would pose as monks, corrupting and throwing the path of Buddhism into chaos. From what I've seen of his followers' conduct, this man fits that prophecy perfectly."
Yi Beidou's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You could tell that just from what I said? Impressive. According to our intelligence, although this man made a great vow to vanquish demons, he actually allows 'demons' to fester. He uses 'Enlightenment' as a pretext to shelter numerous practitioners of heretical arts, keeping them under his command. His disciples often do the same. The proliferation of unorthodox practices and Evil Magic in the nations of Nanyang is inextricably linked to him."
Zhou Baiwei said, looking at Yi Beidou with some surprise. She herself had only just learned of these shocking secrets.
"'Strengthening one's own position by nurturing the enemy is a strategy as old as time. Have you not read *Journey to the West*? The foot of Ling Mountain itself was crawling with demons. Yin and Yang exist in balance; good and evil are in constant flux. If there were no more demons to wreak havoc in the world, who would still believe in Buddha?'"
Yi Beidou now understood what kind of being the Saint in Nanyang was. His gaze drifted towards the southeast.
Although he had sealed himself away from the world for all these years, inexperienced in its affairs, he was exceptionally well-read. He had even graduated from the philosophy department of the nationally renowned Dechang University. Despite being a Celestial Demon, one could say he was a man of profound learning.
Worldly desires clouded the mind and weakened one's Qi, but the classics calmed the heart and settled the Spirit.
"If I get the chance, I must pay him a visit to 'learn' about his demon-vanquishing methods."
Yi Beidou said nonchalantly.
'This man made a great vow to vanquish demons. I wonder if he can vanquish a "Free Celestial Demon" like me?'
"Don't you dare do anything reckless!"
Hearing Yi Beidou's words, Zhou Baiwei was so alarmed her hair stood on end.
A clash between figures of their caliber would have enormous repercussions. The slightest misstep could lead to rivers of blood, or even destabilize the entire region.
Besides, that was the man's home turf. He had achieved Body Ascension many years ago and had a profound foundation. Who knew what other methods he had hidden up his sleeve?
Yi Beidou, in contrast, was young and had likely only recently broken through to this realm. His foundation was clearly not as deep.
Even among Saints, there were differences in power.
If it were anyone else saying it, she could dismiss it as talk. But coming from Yi Beidou, she truly believed he would do it.
Despite having only met him a few times, she already had a very clear understanding of his nature.
Upright and fiercely domineering. His word was law. A promise made was a promise kept. And he feared nothing.
"Not for now. The time isn't right."
Yi Beidou was amused to see her looking so on edge.
Hearing this, Zhou Baiwei finally breathed a sigh of relief. She decided she would report this to her superiors immediately.
"Right, there's something I need to tell you. I've reported your situation to my superiors, and they've decided to have me act as your liaison for the time being. Even though you're a master who has achieved Body Ascension, this is the modern world. You can't get by on brute force alone. We might be able to provide you with some assistance."
"So, could you tell me what you're planning to do next? Perhaps I can be of some small assistance."
Zhou Baiwei asked tentatively.
If her colleagues had seen this, they would have been utterly shocked.
When had the decisive and resolute Deputy Captain Zhou ever been so "cautious and gentle"?
But this also reflected the attitude of her superiors. Yi Beidou had shown goodwill, so they were responding in kind.
In any country, a master who had achieved Body Ascension was someone worth pulling out all the stops to recruit.
"'Liaison?' Sounds more like 'surveillance' to me."
Yi Beidou said noncommittally.
"How can you call it surveillance? You don't have to put it so crudely. I did vouch for you today, didn't I? Won't you cut me a little slack?"
Zhou Baiwei continued to coax him.
Coming from anyone else, this tone would have been normal. Coming from her, it was practically a pout.
Hearing this, Yi Beidou actually paused for a moment.
She had a point. If she hadn't shown up with her team today, dealing with the Xu Family would have been more troublesome.
After a moment of thought, Yi Beidou said, "Since you put it that way, I suppose there's no harm in telling you. I'm planning to learn martial arts."
"Learn martial arts?"
Zhou Baiwei froze, as if she'd heard something utterly unbelievable.
"You've already achieved Body Ascension. People like you are incredibly rare; you've reached the pinnacle of your path. Who could possibly teach you Martial Arts? If you don't want to tell me, fine, but you don't have to treat me like an idiot."
Zhou Baiwei rolled her eyes, speechless.
"I'm not trying to fool you. I really don't know any martial arts. My physical constitution is just a little stronger than an ordinary person's, my mental fortitude is a little higher, and my control over my body is a bit better. Beyond that, I have no other particular talents."
Yi Beidou was telling the plain truth.
The Free Heart Technique developed the functions of the brain, helping one gain control over their own body, but it contained no offensive or killing techniques. All of his current power came from two sources: the formidable physical attributes gained from Body Ascension, and the combat instincts he was born with as a demon.
In some ways, he was no different from a ferocious beast fighting on pure instinct.
Zhou Baiwei opened her mouth, but for a moment, she had no idea how to retort.
'Are you sure it's just "a little" stronger?!'