Chapter 126: The Prefect

“Greetings, Lord Prefect!”

Li Jie sat on the main seat of the county government, expressionless as he looked down at the officials bowing to him.

“Lord Prefect, would you like to review the county’s documents...?” one stood and respectfully asked Li Jie.

“Everyone, you may leave.”

Li Jie waved his hand, signaling those below to disperse.

The many county officials exchanged glances in confusion. When a new prefect arrives, shouldn’t he first inspect county affairs? Why dismiss them immediately? Yet, uncertain of the new prefect’s character and unwilling to offend him, the officials hesitated briefly before obediently departing.

Among them, some felt a surge of joy. This new prefect, Li Jie, did not seem diligent, and having no local roots, they believed they could seize more power, eventually rendering his authority null. Such a thing had never happened before.

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

After the officials left, a dozen dark figures appeared where they had stood—high-ranking members of the Sanyuan Sect.

At this moment, their eyes shone with fanatic devotion as they looked at Li Jie.

If before Li Jie had merely controlled them through tactics, now they truly submitted to him from their hearts.

“Rise.”

Li Jie regarded the Sanyuan Sect members with his usual impassive gaze.

Since last night’s events spread throughout Caizhou, these men had come to genuinely acknowledge his authority.

He had slain four inspectors of the Black Lotus Cult, grievously wounded one of its elders, and most notably, had even forced the Seventh Black Lotus Envoy to retreat after their duel. These deeds had made him famous across Caizhou, and his prestige as the Sanyuan Sect Master peaked—not only within the province but spreading to neighboring regions as well.

Though his confrontation with Yuan Wuer remained unknown to most, the previous feats alone were enough to cement his standing, thoroughly winning over the Sanyuan Sect.

Who would refuse to submit to such a powerful figure?

“From now on, Quyang County shall serve as the Sanyuan Sect’s main base. Those among you with sects in Shimen County must relocate them to Quyang promptly. Though we may retain small outposts in Shimen, no sect members are allowed to enter Shimen’s city proper.”

“This is the deal I made with the Black Armored Army, and you must abide by it.”

Li Jie’s eyes flickered when he mentioned the Black Armored Army.

His attack on the Black Lotus Cult last night was not merely to eliminate a rival faction but to deliberately reveal his strength.

The Black Armored Army had long dominated several northern provinces, with intelligence networks penetrating everywhere. Li Jie did not believe that they had failed to notice his unusual presence as the founder and master of the Sanyuan Sect.

Most likely, they had suspected something but dismissed the sect as insignificant and had no clear understanding of Li Jie’s true strength. Since the sect had done nothing to threaten the Black Armored Army’s interests, they left it alone.

But with the sect’s growth and escalating conflicts with the Black Lotus Cult, Li Jie’s power would inevitably be exposed. Rather than wait for the Black Armored Army to confront him, he chose to reveal himself first, seizing the chance to negotiate terms.

For someone of Li Jie’s caliber, hiding within Shimen’s city, revealing his strength was a gesture of goodwill toward the Black Armored Army—signaling he did not intend to become an enemy.

That night’s confrontation with Yuan Wuer was both a mutual test of strength and a negotiation, with Li Jie setting the terms.

Ultimately, by pledging that his sect members would never enter Shimen city and would not oppose the Black Armored Army, he secured control over all of Quyang County.

To enjoy the privilege that no one within his faction could enter Shimen city was an honor that, at least in the eyes of the Black Armored Army, placed Li Jie on par with the Black Lotus Cult, the Qing Royal Mansion, the Hui People’s Alley, and the Red Stone Palace—major powers in the region.

“Select a few capable administrators to take charge of the county government and subordinate districts. They need not be martial artists but must be competent managers.”

“As for the original officials in Quyang, carefully screen them. Promote the honest and capable, but kill those who exploit the people and display greed without bounds.”

Li Jie gave further instructions.

“As you command.”

The senior members of the Sanyuan Sect answered, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Even the four true Qi cultivators standing at the front shared this enthusiasm. To be supported by the resources of an entire county was an extraordinary privilege.

Previously, though these true Qi experts were renowned across the provinces, they could only rely on resources near their sect bases. The Black Armored Army took the lion’s share of resources across Caizhou, while major powers like the Black Lotus Cult and the Qing Royal Mansion enjoyed some benefits. Smaller factions with true Qi experts had to settle for scraps.

“All right, disperse.”

After encouraging them a few more words, Li Jie dismissed the group.

---

“Yuan Wuer...”

Li Jie sat alone in the main seat, eyes closed as he recalled the clash from last night and the silver dragon that soared above Shimen city.

If he could gauge the Seventh Black Lotus Envoy’s strength and had confidence in his ability to match him, after confronting Yuan Wuer’s overwhelming presence, he knew he was no match.

Without concealing strength, the Seventh Black Lotus Envoy’s power was roughly comparable to a martial artist at the Great Sanyuan stage of the martial path—close to Li Jie’s own level. As for Yuan Wuer, Li Jie sensed only a vast and profound aura, unable to discern his true strength.

Yuan Wuer’s power might well surpass the Great Sanyuan stage.

The title of the foremost martial artist of the North was well-deserved.

“To produce a warrior like Yuan Wuer, the True Qi path of cultivation is truly extraordinary...” Li Jie sighed.

As for whether the True Qi system surpassed the Sanyuan martial path, Li Jie believed it did not. After all, the highest achievement of the Sanyuan path was not the Great Sanyuan stage but the unmatched Demon Lord who had once devoured an entire world.

All those claiming to have surpassed the Sanyuan path must first outmatch that Demon Lord.

“I must hurry to improve my strength.”

Though Yuan Wuer had surpassed the Great Sanyuan stage and claimed the title of the North’s top martial artist, he did not dare claim to be the strongest in the world.

Moreover, this was only the public face of power. Considering the hidden group of dark schemers lurking within the Demon Might Realm, who knew how many true powerhouses remained concealed in this world?

Li Jie felt deeply insecure, fearing that some invincible force might crush him underfoot.

He needed to enter the realm and further advance his strength.

“Interface: Entering the realm’s lair world!”