Chapter 71: Enforcers Assemble

"Stop playing dead! Get up, all of you!"

Yan Xicai kicked each one, forcing the incredibly weak law enforcement officers to their feet.

As they were about to leave, a pair of hands suddenly grabbed Yan Xicai's thigh. He looked back to see Xiao Jian, covered in blood.

"Young Master Yan, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it just now... You're not actually going to revoke my law enforcement officer status, are you?"

"Law enforcement officer?" Yan Xicai sneered, kicking Xiao Jian's hands away. "I said from the beginning that whoever accumulated the least killing intent would be dismissed... What makes you think you can continue to be a law enforcement officer?"

"You're slow to run! You can't even kill! You're just like your useless father! Both of you are destined to be lowly dogs, serving others your whole lives!"

Yan Xicai didn't even bother to glance at him, turning and walking towards the hill.

The other law enforcement officers staggered to their feet, cast sympathetic glances at Xiao Jian, and then followed Yan Xicai away.

These law enforcement officers had all been promoted by Yan Xicai in Aurora City. Without him, they wouldn't be where they were today. As long as they helped Yan Xicai achieve the Military God Path in the Ancient Tomb, even if they couldn't become officers themselves, Yan Xicai could use his influence to secure a bright future for them.

Xiao Jian, however, had clearly been cast aside by Yan Xicai.

Xiao Jian's blood-stained hands involuntarily clenched. He watched Yan Xicai's retreating back, despair flashing in his eyes. He had been lame since childhood, and if not for his father toiling like an ox and horse for the Yan family for so many years, he would never have become a law enforcement officer. But now, after this trip to the Ancient Tomb, he was not only disfigured but also stripped of his status. Even if he returned, he would be nothing but a cripple.

"Yan Xicai..." he muttered the name, the despair in his eyes gradually transforming into deep resentment.

He slightly lowered his head, his terrifying scarred face in the pool of blood appearing like a demon.

"Young Master Yan, that Xiao Jian is following us again."

A law enforcement officer saw the figure staggering behind them and spoke to Yan Xicai.

"Ignore him." Yan Xicai's gaze swept around. In the distant wilderness, eight or nine law enforcement officers had gathered and were walking towards them.

"Go, call them over."

At Yan Xicai's gesture, someone stepped forward, spoke a few words to the group, and they quickly hurried over.

"I am Wang Tao, the team leader of the First District's law enforcement officers." The leading officer respectfully extended his hand. "How may Young Master Yan command us?"

Yan Xicai showed no intention of shaking his hand and spoke coldly, "Have any of the law enforcement officers from your First District achieved the Military God Path?"

"Yes, there is one."

One person among the First District law enforcement officers raised a hand.

"Do you want to enter Aurora City?" Yan Xicai asked directly.

"Aurora City?" The law enforcement officer who had achieved the Military God Path was stunned, then immediately overjoyed. "Yes, I do! What are your orders, Young Master Yan?"

"The Usurpers of Fire are public enemies across the nine great human realms. Come with me today to wipe them out, and I guarantee your entry into Aurora City as a law enforcement officer." Yan Xicai waved his hand, presenting an irresistible offer to all law enforcement officers from the seven major districts.

The eyes of the other First District law enforcement officers, who had not achieved a divine path, widened in astonishment.

It was well known that Aurora City was a legendary place for everyone in the seven major districts. Ninety-nine percent of residents from these districts would never see the inside of Aurora City in their lifetimes, only hearing descriptions passed down by word of mouth. Furthermore, a law enforcement officer in Aurora City was vastly different from one in the seven major districts.

The officer hesitated upon hearing the command to kill the Usurpers of Fire; after all, he wasn't entirely confident in his own strength. But the thought of having a chance to enter Aurora City made him grit his teeth:

"Alright, I'll go with you!"

"Those who haven't achieved a divine path can also come along. While you won't be able to enter Aurora City, I will provide you with ample resources..."

Enticed by Yan Xicai, all the law enforcement officers present chose to follow him. Since they hadn't achieved a divine path, they wouldn't need to engage the Usurpers of Fire directly. They could simply contribute from the sidelines to gain this windfall, and also earn the favor of the Myriad Star Merchant Guild, which was undoubtedly a very good deal.

Having quickly gathered a group of people, Yan Xicai continued to ask:

"Have you seen any other law enforcement officers?"

"I saw law enforcement officers from the Fourth District. They just went that way."

"Let's go!"

"Groups of seven or more law enforcement officers are fine, but for those with fewer than seven, remember to verify their identities," Pu Wen reminded them opportunely.

By this point, more than half the allocated time since entering the Ancient Military Path Tomb had passed. Those capable of achieving the Military God Path had largely done so. The remaining law enforcement officers, lacking significant talent, would almost certainly choose to join the punitive force under Yan Xicai's recruitment.

Of course, some law enforcement officers didn't want to risk it, but seeing the growing crowd behind Yan Xicai, they hesitated for a moment before choosing to join. Humans are inherently creatures who follow the crowd; when everyone else is doing the same thing, those who don't will be seen as outsiders.

If Yan Xicai and his group successfully eliminated the Usurpers of Fire, and a list was made afterward, those who hadn't joined wouldn't have an easy path forward.

A few hours later, Yan Xicai had assembled a "large army" of over fifty people, five of whom had achieved the Military God Path and reached the first stage.

With so many enforcers at his disposal, Yan Xicai's back immediately straightened. He turned to Pu Wen and asked:

"How much time is left until the Ancient Tomb opens?"

"Less than three hours."

"That should be enough," Yan Xicai gritted his teeth. "Send people out to search for me. Scour the entire trial ground; we must find those Usurpers of Fire!"

As several law enforcement officers went to search, a faint light flickered in Pu Wen's eyes as he addressed the group:

"The enemy's artifact-stealing ability is very tricky. Don't attack recklessly later. Listen to me, we must..."

"Achoo!"

Number 8 suddenly sneezed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing... I just suddenly felt a chill down the back of my neck."

Number 8 turned to look at the Fifty-Man Ditch, which was littered with corpses, his brow unconsciously furrowing. "This shouldn't be... We've accumulated so much killing intent, yet we still haven't attracted the attention of the Military God Path?"

"Could it be because we possess the Thieving God Path?"

"No, attracting attention has nothing to do with whether we have a divine path. We can only sense the aura of our Thieving God Path once a divine path approaches us... If we haven't attracted attention, it's probably just because we're too weak." A Usurper of Fire explained.

"...So what do we do? The time for the Ancient Tomb is almost up, isn't it?"

Just as Number 8 was about to say something, his brow suddenly furrowed. He turned to look at a nearby cliff and saw a law enforcement officer glance in their direction before turning and running away.

"We've been discovered?" A Usurper of Fire exclaimed, startled.

"So what if we've been discovered? When they see us, they won't even have time to run..."

"True."

"Wait," Number 8's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Something doesn't feel right..."