Light Fortress Chapter 1695 - 373: That Person

During the annual newcomer contest in Changye, instances of utilizing Taboo Seals are not unheard of among Transcendents.

Such actions are, to put it mildly, frowned upon.

Were the individual present today a scion of one of the five great clans, Qi He would not dare voice a single objection, let alone recommend their referral to the Security Committee for scrutiny.

"While the ’Recruitment Trial’ is a mere competition, the regulations contain no specific prohibition against the use of Seals."

Xie Zheng continued, his words carrying weight. "Liu Quan emerged victorious in this round. Your intervention, for the sake of ensuring safety, is understandable, and I was content to observe. However, if your intention is to arbitrarily control the outcome, manipulate the results, or even subject this participant to the Security Committee's oversight... then I must firmly object."

Qi He’s expression soured considerably.

"As a Judge, I officially declare Liu Quan the victor of this match."

Xie Zheng had just concluded his pronouncement.

A voice from the Dojo entrance suddenly cut through the air.

"I regret to say, I find myself in disagreement."

A formidable figure materialized at the entrance, distinguished by a fox-fur cloak from the Jiuning District and unique bone ornaments adorning his forehead.

His appearance prompted several imposing individuals in the spectators’ area to rise as well.

All of them sported identical attire.

They were members of the Huyan Family, hailing from the Jiuning District.

Huyan Yu, who had been under Qi He’s protection, now regarded the newcomer with profound reverence. His voice trembled slightly with nervousness as he spoke, "...Father, you have arrived."

This imposing presence was none other than Huyan Bo, the patriarch of the Huyan Family.

As the head of a lineage associated with the five great families, his Cultivation realm was, as expected, not merely at the Titled Level but at least a fourth-rank.

Within the Jiuning District, he commanded significant influence, a veritable local potentate, and even in Changye, his word carried considerable weight.

The patriarch of the Huyan Family had cultivated a broad network of connections within Snow Forbidden City.

Huyan Bo then articulated his position, his voice resonating calmly. "In Changye, the deployment of a Taboo Seal requires official reporting and prior authorization... Victory achieved through such means ought not to be validated."

"This location is Changye, not Jiuning."

Xie Zheng cast a dismissive glance at the tall man and the several Huyan Family Transcendents who had risen, showing them no deference. "A defeat remains a defeat, and a victory is a victory; there is no question of validation or invalidation. This is a minor affair."

"Indeed, it is but a minor affair."

Huyan Bo gave a slight nod, remarking with deliberate indifference, "Yet, Changye’s statutes include certain regulations. What is your perspective on this matter?"

The pronoun "you" was not aimed at Xie Zheng.

"You hold the esteemed position of Vice President of the Security Committee and concurrently serve as the Chief Examiner for the three Recruitment Trials. The rulings for this particular match fall under your ultimate discretion."

Huyan Bo subtly shifted his stance, allowing the young man accompanying him to step forward.

The young man advanced into the Dojo with measured steps.

A familiar visage registered in Gu Shen’s consciousness.

It was Du Wei.

Gu Shen retained a distinct memory of this individual. Upon his initial arrival in Changye, Du Wei held the rank of team leader within the Security Committee’s action division. Their first encounter involved a confrontation with Shen Li, marking Gu Shen’s initial introduction to Du Wei. Later, during the harrowing Divine War in the cemetery, when Gu Shen found himself ensnared and detained by Han Dang within the Monitoring Building, Du Wei had provided significant assistance. Since that time, Du Wei’s career trajectory had been remarkably swift.

Now, Du Wei had ascended to the position of Vice President of the Security Committee?

This was plausible, considering… Zhou Wei had already retired, dedicating his days to leisurely fishing alongside Gu Qilin at the Gu Family Ancestral Hall.

Du Wei was, without question, a remarkably astute and talented young prodigy.

"I..."

The young man let out a soft sigh before stating deliberately, "It is true that Changye’s laws stipulate such a regulation. To mitigate unforeseen complications, Taboo Seals necessitate prior approval before their deployment."

As the Vice President of the East Continent Security Committee, Du Wei was actively engaged in extensive networking. Huyan Bo, a prominent figure in the Jiuning District, had extended a cordial invitation upon their arrival in Changye, initially proposing a shared lunch and a concurrent visit to the Recruitment Trial at the Judgement Institute Headquarters. At the time, Du Wei had accepted without much forethought.

He had simply not anticipated such a peculiar turn of events.

In reality, situations of this nature often allowed for discretionary handling.

Liu Quan’s current spiritual state appeared stable; it was entirely feasible to conclude the matter with leniency.

Ignorance of the law, after all, does not absolve one of its consequences, yet context matters.

Du Wei was no fool. He recognized Huyan Bo's subtle maneuver to leverage his status to exert pressure on Xie Zheng, with the ultimate aim of securing the championship for Huyan Yu.

Each champion of the Recruitment Trial was bestowed with esteemed recognition from the headquarters, which included a coveted breathing technique and a valuable Seal as rewards...

And, naturally.

The invaluable favor of influential patrons.

Surrounded by the numerous spectators within the Dojo, Du Wei understood he had no choice but to uphold justice impartially, articulating the established regulations as dictated by law.

Xie Zheng observed these unfolding events silently, his gaze intensifying, growing progressively colder.

Had it been another, they might have retreated then and there. But he was not just anyone; he was a man of principle, unwilling to back down.

"I concede."

The young man on the stage, who had remained quiet until now, finally broke his silence.

Xie Zheng held Liu Quan’s hand, and the boy looked up, a smile gracing his lips. "I was unaware of Changye's rules, nor did I know this item was a 'Taboo Seal.' By breaking the regulations, I should be declared the loser."

At this juncture, the outcome of the match, or reaching the finish line, had ceased to hold importance for him.

His sole purpose in coming to Changye was to remain there.

Becoming the champion was truly inconsequential.

Having endured hardships and turmoil in the humble Qing River city, the young man possessed a keen understanding of the fickle nature of human connections. He could discern that Qi He, Huyan Bo, and Du Wei were individuals of genuine consequence. Should this predicament persist, it would serve no one's interest, neither his nor Xie Zheng's.

Admitting defeat was not an insurmountable task.

Once Liu Quan uttered his concession, Qi He's countenance visibly softened.

Du Wei's eyes conveyed a sense of disappointment, but an even greater measure of respect.