Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Designated Order

Tia’s clear voice echoed through the hall. She had chosen to step forward, having spent the night poring over the relevant laws, only to find that Bai Yujing’s offense was actually not very serious. Since it was not a major matter, it was only natural for her to play the part of the good Samaritan. If she hoped to establish herself as the leader within the Anti-Master Alliance, she had to fulfill the leader’s duties at crucial moments. A leader who cannot protect her followers will never earn their recognition.

Her emerald eyes fixed on Bao Long, teasingly she said, “Or perhaps, would you like me to explain the Spirit Master Law of Xia to you, Chief Inspector Bao?”

Bao Long certainly had no need for her to explain the Spirit Master Law. His expression darkened. “There are many doubts about this case. For example, the deleted records from Tianbao Pavilion, and how can you prove she acted in self-defense rather than with premeditation?”

“I can prove it.” Liu Shuangling stepped forward, standing beside Zhu Ying, her hands resting on the girl’s shoulders. “Chief Inspector Bao, you must have heard of the Rakshasa Eye. It is a terrifying ocular technique that awakens in moments of utter despair. Our junior sister, being a half-demon, was already subjected to prejudice. After being seized by Tianbao Pavilion and placed on the auction block, facing the hopeless fate of becoming someone’s property, she awakened the Rakshasa Eye. At that moment, she lost control of herself—surely that is understandable.”

Her voice was calm, yet carried a sharp edge. “Unless, one were to slaughter your entire family and then sell you as merchandise, Chief Inspector Bao. At the critical moment, you gained power—would you magnanimously forgive those who sought to enslave you?”

Her question left Bao Long in silence.

Zhu Ying’s face was expressionless, but her jet-black pupils spun, revealing the blood-red mandala pattern—sinister and beautiful, possessing a hypnotic power.

Bao Long stared at those unnatural eyes, his expression growing ever more grim. He knew now that taking the girl away was impossible. The Spirit Master Law of Xia was stricter than foreign laws, but even so, no law would allow a spirit master to be treated as a commodity and then forbid them from retaliating. As long as he could not prove Zhu Ying had acted with intent, everything she did at the auction could be attributed to a stress response.

Bao Long said no more, only sighed. “You are right. Sect Master Bai, I hope you will teach them well, so as not to disgrace the heroic reputation that Qingyun Sect’s forebears have established.”

Bai Yujing sat upright in his chair, his tone light. “Qingyun Sect will never harbor evildoers.”

“With that assurance, I am relieved. Farewell.” Bao Long did not linger, turning to leave.

Tia crossed her arms, the corners of her mouth curling into a satisfied smile. “He’s not as formidable as the rumors suggest.”

“We are a righteous sect, after all.” Bai Yujing was not surprised, rising to his feet. “Let’s continue training.”

...

After the trio’s sparring session, Bai Yujing did not immediately log on to accept new assignments, but first sent the three to the Feng family tailor to collect their Qingyun Sect uniforms. The errand took little time.

He stepped outside the hall, standing on the blue stone slabs to wait. Sunlight bathed him, the breeze carried a hint of autumn’s chill.

Tia was the first to emerge. Her golden hair was tied in a single ponytail, neat and efficient. She wore a pure white, long-sleeved T-shirt without any designs, her full chest faintly outlined by the black contours of her undergarments beneath. Her trousers were wide-legged and white, fitting snugly at the hips and accentuating just the right amount of shape. Her famed sword hung at her left waist. Over it all, she wore a sky-blue feathered robe, loose with wide sleeves; the cuffs and collar bore white cloud patterns, and on the back, two large white characters spelled “Qingyun.” This was the uniform Bai Yujing had designed for the sect.

He scrutinized her appearance, nodding in satisfaction. “Not bad, you look sharp.”

“It’s more that I’m pretty—anything looks good on me,” Tia shrugged, wearing a confident smile.

Soon, Liu Shuangling emerged from the hall. She wore the same attire as Tia, but radiated a completely different aura—her temperament was more reserved, with a scholarly elegance. The only similarity was her prominent chest, easily an F cup, filling out the uniform perfectly.

Tia glanced at the back, teasing, “Those ‘Qingyun’ characters are a bit old-fashioned.”

“How can you call it a uniform without the sect’s name?” Bai Yujing replied with conviction.

Last came Zhu Ying. Her vivid red hair draped over her shoulders, forming a striking contrast with the sky-blue robe. Her aura was icy as frost, and even the Qingyun Sect uniform seemed elevated by her cold nobility.

Bai Yujing looked at the three, nodding with approval. “From now on, anyone coming to Qingyun Sect must wear the uniform, except on holidays.”

“Wearing the same clothes every day reminds me of my days at Shanghai Spirit Arts Academy,” Tia complained. “I never imagined that after my internship, I’d still enjoy such ‘privileges.’”

Bai Yujing pretended not to hear her grumbling, taking out his phone and setting his status to online. No sooner had he done so than the system chimed.

He saw it was not a standard assignment, but a targeted order—someone had specifically tasked Qingyun Sect. The client’s information was masked, even the content was hidden behind asterisks. Only the title read: “Assist in intercepting smuggled goods.”

Bai Yujing instantly understood who had sent the order.

He accepted it, and another confidentiality agreement popped up. He entered his credentials in one click, and the asterisks dissolved into words:

“Assist in intercepting foreign spies smuggling items into Shanghai. Rendezvous at Dock No. 7 on the Outer Ring Road. Base reward is fifty thousand yuan, with additional combat bonus depending on involvement.”

“Even catching spies is outsourced now?” Tia read the assignment and couldn’t help but comment.

Bai Yujing explained, “This is a follow-up to a job I took yesterday. You three, come here.”

As he spoke, he reached out to encircle Liu Shuangling’s fair, delicate neck with one arm, and Tia’s neck with the other, then beckoned with both hands. “Zhu Ying, come here.”

Tia glanced at the arm around her neck, raising her brow. “Master, don’t you think this pose is a bit improper?”

“I have no choice—this is the only way to take you all with me,” Bai Yujing replied, a hint of helplessness on his face.

Zhu Ying observed him for a moment, ensuring he harbored no ulterior motives, then stepped forward. Bai Yujing placed his hands on her shoulders, an invisible ripple emanating from him.

Bang!

With a muffled burst, all four instantly appeared at Dock No. 7 on the Outer Ring Road. Sunlight sparkled on the rippling sea; the dock was empty except for a single ship.

Not far off, Qi Xiang—wearing the flying fish uniform—stood with a dozen colleagues, all staring at the sudden arrival of Bai Yujing. With one girl in each arm and another in the middle, Qi Xiang could not help but feel envious.

He quickly recovered, though, and quipped, “Brother Bai, we’re here to catch spies, not vacation at a resort.”

Bai Yujing withdrew his arms, replying calmly, “They are my disciples—here to gain some experience.”

“Is that so?” Qi Xiang’s gaze lingered with suspicion.

A horse-faced man stepped forward, smiling. “Sect Master Bai, I am Tang Zicong. Group Leader of Counterespionage Team Three, Spy Management Division of the Brocade Guard. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Faced with such formality, Bai Yujing instinctively composed himself, neither arrogant nor submissive. “Thank you. Please, tell me about the assignment.”

“Certainly. Let’s board the ship to discuss.”

Tang Zicong invited Bai Yujing aboard. It was his idea to involve Bai Yujing in this incident. The reason was simple: since Bai Yujing was already involved, it made sense to draw him in deeper. Besides, an extra fighter could only help their cause.