The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 888: Chapter 888: The Inspection Envoy

Chapter 888 -888: The Inspection Envoy

In the great hall, Wu Zhong sat upon the hall master’s throne, his face expressionless and quite gloomy.

Below him in the hall, Fang Lin stood opposite a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was dressed in a black robe and had a stern face, with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding an intimidating presence without showing any anger.

This person had suddenly arrived at the North Town Hall a day ago, claiming to be an envoy from the Pill Alliance Inspection Hall, and he intended to take Fang Lin to the Inspection Hall for trial.

As an exceedingly vast power, the Pill Alliance, with its intricate complexities, governed all Pill Refiners of the Nine Countries. Naturally, it had to have an institution in place to oversee various matters.

That institution was the Inspection Hall.

Anyone who transgressed the rules of the Pill Alliance had to face interrogation and punishment from the Inspection Hall.

For example, Fang Lin’s previous act of snatching the Nine Palace Bags from the heirs of other halls in the Ancient Alchemy Prohibited Area had resulted in him being punished to spend a hundred days in the Abyss Pill Well, a judgment made by the Inspection Hall.

It could be said that the Inspection Hall possessed immense authority, rising above the thirty-two halls, and had the power to interrogate and punish any hall master directly.

The Inspection Hall Master was jointly chosen by eight Elders and did not favor any one party, maintaining absolute neutrality.

Within the Inspection Hall, besides the hall master, there were several Inspection Envoys. Some came from the upper echelons of the Pill Alliance, while others were from major Alchemy Tao families, representing various interests.

In the absence of the Inspection Hall Master’s intervention, these envoys had the authority to interrogate any Pill Refiner below the rank of Five Cauldrons.

The man in the black robe was one such Inspection Envoy, and he possessed a unique Identity Token belonging only to the Inspection Hall.

“May I ask, esteemed Inspection Envoy, why do you wish to interrogate me? It seems I have committed no offense,” Fang Lin asked calmly, bowing slightly.

The black-robed envoy looked haughtily at Fang Lin and replied, “Someone has reported to the Inspection Hall that you, being a Pill Refiner, have behaved immorally, poisoned others, and insulted Alchemy Tao families on multiple occasions, violating the precepts of the Pill Alliance.”

Upon hearing this, a cold smile flashed in Fang Lin’s heart. Was someone making a move against him? However, they had some skill to use the Inspection Hall against him.

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“Replying to the esteemed envoy, I have neither poisoned anyone nor insulted any Alchemy Tao families. If you wish to take me for interrogation without evidence, you must forgive me for not complying,” Fang Lin stated, his tone remaining calm without the slightest ripple.

The black-clothed Inspection Envoy narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold smirk appearing on his lips. “It’s precisely because there is no evidence that your cooperation with the interrogation is necessary. If you have been wronged, the Inspection Hall will naturally clear your name. But perhaps you have a guilty conscience and are unwilling to cooperate?”

Fang Lin’s expression turned even colder. “Inspection Envoy, may I ask who has reported me?”

“That is not for you to know,” the envoy in black responded.

Fang Lin laughed, “Then I would also like to ask, esteemed envoy, where do you hail from?”

At these words, the envoy’s expression shifted subtly, and he snorted heavily, “My origins are none of your concern, you simply need to accompany me to the Inspection Hall and clarify your affairs.”

“Inspection Envoy, I seem to recall that without any evidence, an envoy has no right to take anyone to the Inspection Hall,” Elder Miao intervened, having listened for a while and now speaking up.

The black-clothed Inspection Envoy gave Elder Miao a chilling glance and said, “I naturally have evidence, but due to the urgency of the journey, I’ve left it in the Inspection Hall. As long as Fang Lin comes with me, we can clear everything up.”

Elder Miao shook his head, “Since you, the envoy, have no evidence at hand, Fang Lin cannot go with you to the Inspection Hall.”

“What? Are the people of North Town Hall special? Is even the Inspection Hall unable to govern you?” snapped the envoy in black, his tone turning frosty.

Elder Miao smiled faintly, showing no fear, “It is not that North Town Hall is special. The Inspection Hall naturally stands above us and has the responsibility of judgment, but if the envoy wishes to take Fang Lin for trial, it must be done according to the rules. The existence of the Inspection Hall is precisely to uphold the rules of the Pill Alliance, isn’t it? Would an envoy who enforces the law himself be breaking it?”

Elder Miao’s words were rather severe, but this was intentional, meant to prevent Fang Lin from being taken away.

What place was the Inspection Hall? Elder Miao, as a veteran of the Pill Alliance who had once served a term at the Inspection Hall, knew full well what sort of place it was. If one were taken there for trial, it would be without recourse – the Inspection Hall would do as it pleased with the accused. Even if you were innocent, if someone wanted to target you, they could fabricate charges against you.

As long as Fang Lin didn’t go to the Inspection Hall, there were still chances for the situation to be reversed, but once there, even if he were to be released without charge, the ordeal would leave a stain on his reputation.

“Utter nonsense, as an Inspection Envoy, I have every right to take any Pill Refiner for trial. It is my responsibility, and no one may cast aspersions!” the black-robed Inspection Envoy suddenly bellowed.

Elder Miao’s expression soured, as it was now clear to all that this envoy had come with a specific purpose to target Fang Lin, and was intent on escorting him to the Inspection Hall.

What awaited Fang Lin there was all too predictable.

With a smile at the corner of his mouth, Fang Lin spoke, “If the esteemed envoy has no evidence, then please forgive me for not accompanying you to the Inspection Hall.”

Having said that, Fang Lin paid no further heed to the envoy and turned to leave the hall.

The face of the black-clothed envoy blanched with anger brimming in his eyes, wishing he could immediately suppress Fang Lin.

As an Inspection Envoy with a high status, except for those above the rank of a hall master, no one had ever dared treat him with such an attitude.

This was nothing short of outright disregard for his status as an envoy!

“Fang Lin, you dare defy the Inspection Hall, it’s outrageous!” the black-clothed envoy pointed at Fang Lin and roared.

Fang Lin waved his hand dismissively behind him, not even bothering to look back as he calmly walked out of the great hall.

The others within the hall looked at one another in astonishment, silently admiring Fang Lin’s audacity; he dared to treat an Inspection Envoy this way.

Inspection Envoys represented the Inspection Hall, and when abroad, even personages at the level of a hall master would afford them some respect.

Fang Lin, on the other hand, did not give face, and even showed contempt.

“Very well, since you defy the Inspection Hall, I have no choice but to request the hall master and use force to take you to the Inspection Hall,” the black-clothed Inspection Envoy said with a cold laugh, a gleam of malicious victory in his eyes.