Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 444 - 420: Five-direction Prison, Jiao Daoist

Listening to the words of the Guangyuan God Monarch seated at the head, Yao Xingzi, the leader of the Swallowing Star Seven Ancestors, responded with a faint smile, "The Divine Monarch is too kind. My six brothers and I have only recently arrived."

Lu Qingfeng looked toward the Swallowing Star Seven Ancestors, noting that each had a calm demeanor, seemingly indifferent to external rewards.

However, since they were willing to come to the Investigation Department, they were clearly interested in a Divine Position. Lu Qingfeng didn’t beat around the bush and said with a smile to the seven, "The ’Correction of Good and Evil Messenger’ position at the Investigation Department still lacks a ’Master of Records and Inquisitorial Envoys.’ I was wondering if Daoist Brother Yao Xingzi would like to take up the role?"

Similar to the Investigation Demon General role being divided into the ’Mighty Thunder General’ and the ’Six Waves Water General,’ there are also two positions for the Third Grade Correction of Good and Evil Messengers.

Zhang Shu occupies one of them as the ’Investigation Demon Correcting Good and Evil Main Records Five Prisons Envoy,’ in charge of overseeing the Investigation Department’s Five-direction Prisons, handling the interrogation and punishment of all demonic matters.

The remaining position is the ’Master of Records and Inquisitorial Envoys,’ responsible for detaining and escorting all demons within and outside the Investigation Department.

Despite traveling outward, they have the authority to inquire about and draft Mountain Gods and Water Lords from all places.

The power is not insignificant.

"It is indeed my wish!" Yao Xingzi respectfully replied, a hint of joy in his heart.

Back in the day, he and his six brothers thought that the new Sect Leader, due to his distinguished background, was worth befriending, so they worked hard for him. Later, they discovered that their new Sect Leader was but a disciple of the minor Min River Dragon Lord, under the Shang River Dragon Palace.

Their expectations ended in disappointment.

They hadn’t taken any inappropriate actions, however, their interactions had lessened thereafter.

Unexpectedly, a hundred years later, the Sect Leader personally came to Swallowing Star Mountain again, dangling the position of the Investigation Department Divine Position as bait.

Although the seven ancestors had great reputations, within the Shang River Dragon Palace, they looked down on Fourth Grade Divine Positions and could not secure the Third Grade Divine Positions for themselves. After discussing with Luo Fuzi and receiving a promise of a Third Grade Divine Position, they hurriedly rushed to the Investigation Department.

Their goal was precisely this ’Master of Records and Inquisitorial Envoys’ position; they had no intention of refusing it and immediately bowed in acceptance.

Lu Qingfeng smiled at the other six, announcing boldly, "The Investigation Department is small, and I’m afraid I must trouble the six Daoist Brothers to temporarily serve under Daoist Brother Yao Xingzi as the Soul Binding Supervision Envoy, the Decree Messenger, and the Command Messenger."

These positions are subordinate to the ’Correction of Good and Evil Messenger.’

On par with the Demon Chasing General and the Demon Hunting General under the command of Zhang Chi and Du Yuanqing respectively, all are Fourth Grade.

Luo Fuzi had made clear the distribution of Divine Positions well in advance.

Third Grade Divine Positions are rare.

With all seven pledging their allegiance together, only one could obtain the Third Grade, while the rest, promised to Yao Xingzi, were merely Fourth Grade. The other six were prepared for this and were not discouraged, and also respectfully expressed to Lu Qingfeng, "We, your subordinates, thank the Divine Monarch!"

In this way, Lu Qingfeng’s forces saw a significant increase in strength with the addition of seven Primordial Spirit Practitioners!

...

With the allocation of Divine Positions complete, Divine Dao Talismans, Dharma Seals, and other such items were bestowed.

Arranged within the hall, the Swallowing Star Seven Ancestors were officially part of the Investigation Department.

Only then did Lu Qingfeng turn to Zhang Shu, the Investigational Demon Correcting Good and Evil Main Records Five Prisons Envoy sitting below, and inquire, "General Zhang, have you fully acquainted yourself with the state of the Five-direction Prisons during this period?"

The Investigation Department established Five Prisons to meticulously consider all matters, to swiftly report to the Three Armies Grand Marshal, to petition to the Dragon King, to clearly list the source of evil and determine where it lies within the Divine Office, to establish the functional prisons, to dispatch troops and generals to seize different colored demons, and to detain and punish them in prison.

Based on the severity of crimes, they were executed or imprisoned, killed, or subdued, and judicious verdicts were dispensed according to the law.

Zhang Shu was precisely the officer in charge of overseeing the Five Prisons.

As Lu Qingfeng waited in Yinchuan Water Palace for Ao Le’s breakthrough, he had sent Zhang Shu back ahead of time to organize information on the demonic occurrences in the Five-direction Prisons.

Zhang Shu stepped forward, reporting to Lu Qingfeng, "Reporting to the Divine Monarch, all demonic activities within the Five Prisons are recorded by the Manager of Five Prisons Evil Records, Gong Cao. The register is kept at the Gong Cao office. I have reviewed the register and have also entered each of the Five Prisons for inspection, recording all the long-imprisoned defiant demons as per the Divine Monarch’s orders."

With that, Zhang Shu presented a Golden Scroll.

Lu Qingfeng took it and flipped through it, noticing that it listed many demons with their names shining in golden letters, followed by a comprehensive list of their crimes still pending investigation.

After a cursory glance, Lu Qingfeng closed the Golden Scroll and said to those present, "Everyone may disperse. General Zhang and I will go and inspect the Five Prisons."

"Yes," came the collective response.

The Swallowing Star Seven Ancestors, Zhang Chi, Du Yuanqing, and others immediately departed.

Shortly thereafter, led by Zhang Shu, Lu Qingfeng, and Ao Le made their way towards the Five-direction Prisons of the Investigation Divine Bureau. freewēbnoveℓ.com

...

"The Five-direction Prisons are divided into the Thunder and Lightning Examination Prison, Fire Light Meteor Prison, Gold Essence Poisoning Prison, Nine Springs Suffering Prison, and You Platform Long Night Prison."

"All five prisons are Immortal Artifacts, their main bodies located deep within the Dragon Palace. Our Investigation Department only manages the entrances and parts of the prisons."

Zhang Shu had arrived three years earlier and had a more detailed understanding of the Investigation Department than Lu Qingfeng, particularly concerning the Five-direction Prisons.

As he led Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le towards the Five Prisons, Zhang Shu explained to them the origins of the Five Prisons and other related matters.

Soon, they arrived at the Five Prisons.

Above the cloud sky, a heavy military presence was arrayed.

In the middle were five prison entrances, each manifesting different phenomena.

Upon closer inspection.

Each prison spanned nine miles across. In the center of each, stood a thirty-foot peach tree, adorned with red silk, each piece five feet long, and the names of the prisons were posted on their respective doors.

The aura of the Dharma Image was formidable.

The Five Prison Generals, under Zhang Shu’s command, each lead a thousand soldiers to guard the Five-direction Prisons, ensuring their integrity. Upon seeing Lu Qingfeng and his companions, the Five Prison Generals quickly approached them, each with a different appearance, all of them looking powerful and menacing.

They first bowed to Lu Qingfeng, "Greetings to the Investigation God Monarch."

With a respectful demeanor, he bowed again to Zhang Shu, "Greetings, Five Prison God Monarch."

Although his face showed respect, there was a hidden sneer of disdain in his eyes.

The Five Generals stood up.

Zhang Shu announced loudly, "This is Ao Le, the officer of the Fire Book Golden Scripture Hall."

Upon seeing her, the Five Generals noted her female form and closeness to Lu Qingfeng, though their thoughts remained unexpressed. They greeted her reverently, "Greetings to the Hall Officer God Monarch."

Ao Le nodded indifferently.

Lu Qingfeng paid no mind to the Five Generals. With a flash of divine light, he and Ao Le stepped into the prison ahead, where firelight flickered and meteors twinkled—the Fire Light Meteor Prison.

"The Fire Light Meteor Prison captures venomous dragons and other malevolent water creatures that have taken form, ascending to the ranks of shadow officials in the Water Mansion. They cause harm without justification, raise waters and overturn boats, devour living beings, and wreak havoc against the Dao. They are thus imprisoned and disciplined here."

Zhang Shu followed close behind, explaining as they went inside the prison.

It was as if the world had changed in a fleeting moment, plunging into the chaos of a collapsing era.

Meteors fell from the sky like rain. Each meteor was a star ablaze, filled with destructive true intent. The ground erupted with fire, crackling loudly. The flames were scorching, inciting utmost dread.

The three of them entered.

Lu Qingfeng was surrounded by divine light, unafraid of the meteors or firelight.

Ao Le revealed a scroll of the Fire Scripture Golden Scripture in her hand, impervious to all laws.

Zhang Shu’s waist bore the Big Seal of the Five Prisons, emitting brilliant rays; he too was unafraid.

As they traversed,

They saw chaos between heaven and earth. In the midst of the firelight and meteors, Lu Qingfeng looked around and seemed to see abysses everywhere, each with this same view. And within the abysses, various demons were bound by chains layer upon layer.

In some abysses,

Demons were surrounded by Divine Officers, Generals, and Armored Soldiers interrogating and executing punishments with various methods. The variety of these disciplinary methods was eye-opening. An ordinary person witnessing this would be thoroughly shaken.

"The Five Prisons of Investigation."

"Worthy of the name ’Purgatory’."

Seeing the methods of interrogation and punishment, Ao Le’s eyes revealed a look of awe, feeling enlightened. She was also relieved that Lu Qingfeng had not truly joined the demons and had never suffered such punishments in the Investigation Department.

Otherwise, even if innocent, one might be coerced into confessing under such unbearable torment.

"Roar!"

"Let me out!"

"Fur God of the Shang River, once I escape, I’ll overturn the Dragon Court and end your dragon lineage!"

If one listened closely, there were roaring, roaring, and cursing sounds coming from every direction, incessant and ceaseless.

"That’s why most demons dread the Investigation Department," Lu Qingfeng said to Ao Le with a smile.

While they surveyed their surroundings, Lu Qingfeng also addressed Zhang Shu, "Those Five Prison Generals seem rather disgruntled. Would you like me to have them replaced?"

Outside just moments ago,

With Lu Qingfeng’s keen perception, he noticed the disapproving attitude of the Five Prison Generals towards Zhang Shu. Even in his presence, they feigned courtesy, but their disdain was palpable.

"Thank you, God Monarch,"

"However, each of the Five Prison Generals is a powerhouse of the Fourth Realm, while I am but of the Third Realm. Even if you replace them, new Generals of the Five Prisons would not truly respect me. Rather than change them, let me rise to the Fourth Realm, and I will have my own ways to deal with them," Zhang Shu replied with gratitude but declined.

Lu Qingfeng nodded upon hearing this.

This rationale made sense.

The reason why the Five Prison Generals disrespected Zhang Shu ultimately boiled down to his lower cultivation. Suddenly commanding the Five Prisons, positioned as a Third Grade, he stood not only above the Five Generals but also as their immediate superior.

Anyone in their place would feel disgruntled.

Knowing that Zhang Shu had a plan, Lu Qingfeng dropped the subject.

As they moved through the Fire Light Meteor Prison, Lu Qingfeng suddenly cast his gaze upon an abyss.

An evil flood dragon was chained up within it, its body riddled with wounds as it burned under the firelight, while meteors rained down mercilessly upon it—an unbearable sight. While the evil dragon struggled, its fierce eyes glared at the heavens, shouting angrily, "Not enough! Not enough! Is this the best the Five Prisons can do?!"

Lu Qingfeng viewed the evil flood dragon, ignoring its angry curses.

He flipped open the Golden Scroll from the Exorcism Treasure Hall presented by Zhang Shu earlier and perused the entry for ’Fire Light Meteor Prison,’ soon finding the name of this evil flood dragon.

[Name: Jiao Daoist]

[Cultivation: Fourth Realm Life Cultivation, Purple Palace Realm, third stage]

[Origin: Ancient Shang Region, Shang River, Min River]

[Record: Jiao Daoist, from the Min River, sacrificed ninety thousand water creatures and a hundred and thirty thousand living people for the ’Profound Water Banner of Ten Thousand Souls,’ devastating an entire realm. Six Waves Water General Du Yuanqing of the Shang River Dragon Palace Investigation Department captured him three thousand years ago, sentencing him to the ’Fire Light Meteor Prison’.]

"How coincidental."

A light appeared in Lu Qingfeng’s eyes.

This evil dragon originated from the same Min River as he did. Three thousand years ago, Ao Zhan had not yet taken charge of the Min River, suggesting that he may have been appointed as the Min River Dragon Lord because this evil dragon was captured.

"Let’s take a look inside."

Lu Qingfeng strode boldly into the abyss, and as if by a shift of heaven and earth, he found himself in another hellish fire prison.

Ao Le and Zhang Shu followed closely behind.

In this Purgatory, even with the evil flood dragon’s formidable power, it was helpless to escape under the suppression of the Immortal Artifact.

"The Chief Officer of the Investigation Department?"

"What happened to Zhu Jue, that good-for-nothing, to be replaced by you, a mere child?" sneered the Jiao Daoist, gazing at Lu Qingfeng with a thick layer of mockery and scorn.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺