He shouted fervently ahead, "Hold your fire! We're the victims here, being pursued. Check our car; Cheng Suyan is inside. He can vouch for us."

Upon hearing the name Cheng Suyan, the city guards hesitated. They had just received a call from Colonel Ye, mentioning an assassination of Master Hu and urging their assistance in capturing the culprits.

Regardless, their surrender would be ideal. Determining right from wrong is for others to judge.

Due to this delay, their pursuers arrived. Disciples of the Heavy Sword Sect alighted from vehicles, some armed with guns and others clutching swords.

"He killed our master! We intend to bring him back for our own justice." Laws have lost their grip on major sects. Many now value their sect rules more than legal ones. The Jiangnan Base has always prioritized these sects, rarely intervening in their internal matters.

However, Captain Wang of the city guards thought differently. Master Hu was a formidable martial artist with few rivals in Jiangnan Base. How could these youngsters possibly kill him?

He proposed with a smirk, "Colonel Ye, we have a military tribunal. Why not detain them first and execute later after due process?"

Ye Lipei's face was etched with grief. "Captain Wang, it's not about disregarding the law. The manner of my master's death was unspeakable. They murdered and desecrated his body. We, from the Heavy Sword Sect, vow to defend our honor at all costs."

Zhou You, uninterested in this hypocritical exchange, opened the car door for the guards to inspect. "Justice isn't determined by mere words. Isn't Cheng Suyan's plight a consequence of old Master Hu's deeds? He deserved his fate. We're open to scrutiny to see who truly is the villain."

"Is that young Sect Leader Cheng? Can you prove it?"

Cheng Suyan had been unconscious. His sheer will kept him alive till now. The guards couldn't afford negligence. Mistakenly executing the young leader of the Wan Sword Sect could spell their doom.

Ye Lipei's face darkened. "Captain Wang, are you siding with murderers?"

"Not at all," he hastily replied. "Detain them first, determine guilt later. Surely, Colonel Ye, vengeance can wait a while?"

Zhou You calmly stated, "Of course he's in a hurry. He fears their secrets will be exposed, putting his life in danger."

Without hesitation, Ye Lipei ordered, "Seize them for our sect's internal justice." He was confident the city guards wouldn't dare confront the Heavy Sword Sect.

Captain Wang, caught between two fires, chose to turn a blind eye. Who triumphed and who fell was not his concern. At worst, he'd be charged with negligence.

A crashing sound drowned out the subsequent gunfire. Everyone looked to see an armored vehicle smashing through the city gates, bypassing the barricades and halting in front of Zhou You.

A convoy of armored vehicles followed, an imposing sight that sent the city guards into a panic.

"The military has arrived," Captain Wang sighed, realizing Deputy Chief of Staff Cheng had been alerted.

Shao Qi descended from the lead vehicle, moving straight to Zhou You. "Quite a mess you've made in just one night."

Zhou You, seeing Shao Qi, relaxed slightly. "Trouble always finds me, it seems."

Ye Lipei wasn't overly concerned about the military's arrival. The Heavy Sword Sect had significant influence in Jiangnan Base. However, Cheng Suyan was a concern...

Cheng Ziang rushed over. Seeing the almost unrecognizable figure inside the car, his heart ached. He coldly asked Ye Lipei, "Commander Ye, care to explain why my nephew is in your custody and in this state?"

"We don't know. We only pursued him, unaware of any passengers," Ye Lipei denied adamantly.

Cheng Ziang was unconvinced. His nephew had been missing for a month. His sudden appearance here suggested captivity. Cheng Suyan's martial prowess wasn't easily subdued.

Zhou You interjected, "Deputy Chief of Staff Cheng, your nephew is in critical condition. Medical attention should be a priority." Further discussions might lead to irreparable loss.

Swiftly, Cheng Ziang extracted the frail form, his anger erupting as he shot Ye Lipei a venomous glare before departing.

Once he left, Ye Lipei showed no intention of sparing Zhou You. To the newly arrived military personnel, he stated, "This matter concerns the Heavy Sword Sect and him. Please refrain from interfering."

Miao Miao and two other instructors took positions next to Shao Qi, ready for any conflict. They wouldn't hesitate if Ye Lipei's group initiated a confrontation.

Seeing Cheng Ziang had left, the military personnel naturally didn't wish to oppose Chongjian Sect. However, some arrived upon receiving the news.

Li Hongxi emerged from the ranks, rushing to Li Yunxi. Noticing her scraped arm and face, he anxiously inquired, "What happened?"

Li Yunxi exclaimed, "Ning Xufeng handed me over to that old man from Chongjian Sect in exchange for an apprentice's position. In Hu Zhangmen's secret chamber, I saw those detained. More than a few had been captured; the recent disappearances in the military zone were their doing."

A soldier carrying a mace stepped forward, questioning, "Brother Ye, did my brother An Yang's disappearance involve you?"

"How could it be?" Before he could continue, Li Yunxi interrupted, "When I arrived, they had just dealt with a batch of bodies. The only survivor in the basement was Mr. Cheng. If you don't believe, ask him. Hu Zhangmen kidnapped people to extract secrets from other sects, tormenting each one to death."

Many had witnessed Cheng Suyan's plight, and thinking of their loved ones undergoing similar fates, many eyes reddened.