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nThe Prefectural Governor said with a sneer, “This is the Horizon Prefecture. As the Prefectural Governor, I can go where I please. Why would I need your permission?”

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nXiao Ran walked up to him and gave him an icy stare.

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n“Whatever place you go, I don’t care. But this place is the base station of the Divine Sword Guards. Without my permission, no one can enter.”

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nThe Prefectural Governor’s face clouded over in an instant.

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nIn front of so many people, Xiao Ran not only did not accord him any respect, he literally humiliated him outright.

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nTo someone who was used to having everything done his way, he felt his authority was being challenged.

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nHaving worked as an official for so long, he did not show his emotions easily.

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nHe couldn’t be bothered to continue talking nonsense and went straight to the point. “Have you arrested Zhao Ning?”

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n“I arrested him,” Xiao Ran said.

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n“Release him.”

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n“Who gave you the authority to interfere in the affairs of the Divine Sword Guards?”

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nThe Prefectural Governor was furious. “You are really not releasing him?”

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nXiao Ran refused to budge and shot back, “No!”

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n“You better think through carefully. This is Horizon Prefecture, nearly a thousand miles from the capital city. Demons are wreaking havoc everywhere, and there are many demon lords. You don’t want to accidentally lose your worthless life here,” the Prefectural Governor said in a threatening fashion.

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nXiao Ran shrugged his shoulders with disdain.

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n“Even if they don’t come to me, I will still go to them. If you have any idea where they are, you might as well tell me.”

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n“Good for you!” The Prefectural Governor responded with a flick of his sleeve.

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nHe then headed outside, his face expressionless.

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n“Stop!” Xiao Ran spoke again.

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nThe Prefectural Governor turned and asked in a chilly voice, “Anything else?”

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nXiao Ran walked towards him. The old man behind the Prefectural Governor had been standing behind him since he entered.

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nNow he took a step forward and stood in front of the Prefectural Governor, in a guarded steely-eyed manner.

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nA powerful aura erupted from his body, and a huge pressure pressed down on Xiao Ran.

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nThe people around him retreated instinctively, unable to bear the pressure of his aura.

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nThose with weaker skills evolution even fainted from the impact.

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nStanding in the center of this pressure, Xiao Ran’s expression was calm and relaxed.

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nHis face showed no sign of strain.

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n“Grand Master? Not enough.”

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nThe moment he finished speaking,

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nhe appeared in front of the old man instantly. His speed was blindingly fast, faster than teleportation. The old man could not react in time. In fact, he could not even see Xiao Ran’s movements clearly.

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nRays of golden light from the Painted Ancient Fan condensed and hit him in the chest.

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nIt seemed like a light blow, but it contained supreme power and sent him flying straightaway.

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nPooh!

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nThe old man felt a sickening sweetness in his mouth. He had been seriously injured by the blow and struggled to his feet with difficulty.

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nHe looked at Xiao Ran in horror. “That’s a Numinous Treasure!”

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n“So noisy.” Xiao Ran’s eyes turned merciless.

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nWith a flick of the Painted Ancient Fan, the rays of golden light lashed his face and sent him flying again. This time he passed out.

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nThe Prefectural Governor was absolutely furious. He did not expect that Xiao Ran would have the guts to attack.

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n“How dare you!”

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n“I’ve already warned you just now. If you’re abusing your power elsewhere, as long as I don’t see it I’ll let it pass. But this place is the base station of the Divine Sword Guards. You’re an outsider. So what if you’re the Prefectural Governor? Without my permission, you just have to stay outside,” Xiao Ran said.

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nXiao Ran was already very close by now.

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nHe met his icy cold eyes. For some reason, the Prefectural Governor began to feel afraid.

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nHe retreated backwards unconsciously, but still tried putting on a brave front. “I’m the Prefectural Governor. Even if you’re an envoy from the capital city, you have no authority over me.”

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n“Is that so?” Xiao Ran asked in a mocking tone.

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nWith a grab in the air, a powerful suction force came from his palm and sucked the governor towards him.

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nHe grabbed his neck and lifted him into the air.

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nThe Prefectural Governor pressed his hands against Xiao Ran’s palms and struggled violently, trying to pry his hands apart.

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nHowever, even if he used his full strength, it would only be like an ant shaking a tree, completely futile in its efforts.

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nThe guards that he had brought along rushed forward with their weapons drawn and they surrounded Xiao Ran.

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nThe leading officer shouted, “Let him go!”

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n“Go!” Little Zhou ordered.

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nHe led the charge forward, and stood in front of them to block them.

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nThe rest of the Divine Sword Guards hesitated for a moment before charging forward and standing behind Little Zhou.

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nThe two groups faced each other, swords drawn, ready to fight at any moment.

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nXiao Ran pretended not to see this scene and patted the Prefectural Governor’s face. “Remember, there are some places you can’t go.”

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nThen he hurled the governor to the ground.

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nThe force smashed him into the ground with an impact so big that it knocked him out cold.

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nHis men rushed forward and helped him to his feet, before retreating cautiously.

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n“We’ve already fallen out with them. Why are you still letting them leave?” Little Zhou was puzzled.

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nPow!

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nXiao Ran knocked his head angrily. “Think it through carefully.”

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nLittle Zhou tilted his head and thought for a moment. He was aware that that guy was the Prefectural Governor after all, the highest-ranking official in the Horizon Prefecture.

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nIt was possible to take him down, but they would need concrete evidence.

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n“What if he wants to exact revenge on us?” Little Zhou asked.

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n“Where is Zhao Ning imprisoned?” Xiao Ran asked him instead of answering.

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n“In the rest chamber,” Little Zhou said.

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nThere was a special rest chamber in the base station. Although it was not as good as a prison cell, it was not too far off.

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n“Take me there,” Xiao Ran said.

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nThey reached the rest chamber.

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nZhao Ning was tied to an iron rack, and his body was wrapped in chains. It was difficult for him to make even the slightest move.

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nLooking at Xiao Ran, he sneered, “Xiao, you better release me quickly! Otherwise, you’ll suffer when my brother-in-law comes.”

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n“You talk too much.” Little Zhou punched him in the face.

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nHe held the branding iron by the side. After heating it up in the fire for so long, the end was bright red, as if it was filled with blood. As soon as he picked it up, it emitted a dense green smoke. He walked towards him with a sinister smile.

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nZhao Ning was so terrified that his soul nearly fled his corporeal body. Cold sweat instantly drenched him. “You… What are you doing?”

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n“Are you blind? Can’t you see that I’m holding a branding iron?” Little Zhou scolded him.

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nThen he came to stand before Zhao Ning, and gestured at his face with the branding iron.

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