"What did you say? You found Na Lan Xing!?"
Amidst the shock of everyone present, Li Tianjiao was the first to exclaim in surprise at Ling Feng.
Upon hearing this, the North and South Elders both let out cold sneers.
"Heh, so the Town Guardian King didn't even know about this matter!"
"Indeed, this is quite amusing. You..."
Ling Feng didn't allow the two to finish their sarcastic remarks.
He coldly stated, "What we are curious about now is why the two of you were fighting. Do you know what it means for you to engage in combat here?"
The North and South Elders' expressions darkened.
They exchanged glances, both letting out a cold snort and turning their heads away!
It was clear their anger had subsided considerably, but they still couldn't stand the sight of each other.
However, even though their anger had diminished, this matter couldn't simply be dropped.
"Don't you two have anything to explain?" Ling Feng asked coldly.
Ling Feng hadn't interacted much with the Grand Elders of the Elder Council, but he couldn't let them ignore his words.
This attitude suggested that they had indeed been spoiled by Li Tianjiao's usual indulgence!
"What is there to explain to you? Ling Tian Ci, don't try to fool us. Bring Na Lan Xing back first!" Elder Nan shook his head.
Elder Bei then sneered at Li Tianjiao, "Heh, since when did the Elder Council's affairs become your business? Li Tianjiao doesn't even have the right to question us, so what's your attitude?"
Li Tianjiao retorted angrily, "Elder Bei, stop acting like an elder and throwing your weight around. The Elder Council isn't yours!"
"Nor is it yours, Li Tianjiao. What is the Town Guardian King's duty? To guard the Elder Council and protect it. But you couldn't even protect Elder Dong. What are you babbling about here?!" Elder Bei berated, his demeanor appearing much more imposing than Li Tianjiao's.
Li Tianjiao laughed in anger, "Haha, do you think I'm desperate for this Town Guardian King position? Don't forget how you pleaded with me back then! You want to hold me accountable? Na Lan Xing was apprehended and placed under the control of the four of you. When I wanted to interrogate him, you refused. When I wanted to kill him to end it all, you obstructed me at every turn. Elder Dong was responsible for guarding Na Lan Xing, and he was still snatched away. What right do you have to hold me accountable? Isn't Elder Dong's death caused by the four of you?!"
Each word was spoken with conviction and carried immense authority.
The entire scene fell into dead silence. The North and South Elders on the opposite side widened their eyes, never expecting that Li Tianjiao, who usually appeared so indifferent, would erupt in such fury today!
"Li Tianjiao, you are rebelling!" Elder Bei roared.
Elder Nan, standing beside him, turned to Elder Bei and sneered, "What he's saying isn't entirely unreasonable. I also supported killing the prisoner back then. It was you and Elder Dong who insisted on keeping him for interrogation. You worked with Na Lan Xing's grandfather back in the day. I want to ask you, are you trying to pervert justice for personal gain!?"
Elder Bei's eyes widened, "You old fool, do you want to fight again? I was trying to gather more intelligence. Don't forget who captured Na Lan Hong back then. If you suspect me of being a spy, just say it!"
"So what if I suspect you? Are you going to fight or not, you decide!" Elder Nan retorted, looking as if he was ready to throw a punch at any moment!
"Is this all you two are arguing about?" Ling Feng suddenly asked indifferently.
The two were startled.
"What do you mean by 'all this'?"
"This matter is very serious. I suspect he is a spy from an enemy country. Hidden so deeply, he might have long since..."
Before the two could finish speaking, Ling Feng shook his head, "I won't discuss who is a spy for now. I only want to ask you one thing: who controls the mysterious underground auction in the capital and the underground black markets throughout the entire territory?"
As Ling Feng's words fell, the expressions of the North and South Elders changed drastically. They exchanged glances, understanding each other's meaning, and quickly composed themselves!
"We don't know what you're talking about!"
"Don't change the subject. I'm talking about Elder Dong's death. I suspect he is a spy who colluded with others to abduct Na Lan Xing and kill Elder Dong!"
Both spoke at the same time, but their stances were entirely different.
However, Ling Feng could clearly discern their intentions.
These two clearly did not want to mention the black market.
This meant that both of them had connections to the black market.
Ling Feng had put this matter aside because he understood that the existence of the black market served a certain purpose!
He didn't want to eradicate it directly, or rather, he wanted to re-establish order.
But no matter what, doing so would inevitably harm the interests of those in control behind the scenes!
Ling Feng glanced at Elder Xi beside him. Seeing that his expression was not flustered, but rather filled with some confusion, he immediately understood that Elder Xi was truly a peacemaker.
Thus, the combination of the four Grand Elders of the Elder Council was now complete.
Their personalities were vastly different, and they had previously tolerated each other, achieving a certain balance.
However, with the death of Elder Dong, this balance was broken, and problems were bound to arise between them.
So, who was stirring up trouble?
Someone was behind it!
Ling Feng calmly surveyed the surroundings and said coldly, "The two of you don't need to change the subject. The operation of the black market has already affected the normal order of life for many people. I will have it rectified today! If you are ultimately implicated, I will not show leniency!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the North and South Grand Elders changed drastically!
"Ling Tian Ci, by what right do you?!"
"What does the black market have to do with you? If not for the black market, where would you get the medicine you desire?!"
As their voices fell, both of them suddenly realized they had spoken out of turn.
Ling Feng's expression turned extremely grim, and he turned to Li Tianjiao, "The Elder Council has become so rigid, and you are also responsible. It is time to clean house!"
"Good!"
Li Tianjiao's expression immediately turned grim, and he turned to everyone around him, giving an order, "Arrest these two. Starting today, investigate all their criminal activities. No one is to release them without my command!"
As the words fell, the surrounding individuals felt uneasy, but the powerful figures loyal to Li Tianjiao immediately took action.
The North and South Elders never dreamed that Li Tianjiao would one day arrest them!
"What are you doing?!"
"I want to see who dares to lay a hand on this old man. In this Elder Council, I am a Grand Elder..."
*Slap! Slap!*
As the two roared, Ling Feng and Li Tianjiao moved simultaneously!
A streak of blood-red light.
A streak of blue light.
In just an instant, the two Grand Elders were subdued, curled up on the ground like shrimp. The surrounding people gasped in awe.
Li Tianjiao spat disdainfully at Elder Nan.
Ling Feng, however, did not even glance at Elder Bei at his feet and coldly ordered, "Take them away!"
Immediately, people stepped forward with special equipment and, in a few swift movements, restrained the struggling North and South Elders.
As Grand Elders of the Elder Council, their strength was naturally formidable.
However, compared to Li Tianjiao and Ling Feng, there was still a significant gap, something they and everyone else present had not anticipated.
The victor becomes king, the vanquished becomes a bandit.
The strong are respected.
This saying applied equally to the Elder Council!
"Ling Tian Ci, you are rebelling..." Elder Nan gasped and shouted.
Ling Feng, however, directly called out to the somewhat stunned Elder Xi, "Elder Xi, accompany me to pursue Na Lan Xing and bring him back into custody!"
Elder Xi suddenly awoke and instinctively nodded at Ling Feng, "Alright!"