'Arrogant!' Shouted the red-faced mayor, jumping up from his seat. He was so upset he dropped his handkerchief, 'Is this how you repay kindness, Wu xiansheng?'

'Kindness?' Wu Chen scoffed in disbelief, 'I was attacked and injured in your arena during your competition by one of your allies' disciples using a banned substance that was supplied in your town. Then, I was denied my escort, despite the fact that they were supplied by another of your allies, which means that they should have been accepted without question into the town's public audience chamber. I had a bounty placed on my head by a criminal you have neither arrested nor questioned even though everyone in town knows where he operates from, and who has been capturing and selling slaves in your town for what the locals tell me is years. Once inside your rather illustrious mansion, I was informed that I was the object of another bounty put out by some of the wealthiest on the continent specifically targeting cultivators, and that this type of thing has happened under your jurisdiction before.'

Wu Chen took a breath and crossed his arms over his chest, 'Now, tell me mayor, where is this kindness you offered me?'

As Wu Chen spoke, the mayor's face contorted and darkened. By the end, he was shaking, 'Watch your mouth, junior.' He snarled.

'Mayor, before this conversation goes any further, I should inform you that I have sent a messenger crane to the capital, specifically the Office of Interior Affairs.' Wu Chen stated calmly.

'You what?' Gasped the mayor, dropping back onto his seat, his face visibly paling.

'Yes, and it should be there by now.' Wu Chen smiled at the shocked faces of all of the judges, 'As the second young master of the Wu Clan, I have had extensive training on treaties and the politics between cultivators and the mortal world. Under the Treaty of Chang Hoa, no cultivator may rule over a mortal town or city. However, this is with the understanding that should said mortal official become derelict in his duties, accept bribes, commit criminal acts, or attempt to use their mortal standing to intimidate or threaten those of the cultivation community, they are to be investigated and tried in court with a combined judgment of mortals and cultivators working as a team.'

Wu Chen turned toward Elder Han, who was currently stunned, 'Have I understood the Treaty of Chang Hoa correctly, Elder Han?'

Elder Han cleared his throat and answered, 'Yes. Yes, that is correct, Wu Chen. Well done.'

Wu Chen turned a dazzling smile on the mayor, 'So, as per this treaty, I have sent a crane off to the Office of Interior Affairs. I have accused you of accepting bribes, allowing criminals to operate with impunity, and allowing cultivators to be intimidated, injured, and threatened under your jurisdiction. I am expecting a return crane anytime with the arrival date for the investigative team.'

In the silence that followed this announcement, Wu Chen grew serious, 'So, mayor, if anything happens to me or my escorts before the Interior Affairs investigative team gets here, who do you think they are going to suspect?'

'Out!' Roared the mayor, 'Take your escorts and get out of my mansion!'

'Thank you for the invitation, and for answering my questions mayor, Elder Han, Elder Tai.' Wu Chen bowed politely to each and walked swiftly out of the mansion with a stunned Ren Qiguang following. After a moment, Elder Han excused himself and followed just as swiftly.

'Wu Chen...' Stammered Ren Qiguang as the double doors closed behind them.

'Wait until we're back at the inn.' Wu Chen whispered back.

Ren Qiguang nodded, and Elder Han stared at Wu Chen with a complicated look.

It seemed like ages before they reached the gate and were allowed outside the mansion, but they finally met up with the rest of the martial brothers. Their relieved faces were a welcome sight.

Wu Chen held up his hand before they could start, 'Before any questions are answered, I suggest we head back to the inn. I will explain everything once we are safely within its walls. Quickly now.'

The six returned to the inn where Wu Chen and Ren Qiguang collapsed onto chairs, and Elder Han stood brooding near the table.

Surrounded by curious faces, Wu Chen grinned and removed a messenger crane from his Void pouch. He tapped it with his qi and lodged his formal complaint to the Office of Interior Affairs. Then, he sent the crane off to the capital as Ren Qiguang and Elder Han stared in wide-eyed understanding at the audacious young man.

'You never sent it?' Elder Han asked in disbelief.

Wu Chen shrugged, 'I didn't think of it until we were in the mayor's mansion, and I was trying to come up with a way for us all to get out with our skin intact.'

Ren Qiguang shook his head and then began laughing until tears came from his eyes, 'Wu Chen! Wu Chen...you are too bold!' He choked out between laughs.

The other three brothers were extremely confused and demanded to know what was going on. Elder Han finally collapsed onto a seat shaking his head as Ren Qiguang filled his martial brothers in on the entire visit. The more he talked, the wider their eyes got.

Su Chunwen laughed until his stomach hurt, 'Wu Chen, even if your replacement Guardian comes, please let us travel with you! My life is anything but boring with you around.' He pleaded.

Wu Chen shook his head with a pensive look, 'This threat won't hold for long, and it doesn't solve the problem of the larger bounty. No matter where I go now, I will be hunted, and no one can do anything to stop it.'

Everyone's faces grew serious.

Elder Han raised his head and cleared his throat, 'I know it's a sensitive topic with you, Wu Chen, and rightly so, but the Wu Clan is technically under the protection of the Thunder Palace now. Perhaps a temporary stay in the sect while we investigate this threat would be in your best interest. After all, it isn't just a danger to you, but to all talented young cultivators.'

Wu Chen winced at the reminder of his clan's subjugation but had to admit that the Elder did have a point. Other cultivators were also under threat. He sighed. He couldn't live his life constantly looking over his shoulder, and he couldn't do everything by himself. This town has definitely become a humbling experience, he thought wryly.

'Thank you for the offer, Elder Han. I will consider it and let you know my answer after I exit the realm. Is this acceptable to you?' Wu Chen answered quietly while staring at his clasped hands.

Seeing that he hadn't outright refused, the Elder smiled and nodded, 'Perfectly acceptable under the circumstances. I will send a crane to request formal permission right away.'

'Thank you for your efforts, Elder.' Wu Chen nodded, his head still lowered.

'Chunwen-shidi, it's about time for Wu Chen's medicine. Can you please get that ready and order a meal to be delivered up here?' Ren Qiguang asked in the awkward silence.

'En.' Su Chunwen nodded and grabbed the herbs and prescription from the shelf they now kept them on. Then he headed out the door.

'I am going to go see to the disciples on guard duty. It's about time for the changing of shifts, and I need to get them fed as well. I also want to send that crane immediately. If you'll excuse me, I'll leave first.' Elder Han smiled and patted Wu Chen lightly on the shoulder before he turned and left the room.

'It's been hard on you, Wu Chen. Are you okay?' Shi Feng asked with a frown.

Wu Chen lifted his head and gave a small smile, 'Thank you, Shi Feng. I'm fine. I just have a lot to consider right now.' Wu Chen reached out and patted the kind young man on the shoulder before standing up and stretching.

'We have a realm to enter tomorrow, Ren Qiguang. We should probably decide what we're bringing and what we can do without.' Wu Chen smiled and reminded his friend.

'One thing we have to be sure to take,' Ren Qiguang said with a grin, 'your medicine.'

Wu Chen wrinkled his nose and glared at the man, 'You would make a fine mother-in-law, Ren Qiguang.' Wu Chen complained as Zhang Boyan and Shi Feng snickered quietly.

After ensuring that Wu Chen took his medicine and was circulating his qi, the martial brothers sat together at the table to discuss the situation.

'I think we are all in agreement that we will continue to protect Wu Chen despite the risks, am I right?' Ren Qiguang asked the group.

After everyone quickly nodded, he continued, 'Elder Han has the right idea, but after what our leaders have done concerning the clans, I have lost a bit of faith in our current leaders. Frankly, I don't trust them to take this as seriously as they should as it doesn't really affect them personally.'

'What do you think we should do then, shixiong?' Asked Su Chunwen as he glanced over to Wu Chen, who was peacefully circulating his qi.

Ren Qiguang sighed, 'I think this problem is a little bigger than we anticipated. Perhaps we should send a message to Master.'

With everyone in agreement, Ren Qiguang sent off a crane to their Master while the others helped the servers get the table ready for the afternoon meal.

Wu Chen closed out his circulation and sniffed the air.

'That smells amazing. Hey! Save some for me!' He called out as the martial brothers grabbed their chairs and began serving themselves.

'Take your medicine quicker and you won't be late when the food arrives.' Scolded Ren Qiguang with a laugh.

Wu Chen grumbled at him but joined his friends at the table to happily fight with them for his meal.