"The time that passed by is sure to cause a commotion," muttered Yang Qing once he had sufficiently vented his frustration on the fog.

By his estimate, atleast two hours had elapsed. This was sure to make the organizations who came for the evaluation, wary, especially due to the disparity of the time taken and no one to address them within that time.

He had sealed the hall, locking everyone inside, with him, while those outside couldn't barge in, not unless there were stronger than him and thus capable of breaking the seal he had placed in the building hall.

The first hundred evaluations were completed very fast but now one evaluation had taken the same time it would take to evaluate 20 organizations.

That huge difference in time taken would not go unnoticed by them and then when the sect master of the Wild Roar sect and Su Liwei didn't come out, it was sure to add even more questions.

"I'll take it as it comes but for these two, I guess giving them an explanation wouldn't hurt...even the Spiritual temperance sect especially if the Dark Helminth Ghost sect has set up base within their territory," thought Yang Qing as he waved his sleeves and the broken floor repaired itself.

However if one looked close enough they'd be able to notice a subtle difference on the repaired flooring compared to the rest of the hall.

Though the material was the same, the refilled wood Yang Qing just created over the hole he created when he punched Su Liwei, had a more raw natural feel to it. It felt like it was more tree than processed wood.

" I don't know if the Order should create another branch in their territory.

Seems a bit strenuous to have the Deer Mountain branch handle cases in both the Deer Mountain kingdom and the Spiritual Temperance sect's territory.

They both have the same issues. Hopefully there's a plan underway, but just in case I'll have to report my findings to push the matter," Yang Qing thought as he fixed his robes.

...Prince Wenyan and Captain Bu Zhe were a bundle of nerves especially when the hour mark hit without a single peep from Yang Qing.

The only thing that helped them stay still throughout the whole duration, was the fog that surrounded Yang Qing. The fact that it was still active, was proof that Yang Qing was still okay.

A look of relief washed over them both when they saw Yang Qing emerge from the receding fog.

Within a few seconds, the fog along with the white raven disappeared. The building walls also briefly shimmered concurrently with the white raven's disappearance.

Su Liwei isn't there?

Both Prince Wenyan and Captain Bu Zhe noticed the absence of the culprit behind the whole thing. However, they were mindful and a bit wary of asking anything.

They had already agreed if Yang Qing decided not to reveal anything, they would pretend the whole thing didn't happen. This was to the extent that they would even hide the matter from the king if need be.

Whatever Yang Qing decided, they would go along with it. In their judgment from the brief experience, the matter seemed a little too big for their kingdom to handle.

....

"The attacker is someone from the Dark Helminth Ghost sect. Your kingdom should have already been formed when they were still around, so you should have some idea about who they are."

Yang Qing on seeing their curious hesitant expressions didn't keep them waiting for long before he gave them an explanation.

Both Prince Wenyan and Captain Bu Zhe nodded in affirmation of Yang Qing's presumption of their knowledge about the Dark Helminth Ghost sect.

The Summerfield kingdom, though can be considered young among kingdoms of its rank, has been in existence for atleast eight thousand years.

They, therefore, knew a thing or two about the Dark Helminth Ghost sect, which had been infamous in its existence, up until 800 years ago, before it met its demise at the hands of the Order. And the information they had access to, wasn't light either, considering their station within the kingdom.

"Then that makes things easier. Our history with them isn't a secret. Su Liwei's target was me and only me. He used the evaluation as an opportunity to strike.

He is already dead and the Order will be handling any matters associated with him and his organization. So you can all rest assured that the Summerfield kingdom will not be implicated in this, in any way," said Yang Qing as he tried to ease their tension.

Even if it now existed as a shell of its former self, the Dark Helminth Ghost sect was still leagues above what the Summerfield kingdom could handle.

They had a domain expert and a few palace realm experts at the helm. Who knows how many other talents had joined their ranks over the years?

The red pearl and the rotten wood were monarch-grade treasures, which showed the sect still had a few reserves in them capable of easily toppling a rank 4 kingdom like the Summerfield kingdom, should they decide to turn their attention their way.

Yang Qing's statement helped ease whatever worries Prince Wenyan and Captain Bu Zhe may have had though Prince Wenyan still seemed a bit troubled.

" I thank you Judge Yang Qing on behalf of my kingdom. I would also like to offer an apology for being negligent in our duties which allowed such an attack to happen.

I'm deeply ashamed and sorry for it, if there is anything we can do, please do not hesitate to ask," Prince Wenyan solemnly said as both he and Captain Bu Zhe bowed in guilt, moreso the latter as he had been put in charge of maintaining security.

"Don't be so hard on yourselves, there's nothing to apologize for. I sprung up the whole thing on your kingdom at the last minute.

And even if I had given you ample time, the person from the Dark Helminth Ghost sect would have still got in.

This is a sect that has managed to evade even us, a few times and etch out survival for the past 800 years.

Such a reputation is not unwarranted, they have the skills to back it up. I'm afraid even the Spiritual Temperance sect would be in the same situation, were they placed in the same shoes as you.

So brother Wenyan, brother Bu Zhe, my humble advice would be this; if you want to take responsibility, do so for the things that are within your power to do so, as for things that aren't, just shake them off and leave it to those who can. Beating yourself up about it won't change anything, you might as well let it go, life is easier that way.

I do it all the time," Yang Qing said as he smiled in satisfaction when he remembered the pile of trouble he dropped on the domain-level branch chief of the Yellow Plains branch.

The domain leader of the Golden bamboo pavilion was someone else's problem. He was just a puny palace realm expert. He had zero guilt whenever he dumped problems above his pay grade to others.

It's one of the reasons he would never leave the Order no matter how many times he complained or how they ruthlessly exploited him. There was never a shortage of people willing to take care of his problems in strides. It was as easy as breathing to them, the same way he easily disciplined the three palace realm experts on behalf of Ellie.