Chapter 1247: [Justice]

The Pu Family.

"Officer Han Meng, the Family Head requests your presence."

Under the peach blossom tree at the entrance of the guest wing, a figure wearing a black Law Enforcer trench coat was quietly gazing at the distant blue sky. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of his coat, and he seemed lost in thought.

The respectful voice from behind pulled Han Meng back to reality.

"...Lead the way."

He replied faintly.

The Pu family estate was vast, with Chinese-style guest wings, covered bridges, and gardens intricately laid out like an ancient royal mansion. Every flower and tree exuded refinement and elegance, and combined with the South Sea Domain’s year-round spring climate, it was undoubtedly an excellent place for recuperation.

Han Meng followed the Pu family member through one garden after another. Occasionally, other Pu family members would notice this black-clad man who seemed so out of place in their estate, their brows furrowing in surprise as they whispered to each other, wondering who he was.

The Pu family had dedicated guest rooms for visitors; it was rare for someone to be arranged to stay directly in the inner courtyard.

"Is the Pu Family Head that demigod of the Path of Books?" Han Meng asked suddenly.

The guide shook his head.

"No, that demigod is our Pu family ancestor. He lives in seclusion beneath the cliffs year-round and rarely leaves unless the South Sea Monarch personally comes to invite him... The daily affairs of the Pu family are basically handled by his son, the current Family Head."

Han Meng nodded slightly.

Everyone knew that the South Sea Pu family had a demigod guarding them, but information about this demigod was scarce. Even Han Meng had never seen him in person; he had only heard that such a person existed in the Pu family...

But Han Meng was puzzled. He had almost no connection to the Pu family, so why were they paying so much attention to him?

A few minutes later, Han Meng was brought to the door of an elegant study.

"Officer Han Meng, please come in."

Han Meng pushed the door open and stepped inside decisively.

Bright sunlight streamed through the intricately carved windows, illuminating the calligraphy scrolls hanging all over the room. The paper, thin as cicada wings, fluttered in the breeze, creating a soothing, crisp rustling sound.

Amidst the countless scrolls, a figure in a dark ink-colored robe sat behind a rosewood desk, holding a brush and writing something with intense focus.

As Han Meng stepped into the room, he felt a heavy sense of accumulated literary depth wash over him, as if he were being enveloped by some invisible force, making his shoulders feel heavy.

"Mr. Han has arrived."

The middle-aged figure stopped writing immediately, a smile appearing on his lips. He gestured for Han Meng to sit.

Han Meng walked through the white waves of calligraphy, nodded politely to the middle-aged figure, and sat calmly in the guest chair. "First time meeting. Thank you for your hospitality."

"It is indeed our first time meeting, but I have heard of your affairs for a long time," the Pu Family Head said with a leisurely smile. "The genius Law Enforcer of the Aurora Domain, the youngest leader of [Trial]... and the fierce man who put thirty-six councilors on trial single-handedly."

Hearing the last sentence, Han Meng’s face remained expressionless. He was silent for a moment before asking:

"My current status is that of a prisoner... The Pu family’s supervision of me is perhaps too lenient."

The Family Head smiled slightly.

"Indeed... what you did, to put it mildly, was provoke the Alliance Assembly; to put it strongly, it was attempted murder of thirty-six high-ranking human officials... If it weren't for Red Sleeve protecting you, you would likely be facing life imprisonment.

However, your provocation of the Alliance Assembly—what does that have to do with our Pu family?

The Alliance Assembly was established under the leadership of the South Sea Monarch; our ancestor actually doesn't have much interest in it. Besides, when he heard what you did, he actually praised you highly. He thinks very highly of you."

"The Pu family’s demigod thinks highly of me?" Han Meng was surprised.

"That’s right."

The Pu Family Head solemnly took a black wooden box from under the desk and handed it to Han Meng.

"When we heard you were being transferred to the South Sea Domain, the ancestor instructed me to treat you well. He even personally wrote a piece of calligraphy for you as a welcoming gift from our Pu family..."

Han Meng looked down at the wooden box and, after a moment of hesitation, opened it on the spot.

Inside the box was a rolled-up scroll.

Han Meng slowly opened the scroll, and two upright, powerful characters seemed to leap into his vision as if breaking free from the constraints of the paper!

——【Justice】.

Every stroke was sharp and piercing. Beneath the seemingly steady flow of the characters lay a sharp, exposed pride. For some reason, even though Han Meng only saw two words, he felt as if he were seeing a figure standing straight before all living beings, standing like an unyielding sword and a fearless spear amidst their anger and accusations.

Han Meng’s gaze was completely drawn to these two characters. He felt a part of his heart begin to resonate with them—it was an indescribable feeling...

But in that process, his [Trial] path seemed to become clearer, and he took a massive step forward.

After a long time, he finally put the scroll away in a daze...

Was this the power of a demigod of the Path of Books?

"...Thank you," Han Meng said sincerely. "I really like this gift."

"I’m glad you like it," the Family Head nodded slightly. "Although it is imprisonment, our Pu family will not restrict your freedom. You can move freely within the courtyard, but if you want to go out, it’s best to have Chunshu or Xiachan accompany you... just don't give those councilors any excuse to use against you."

The Family Head thought for a moment and added:

"One more thing, I must warn you... even within the Pu family, except for me, Chunshu, and Xiachan, it’s best not to get too close to other unfamiliar Pu family members."

Although Han Meng wasn't keen on interacting with others anyway, he was puzzled by the warning:

"Why?"

"The Pu family is a large clan with many direct and collateral branches. Many years ago, one collateral branch made a mistake and was expelled from the Pu family. They traveled far and eventually went to the Aurora Domain... I heard that you and they had some conflicts."

Han Meng was stunned. Memories immediately flooded back of the Pu family members he had seen in the Aurora Domain who were attached to the Star Chamber of Commerce... Chen Ling had killed a young Pu family member in the Ancient Treasury of the Path of Soldiers, and later, when a Pu family elder came, Han Meng had beaten him up. Later, Chen Ling had wiped out the entire Pu family branch, leaving almost no survivors.

"That did happen."

"Some elders of that collateral branch are still in the Pu family, and they have branched out again over the years and are doing quite well... You should be careful of them. Although they wouldn't dare do anything openly, in the shadows, it’s hard to say."

Han Meng wasn't worried about this; he just replied faintly:

"Thank you for the warning, Family Head... The Pu family has already helped me enough. I will handle these small matters myself."