The Cloudwater Sword Sect is the number one sect in Mingshan Prefecture, with a Grandmaster-level powerhouse sitting in residence.
If a Martial Master is only a match for a hundred men, then an Innate expert is a match for a thousand, and as for a Grandmaster, they're a match for ten thousand. That 'ten-thousand-man enemy' isn't an exaggeration—it's a fact.
That's because a Grandmaster really can face an army of ten thousand alone—and wipe them all out.
The garrison in the prefectural city of Mingshan is only three thousand strong, and even if you add the forces of all five counties, it's just five thousand. In other words, the entire army of Mingshan Prefecture can't even match a single Grandmaster. That's why the authorities tread so carefully around the Cloudwater Sword Sect.
Luckily, even though the Cloudwater Sword Sect is so powerful, they don't throw their weight around. Instead, they regularly send disciples to wipe out demons and monsters causing trouble in the region, which makes their reputation with the common folk pretty high.
If the prefect tried to mobilize the army against Cloudwater, at least half the soldiers would rebel.
That's why, when they heard the name 'Cloudwater Sword Sect,' Leo Li and Trevor Sutton's faces changed dramatically.
Because even the prefect can't afford to offend the Cloudwater Sword Sect, let alone them.
"Thanks for your concern, Senior Sister," Ian Song said to Chloe Cao. "I'm perfectly fine. The Sutton Clan isn't nearly strong enough to bully me!" Then, turning to Leo Li, he added, "Sir, let's go—I'll accompany you to see the prefect!"
"Uh...?"
Leo Li couldn't help showing hesitation and distress, cursing the Suttons in his heart. Of all the people to offend, they just had to pick someone from the Cloudwater Sword Sect—were they looking to die?
Seeing Leo Li like this, Ian Song realized just how much everyone feared the Cloudwater Sword Sect. He'd underestimated their influence a bit. So he said, "Sir, don't worry so much. It's best to explain everything directly to the prefect!"
Thud!
Just then, Trevor Sutton dropped to his knees in front of Ian Song, trembling as he pleaded, "Young master, it's all my fault—I failed to teach my son. Please spare my life! I'm willing to pay ten thousand taels of silver as compensation!"
"If apologies worked, what would we need the authorities for?" Ian Song sneered, showing zero sympathy.
Hearing this, Trevor Sutton collapsed completely. He knew the Sutton Clan was finished. This kid was from the Cloudwater Sword Sect—the prefect wouldn't dare protect him. After all, both he and his son had committed enough crimes to warrant execution several times over.
A quarter of an hour later.
The group arrived at the prefectural yamen. Trevor Sutton couldn't walk anymore and had to be carried by two constables.
"Young Master Song, Heroine Cao, please wait here. I'll go report to the prefect right away!"
Ian Song nodded.