The prisoners' confessions during the journey home painted a picture that made Moxuan's jaw clench with suppressed anger. Three more groups like theirs operated in the surrounding territories—all former sect disciples abandoned after dangerous missions, all driven to demonic cultivation by desperation and betrayal.
"Iron Mountain Sect recruited over two hundred young cultivators from rural villages," the bandit leader, who had given his name as Zhang Wei, explained as they rode. "Promised proper training, advancement opportunities, protection for our families. Instead, we became expendable assets for their most dangerous operations."
Systematic exploitation, Moxuan thought grimly. And when the survivors demanded fair treatment, they were cast out to prevent political embarrassment.
"The other groups you mentioned—are they still in contact with each other?"
"Loose communication network," Zhang Wei admitted. "We share intelligence about sect movements and safe territories, but mostly we stay separate. Too many groups in one area attracts attention we can't handle."
Liu Feng rode closer, his expression troubled by the implications. "Young Master Lin, if these reports are accurate, this represents a significant regional security problem. Dozens of corrupted cultivators operating throughout multiple territories."
More than Liu Feng realizes, Moxuan noted. If similar recruitment and abandonment patterns exist with other sects, the number could be in the hundreds.
"The corruption you've been practicing," he asked Zhang Wei, "how advanced has it become? Are you still capable of orthodox cultivation if proper treatment were available?"
Zhang Wei's spiritual energy fluctuated as he tested his own condition. "Early stages still, but progressing rapidly. Maybe six months before it becomes irreversible." His voice carried grim acceptance. "We knew the price when we chose this path."
Six months, Moxuan calculated. Enough time for intervention if anyone cared enough to provide it.
They crested a hill that provided view of the compound below, its familiar walls and gardens looking peaceful in the afternoon sunlight. But Moxuan's enhanced perception detected something wrong—too many spiritual signatures for normal household activity, and several that didn't belong to family or servants.
Visitors, he realized with sharp attention. Multiple groups with cultivation levels that suggest official business rather than casual calls.
"Wei Da," he called to his guard, "do you recognize the spiritual signatures around the compound?"
The older man extended his senses, then frowned. "Azure Mountain Sect representatives, definitely. Also unfamiliar signatures—Golden Core level minimum. More formal business than your prisoner situation would normally require."
Either coincidence or related to our bandit investigation, Moxuan thought. Neither possibility promises simple resolution.
"Liu Feng, should we expect sect leadership response to bandit elimination this quickly?"
"Not normally," Liu Feng replied with obvious concern. "Unless other factors have escalated the situation beyond simple local security matters."
Complications multiplying, Moxuan recognized. Success in one area creating problems in others.
As they approached the compound gates, Old Chen appeared with the purposeful stride that marked important developments requiring immediate family attention. His positioning and demeanor suggested preparation for complex diplomatic consultation rather than routine homecoming.
"Young Master," he said formally after acknowledging Liu Feng and noting the secured prisoners, "your father requests immediate consultation about your investigation results. Regional authorities have arrived with questions about bandit activities and sect jurisdiction over law enforcement matters."
Political complications from successful operation, Moxuan realized. Different authorities claiming responsibility for problems we've already solved.
"What type of regional authorities?"
"Iron Mountain Sect representatives claiming jurisdiction over their former disciples," Old Chen replied with subtle emphasis that suggested political rather than legal motivations. "Also Continental Trading Consortium security investigating threats to merchant operations."
The same sect that created these bandits now wants to clean up their mess quietly, Moxuan understood with growing cynicism. And the merchant consortium wants to ensure their business interests are protected regardless of justice considerations.
"Young Master Lin," Zhang Wei said quietly, "if Iron Mountain Sect has sent representatives, they're not here for redemption or treatment. They'll want us eliminated to prevent embarrassing revelations about their recruitment practices."
Probably accurate assessment, Moxuan agreed silently. Sect reputation matters more than individual lives, especially when those lives represent potential scandal.
"Liu Feng, what's Azure Mountain Sect's position on jurisdiction disputes with other sects?"
"Cooperation when possible, but protection of our sponsored cultivators takes priority," Liu Feng replied diplomatically. "Your investigation was conducted under our authority, which gives us legitimate interest in any resolution."
Support, but limited by political considerations, Moxuan translated. Azure Mountain Sect will protect me but might sacrifice the prisoners if necessary for intersect relations.
As they entered the compound, the complexity of the gathering became apparent. The main courtyard hosted three separate groups—Azure Mountain Sect elders near the eastern pavilion, Iron Mountain Sect representatives by the main hall, and what appeared to be consortium security specialists examining the compound's defensive arrangements with professional interest.
Everyone has their own agenda, he observed. And none of those agendas necessarily include justice for exploited cultivators or solutions to systematic problems.
Lin Tianming emerged from the main hall with the careful bearing of someone managing political pressures that exceeded normal family consultation requirements. His expression showed relief at Moxuan's return mixed with concern about the complications his success had attracted.
"Moxuan, your investigation appears to have been more successful than anticipated," he said with subtle warning about the political situation. "Multiple interested parties have arrived to discuss resolution of the bandit problem and jurisdiction over any captured individuals."
Translation: everyone wants to control the outcome for their own purposes, Moxuan understood. The prisoners have become political assets rather than people requiring justice or treatment.
"Father, what specific positions have been presented?"
"Iron Mountain Sect claims authority over their former disciples and requests immediate custody for internal discipline. Continental Trading Consortium wants assurance that merchant routes will be secure and that any resolution prevents future incidents. Azure Mountain Sect supports your investigation methods but seeks coordination with other authorities for regional stability."
Standard political dance, Moxuan recognized. Everyone claiming legitimate authority while pursuing objectives that serve their own interests rather than addressing root causes.
Elder Zhao stepped forward from the Azure Mountain Sect group, her presence commanding immediate attention from all parties. "Young Master Lin, your handling of this investigation has exceeded expectations. However, the political implications now require careful management to ensure productive outcomes for all stakeholders."
She's offering political protection in exchange for compliance with whatever compromise they've negotiated, he realized. Probably reasonable from their perspective, but potentially disastrous for the prisoners who trusted my promises of alternative solutions.
"What compromise has been proposed?"
"Iron Mountain Sect acknowledges responsibility for proper handling of their former disciples, including treatment for spiritual corruption and investigation of recruitment practices that may have contributed to current problems," Elder Zhao explained. "In exchange, custody transfers immediately for internal sect discipline and rehabilitation."
Translation: the prisoners disappear into Iron Mountain Sect custody where they can be dealt with quietly without public embarrassment, Moxuan interpreted. Probably execution disguised as failed treatment.
Zhang Wei's expression confirmed his assessment—recognition that political compromise meant death despite promises of cooperation and rehabilitation.
Decision point, Moxuan realized. Accept political expediency that serves everyone except the people who actually need justice, or create complications that serve justice but damage political relationships.
"Elder Zhao, what assurances exist that treatment and rehabilitation will be genuine rather than simply convenient disposal of embarrassing evidence?"
The question created subtle tension among all three groups, none of whom had apparently expected challenges to their negotiated compromise.
"Young Master," Elder Zhao said carefully, "such assurances must be based on trust between sect allies and shared interest in regional stability."
No assurances at all, he translated. Pure political expedience disguised as reasonable compromise.
Time to discover whether my principles or my pragmatism wins this particular battle, he thought as he prepared to make a choice that would define his character in ways that went far beyond simple success or failure.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the courtyard as multiple sets of eyes waited for his response to political pressure that offered easy solutions at the cost of genuine justice.
Everything depends on whether I'm willing to accept the price of efficiency when that price is paid by people who trusted my promises.