Chapter 31 Where is Lord Jiang, the Mirage Needle Master, going next?

Pei Xueyi deliberately kept everyone in suspense, not directly answering Jiang Geyun's question, but instead began to introduce the Xuandu Bureau:

“I don’t know how the princess told A-Yun, she probably didn’t go into too much detail, so let me fill in the gaps for A-Yun—one of the three departments under the Xuandu Bureau, ‘the Department of Suppressing Evil and Purifying the Inauspicious,’” Pei Xueyi turned around and smiled, full of vigor, “This is the territory of our Department of Suppressing Evil!”

The vermilion gate with its golden studs perfectly matched Jiang Geyun's imagination of an ancient government office. The gate in front of them opened automatically, revealing a magnificent screen wall behind it, which appeared to be made of white marble.

The screen wall was outlined with some ferocious beasts that Jiang Geyun couldn't name. They seemed to be able to move, as if they could leave the screen wall and come to the two of them at any moment.

“Don’t worry,” Pei Xueyi said, “they won’t attack Ayun right now.”

Not now?

What about later?

Jiang Geyun was silent for a moment, then said, "I know, I'll be fine following Xueyi."

Pei Xueyi said happily, "That's right! Hmm... the next thing to talk about is 'predicting fortune and misfortune, recording yin and yang,' the divination office—which is in charge of administration and divination."

"The supervisor that A-Yun just met is from the divination department. Supervisors of the Xuandu Bureau usually come from the divination department."

“Lu Jianzheng is good at dealing with people. He’s usually quite annoying, but he’s very reliable in times like this! The Crown Prince probably won’t realize we’re missing for a while.”

Pei Xueyi's smile carried a hint of smugness.

Can't you find it? Hard to say.

Jiang Geyun, however, felt that he did it on purpose.

Although the purpose is unclear.

Jiang Geyun nodded to indicate that she had noted it down, and then asked, "So, the last one is the Surveying and Mapping Division?"

Pei Xueyi said, "'Investigating the heavens and the people, the case is judged without injustice,' which is competing with the Dali Temple for a job."

"Logically speaking, this matter concerning the mission should be handled by the Investigation and Investigation Division. Whether it's solving cases or summoning soul formations, the people in the Investigation and Investigation Division are more familiar with them... Why did the Crown Prince say he wanted to come to our Strange Suppression Division? That's strange."

Jiang Geyun asked, "If that's the case, why were you the ones who went to Lianzhou before?"

Pei Xueyi shrugged and said, "The letter we received was to subdue the Shadow of Evil, which is naturally the job of our Zhenyi Division. I never expected that such a thing would happen later."

"Then the Mirage Compass," Jiang Geyun said, "is it also part of the duties of the Bureau of Suppressing Strange Things?"

Pei Xueyi shook her head. "No, this job is rotated. This time it's just the Zhenyi Division's turn." Her tone became more and more indignant as she spoke. "Nothing much happened in previous years, but this year the Tu Lan delegation arrived a few months early, so everyone in the division had to do their best to catch up. The other two divisions didn't help at all! They have no camaraderie at all!"

Jiang Geyun said, "If this matter falls to the other two departments..."

Pei Xueyi made a quick and decisive statement: "What does that have to do with our Zhenyi Division! We're busy going to all sorts of places to apprehend all kinds of troublesome guys!"

“Okay,” Jiang Geyun said, both amused and exasperated, “this is such a display of camaraderie. What should I do next?”

Pei Xueyi snorted twice and said, "Didn't Ayun just ask where Xiao Xie and my brother went?"

Jiang Geyun looked at Pei Xueyi and nodded with a slight smile.

Pei Xueyi coughed lightly, "They say there's an evil spirit causing trouble, so the prison sent Xiao Xie to Ci'en Temple. Ci'en Temple is located in the suburbs of the capital, and evil spirits are the most difficult to deal with. I'm afraid he won't be back for a while."

Ci'en Temple?

...

Jiang Geyun suppressed the sudden memory and asked the system: [Is there a similar plot in the original work?]

The system replied: [Did you encounter a beautiful foreign woman while exorcising evil spirits at the temple? Yes, host, yes.]

Jiang Geyun: [...]

Jiang Geyun stopped talking to the system and listened attentively to Pei Xueyi's story.

Pei Xueyi counted on her fingers, reaching the second one, "As for my elder brother, he felt he had made many mistakes in the Lianzhou incident, so he requested to leave the capital to gain experience..."

Oh, Pei Xuexiao left in a huff, and Jiang Geyun blinked.

At this point, Pei Xueyi withdrew her finger, her gaze becoming very serious, and her tone becoming very heavy:

"Ah Yun, do you think they're trying to avoid making the compass?"

Although it probably isn't, it does look somewhat like it.

Jiang Geyun couldn't help but ask, "Is this compass difficult to make?"

Is Zheng Yi really making her do hard labor?

Pei Xueyi asked, "Does Ayun know the source of the Xuan Du Jian's natal fire?"

Jiang Geyun naturally replied, "I don't know."

Pei Xueyi said, "In essence, the stronger the soul, the stronger the flame. In appearance, it burns along with the flow of blood."

Jiang Geyun pondered for a moment and asked, "So, does the Xuandu Supervisor believe there is a strong connection between blood and soul?"

Pei Xueyi's expression was blank. Even without her saying it, Jiang Geyun could tell that the unspoken words were about to come out: "Actually, I don't know either."

The introduction just now was mostly something Pei Xueyi was forced to memorize by rote.

Not wanting to press her, Jiang Geyun smiled and changed the subject, "Speaking of which, what are the difficulties in making a compass?"

Finally, when the crucial point was mentioned, Pei Xueyi's expression changed to one of deep bitterness and resentment.

"The compass base and assembly aren't difficult, but the Mirage Needle needs to be tempered with one's natal fire, which is very demanding. Ah Yun, look at me, don't I look much paler..."

As she spoke, Pei Xueyi began to sway, as if she was about to fall into Jiang Geyun's arms.

Jiang Geyun helped her up and said with a smile, "You've worn Xueyi out."

No wonder Zheng Yi immediately ordered Xie and Pei to take Jiang Geyun over after learning about her talent through the soul-summoning ritual.

Whether it's making the Mirage Needle or anything else, combined with Jiang Geyun's undeveloped but limitless potential abilities and her clean and extremely ordinary background, even she herself has to admit that she is a very suitable... consumable.

Use it when it's convenient, and use it when it's not...

Jiang Geyun concealed her emotions and focused on comforting Pei Xueyi.

The two chatted for a few minutes, and before they knew it, they had arrived at their destination.

The space in front of her was almost exactly as Jiang Geyun had imagined it when she was outside the door.

It is incredibly grand and full of historical significance, but the arrangement of various items is somewhat messy.

At a glance, there were roughly twenty or thirty people, all focused on their work.

"This is the training ground of the Zhenyi Division. We used to use it to stretch our muscles. During special times, everyone gathers here to practice the Si Shen needle. The Zhenyi Division personnel responsible for other aspects are in other areas. Time is tight, so I won't take Ayun there today."

Pei Xueyi rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward.

Jiang Geyun followed behind her, listening to her introduction.

No matter how magnificent this space is, the people here are already used to it and find nothing strange about it; everyone treats it as usual.

Rather, no one here seemed to be a member of some mysterious organization.

Everyone looked utterly hopeless, blankly continuing the mechanical movements they were doing.

Several people noticed Pei Xueyi's return, greeted her a few times, and then lowered their heads to continue their "work".

Jiang Geyun whispered, "It's so tiring."

Tears welled up in Pei Xueyi's eyes as she clenched her fist and said, "That's right! If you had told me earlier that I wanted to do this kind of work, I would have preferred not to join the Xuandu Bureau!"

Given Pei Xueyi's personality, it's normal for her to have such thoughts.

She loves participating in strange and unusual things. The daily work of Zhenyisi suits her well, but it would be strange if she could stand this kind of mechanical work that requires following rules and regulations.

Jiang Geyun reached out and patted Pei Xueyi to comfort her.

Pei Xueyi seemed somewhat surprised and turned to look at Jiang Geyun.

In the end, Pei Xueyi didn't say anything, but with a smile, she introduced the method of making the Mirage Needle to Jiang Geyun.

The names "Shenzhen Needle" and "Shenzhen Compass" already indicate their function.

The Tulan Dynasty was situated in a unique location and faced unique predicaments.

In the vast grasslands and deserts, the Tulan people sometimes encounter illusionary existences, but these mirages are not ordinary mirages as Jiang Geyun knows them. These mirages can take lives—just like the bizarre spaces that the underworld can access.

Compared to the controllable Netherworld Path, the uncontrollable Mirage Realm is even more ferocious; those who come never return.

The mirage compass is a tool that can identify mirages.

Furthermore, it can also react to some malicious ghosts and demons, making it a wonderful tool that is essential for home and travel.

Just like the magic array used in the previous soul summoning, this Mirage Compass was also something researched by the Xuandu Supervisors. Not only is its manufacturing method a closely guarded secret, but the Xuandu Supervisors also need to participate in its creation.

The Tulan people could survive without this, but everyone always wants to fight for a chance at survival. Therefore, in addition to paying tribute, the Tulan would also pray to the Great Zhou, hoping to be granted the Shencha compass. The Great Zhou was powerful and had many nations paying tribute, so it was naturally not stingy.

This answered one of Jiang Geyun's questions—why the accountant asked her not to reveal to Su Heng that she was only temporarily serving the Xuandu Bureau and that she was not actually a member of the Xuandu Bureau.

Zheng Yi has his reasons for employing people, but these reasons may not be acceptable to Su Heng.

Jiang Geyun, who has not officially entered the Xuandu Bureau, actually knows the secret of how to make the Si Shenzhen. If Su Heng finds out, wouldn't he take the opportunity to impeach Zheng Yi?

If things really develop to this point, Jiang Geyun's fate will not be good either.

It's likely that the main villain also realized this, which is why he kept pressing them.

It seems her caution was justified.

Having resolved a question in her mind, Jiang Geyun relaxed a bit and lowered her head to carefully observe Pei Xueyi's actions.

Pei Xueyi showed her the array formations needed for the tempering process, and demonstrated several times how to temper the Mirage Needle with her natal fire.

The Mirage Needle needs to be refined seven times, with various effects accumulating layer by layer. If it fails, all previous efforts will be wasted, making it a task that greatly tests one's patience.

Jiang Geyun roughly memorized the process and was about to try it out in front of Pei Xueyi.

Pei Xueyi suddenly grabbed her and pointed to the door they had passed through when they came in.

Jiang Geyun turned her head to look in the direction the finger was pointing.

A kind-looking young man stood at the entrance, waving towards Pei Xueyi and Jiang Geyun. If Jiang Geyun remembered correctly, he was one of the people in the crowd behind Lu Jianzheng earlier.

The two exchanged a glance, then stood up together and went to the young man's side.

The young man smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Gentlemen, would you mind accompanying me to the Bureau of Prophecy?"

*

The Zhenyi Division was already a magnificent place rarely seen, but unexpectedly, the Chenwei Division was even more impressive.

After entering the first gate, Jiang Geyun first saw a huge courtyard.

The ceiling of a typical courtyard is open and transparent, and the courtyard of the Divination Bureau also appears empty at first glance. However, if you look down, you can see strange patterns of light reflected on the ground, which may be due to some kind of mechanism.

Following the patterns of light, we entered another door and arrived at the Office of Prophecy.

Looking up, one could see a dome, high and wide, with a black material as its base, upon which countless pearl-like objects adorned a celestial map—it should be a celestial map, though Jiang Geyun didn't know much about it.

A huge armillary sphere hangs beneath the dome. Both the pearl and the armillary sphere seem to be controlled by some mechanism, moving slowly and steadily like a mechanical clock.

Heaven and earth, the four directions, past and present, are all contained within this single room.

It's truly astonishing.

Despite having seen many wonders, Jiang Geyun was still stunned.

Pei Xueyi noticed Jiang Geyun's shock and pouted with some dissatisfaction, saying, "This place is still so flashy but impractical!"

She didn't lower her voice, and the young man leading the way heard her clearly.

The young man didn't care at all, and his tone was even somewhat humble. He said, "Thanks to the great Zhou's favor, our department has such furnishings. It may seem a bit extravagant, but all the furnishings in the department are of great use. It is really necessary to do this, and it is also for the peace and happiness of the great Zhou and the smooth operation of the prison."

The luxurious office building is one thing, but the money spent on it felt like a last resort.

It has to be the administration building.

Pei Xueyi pouted, made a face at Jiang Geyun behind the young man's back, and mouthed, "Look at them!"

Jiang Geyun smiled faintly and shook her head.

Led by the young man, the two soon arrived at a room filled with a faint, ethereal fragrance. Copper bells hung in the four corners, and the furnishings were understated yet elegant.

As soon as she entered, Jiang Geyun saw that supervisor Lu again.

In just a short while, the thin old fox seemed to have shriveled up considerably, and looked somewhat tired. If it weren't for the fact that he dared not neglect the other person sitting in front of him, the road supervisor would probably have collapsed into his chair on the spot.

To the left of the road supervisor, sitting in the main seat, was Su Heng.

Jiang Geyun subconsciously looked back at the road she had come from.

The movement was minor, and it could easily be explained as an unconscious act.

But Su Heng clearly didn't think so.

He half-raised his eyelashes and said in a tone that was neither a smile nor a laugh:

"Lord Jiang, where else are we going?"

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Author's note: Here I come! [kissing emoji]

I especially love making up four-character idioms. Damn it, is my chuunibyou phase still not over yet?! But adults don't need to memorize these words. They're basically just things like fighting, solving cases, or doing administrative work. The main text can't use such straightforward words, so I tried my best to be a little chuunibyou!