463 Chapter 463
It rained all day in the capital of Nanjing. Perhaps because of the overcast and rainy weather, it got dark rather early.
Yu Yuan didn't bring back any useful information, so later that evening, He Xinsi went to the palace wall himself. He looked up at the high wall, and as he stared intently, his gaze pierced through the obstruction, revealing the rain and street walls outside.
During the day, he sensed being spied on within the Four Directions Heaven-Reaching Array, which was extremely rare and made He Xinsi extra vigilant.
Recently, many people have come to the capital, but it is all within a controllable range.
After the mysterious message is revealed, Shui Zhou will also send people. Sun Heng will definitely be there, but he won't pose a significant threat.
"We've increased patrols recently," He Xinsi said in a low voice.
Yu Yuan bowed his head in response.
Just as He Xinsi was about to leave, she noticed something unusual in the opposite direction.
His eyes were focused, and his hands were forming hand seals beneath his sleeves.
The Taoist secret of the soul departing from heaven.
A ray of golden light flew away in the blink of an eye, transforming into human form and arriving outside the palace walls, but found no trace of the spy.
He Xinsi and Yu Sui sparred twice, but she couldn't see her. This made He Xinsi feel that she was at a disadvantage and had a mocking feeling of being led around.
The golden phantom of the departed soul dissipated in no time.
Unable to find the person spying on the palace through the Four Directions Heavenly Array, He Xinsi will not be able to sleep tonight.
Yu Sui left the palace first, muttering to himself that He Xinsi was too wary. Only a few moments during the day had passed, yet He Xinsi was still thinking about it until nightfall, even using his soul-separating ability to fly over and check on things personally.
She returned to the inn, but neither the Farmer's Twin Saints nor Mei Liangyu had returned.
After nightfall, Ah Ling stayed obediently in her room and did not go out.
Upon seeing Yu Sui return, A Ling happily stood up: "Sister! I didn't see anyone when I came back. I thought you had all abandoned me!"
“You’re the only one left.” Yu Sui looked around and beckoned to Aling with her finger, “Then I’ll take you out to play.”
"Okay." Ah Ling happily followed Yu Sui out the door.
Thanks to the guidance of Yu Sui and Shen Tianxue, A Ling's five elements have become much more stable.
Yu Sui believed that allowing Ah Ling to engage in more practical combat would enable her to master the art of controlling Qi more quickly, and would also increase the tolerance of that divine soul core within this body.
Even if Shen Tianxue had doubts, she would have another excuse to explain.
The Criminal Investigation Department building was brightly lit. The building had six floors, with two underground prison levels. The lights illuminated the shadowy figures moving about inside, and guards could be seen hurrying to and fro in the outer corridors.
Standing on the roof, Ah Ling looked towards the distant Xingshui Division building, black insect shadows crawling through her eyes. She explained to Yu Sui what she saw: "Layer upon layer of air currents enveloped the entire building."
Her pupils flickered, and black insect shadows swept past her eyes.
"Many flying swords were hovering above the building, flying crookedly around it."
Yu Sui said, "This is the Legalist method of punishment formations, which twists and turns like a snake."
"Is it very impressive?" Ah Ling asked.
“If you are discovered, those flying swords in the sky will fall down and riddle you with holes. They have a qi-locking ability, so no matter where you escape to in the capital, you will be tracked down,” Yu Sui said leisurely. “If the 'Turbulent Serpent' formation is triggered, you will have to release the vipers to block all those flying swords.”
"I can do it!" Ah Ling said confidently.
"Use the Breath-Swallowing Technique that Dean Shen taught you as you see fit," Yu Sui added. "Don't take anyone's life at first. If you're discovered, don't worry about anything, just run."
Ah Ling nodded, and after walking with Yu Sui for a while, she whispered, "Sister, I want to wear their clothes."
This child has a strong attachment to pretty clothes; she wants to try on any clothes she likes.
Yu Sui looked at the guards of the Xingshui Division that A Ling pointed to; their black and gold guard uniforms looked very dashing and dignified.
"Is it okay?" Ah Ling tugged at Yu Sui's sleeve.
Yu Sui arrested the people who went out to return to the Xingshui Division building, and in the blink of an eye, Ah Ling and she both changed into the uniforms of the division guards.
"Take the token and go have fun." After entering the Criminal Investigation Department building, Yu Sui left A Ling to her own devices.
Ah Ling was also eager to find someone to use the Farmer's Breath-Swallowing Technique taught by Shen Tianxue. She responded and walked away, but after taking only two steps, she turned back and made a gesture to Yu Sui:
Sister, please be careful!
The Criminal Investigation Department arrested quite a few people today.
There were people from the Communications Institute, as well as people who had gathered to cause trouble outside because of the spread of the message. Because so many people were arrested, the two underground floors were almost full, and many were left upstairs as a warning.
The lobby on the first floor was packed with people, with guards arguing and shouting with those who had been arrested. The guard in charge of recording shouted at the top of his lungs, "Those who have returned from searching for evidence at the Communications Institute, go to the sixth floor, to the Golden Pavilion on the sixth floor! Don't crowd on the first floor and stay put!"
Yu Sui mingled in the line heading to the sixth floor.
When I went upstairs, I saw a lot of people pouring out of the interrogation room in the lobby. They were shouting and fighting, making a complete mess.
But these are all ordinary people, and the guards cannot use their skills on them.
Several young men stood on a table and shouted, "Let us into the palace to see His Majesty! The Director of the Communications Bureau has colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country! Why isn't this being investigated!"
"The Holy Maiden has been misled by treacherous people and has harmed loyal and virtuous people. She is completely unworthy to take over the position of Director of the Punishment and Water Division!"
These words resonated with many, sparking outrage among the crowd.
"Insolence!" Deputy Commander Liu heard these arrogant words as soon as he came downstairs. His face darkened and he immediately began to curse, "Who are these people? How dare they speak ill of the royal family! Take them away immediately..."
"Deputy Commander Liu, His Highness said we must not lay a hand on the common people." The guard beside him whispered, trying to stop Deputy Commander Liu from his murderous intent.
Looking at the arrogant demeanor of the two young men, it seemed they knew that the Criminal Investigation Department couldn't do anything to them.
"Take them all to the dungeon to await trial!" Under Xun Zhiya's orders, Deputy Chief Liu had no choice but to lock them up first.
"Hurry up and clear everyone off the first floor!" he roared angrily, ordering the guards to take the people away.
Ah Ling stayed behind to watch the commotion and hadn't gone far. Just as she was about to slip away, someone shouted, "Quickly take your men to the dungeon! Let's go!"
Two young men on the table were being dragged forward by four or five people. Ah Ling was pushed forward and had no choice but to follow them.
More than twenty people squeezed into the descending dragon ladder, with Ah Ling squeezed at the very back.
The people in front were still arguing, their voices so loud it sounded like they were about to start fighting.
Ah Ling hid in a corner of the Dragon Ladder and secretly cast a spell. The blue-purple firefly lights silently dispersed inside the Dragon Ladder, hiding in Shi Weimen's hair and settling on the skin behind his neck.
In the blink of an eye, the venomous insects burrowed into their flesh and blood, devouring their five elements of energy, which were then transferred into Ah Ling's body with each breath.
This is undoubtedly another forbidden technique used by farmers.
Shen Tianxue told A Ling, "When using the Breath Swallowing Technique, you need to keep your breathing steady and slow. If you lose your breathing rhythm due to fright or fear, and the breathing becomes reversed, you may accidentally send your own Five Elements Qi out instead."
Ah Ling was timing her retraction of the viper when a muffled thud suddenly came from the dragon ladder, startling her so much that her heart skipped a beat, her breathing became erratic, and she coughed violently.
The dragon ladder opened, and Sheng Fei, who was talking to someone outside the door, turned around and saw the noisy guards.
Sheng Fei took two steps back, letting the guards escort the prisoner out first.
"Lord Xia." The guards who went out all nodded to the man beside Sheng Fei.
Xia Feichen's expression was cold and stern. As the head of the Water Conservancy Division, one of the Thirteen Divisions, he was ordered to come to the Punishment Division to assist.
"Why are you still sending people down there?" he asked coldly.
"These guys are spouting nonsense and attacking His Highness up there. Deputy Commander Liu is furious and has ordered us to lock them up underground," Si Wei replied solemnly.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone heard uncontrollable coughing coming from inside the dragon ladder.
Sheng Fei and Xia Feichen turned to look into the Dragon Ladder. Everyone had left, except for Ah Ling, who was still bent over, covering her mouth and coughing incessantly, looking very uncomfortable.
Xia Feichen stepped forward to investigate.
"Master, this child's asthma has flared up. I'll take her to get her medicine right away." Two figures rushed into the Dragon Ladder before Xia Feichen, carrying A-Ling out on either side and opening the medicine bottle to shove it into A-Ling's mouth.
Ah Ling stared at the two of them with fear and shock in her eyes, her mouth covered so she couldn't speak.
Who is it?
The two Wen brothers, disguised as guards, quickly led Ah Ling away.
Once they reached a secluded corner, Wen Yangxiu whispered to A Ling, "Luckily, those two didn't realize you were using the Breath Swallowing Technique. Quickly swallow this medicine, then go and stay quietly to the side and don't move, understand?"
The reason they intervened to rescue Ah Ling was because they were afraid that Ah Ling would attract the attention of Sheng Fei and Xia Feichen, causing the matter to escalate and leading to an investigation of everyone, making their actions even more complicated.
When Ah Ling saw that the other party had exposed the Nine-Style Technique she had used, she dared not resist and obediently drank the medicine. Sure enough, her cough stopped, and the pain in her chest caused by the loss of the Five Elements Qi was also relieved.
"you……"
As soon as Ah Ling opened her mouth, the two Wen Yang brothers simultaneously raised their index fingers: "Shh."
Ah Ling silently swallowed her words and made a sealing gesture around her mouth.
The Wen brothers blended into the crowd and left, leaving Ah Ling alone in a corner to recover. She rubbed her hands together to calm her breathing and focused her mind to begin the second spell.
Failure once is nothing to be afraid of, but she refused to believe it.
Wen Yangxiu glanced back and, seeing that Sheng Fei and Xia Feichen hadn't noticed anything amiss, turned to his brother with a smug grin.
Wen Yangzhou secretly gave him a thumbs-up; this kid's Thousand Faces Technique was getting better and better.
The two hurried toward the prison where Li Jinshuang was being held.
The dungeon of the Criminal Justice Bureau is divided into two levels. The lower level holds the most vicious and wicked sorcerers, while the upper level holds those who practice sorcery.
The dungeon is circular in shape. From the outside, it looks like just a circular walkway. To get to the corresponding cell, you need to open a hall door that connects different cell passages.
There were too many prisoners in the Criminal Division today. Ah Ling saw the hall doors in the corridors on both sides opening and closing, and all she could hear were the crisp sounds of the doors opening and closing.
She secretly planted worms on the Wen brothers, but didn't let them harm them. Following the trail of the worms, Ah Ling went with the Wen brothers to the basement.
The prison cell where Li Jinshuang was held was very quiet; she was the only prisoner there.
A woman dressed in casual clothes was suspended in a dimly lit room with her hands bound. Her feet were off the ground, her head was hanging down, and her clothes and hair were damp with sweat.
Although she suffered some pain, it was only superficial injuries. Before a clear punishment was handed down, no one dared to really hurt Li Jinshuang.
The fact that Li Jinshuang was imprisoned in the Criminal Water Bureau's jail proves that her Five Elements Qi was sealed, making her unable to use the Nine Streams Techniques.
Entrusted by someone, the Wen brothers went to the Criminal Investigation Department to visit Li Jinshuang and remove the seal on her, so that she would at least have the ability to protect herself.
He Xinsi's crazy ideas changed in an instant, while Xun Zhiya seemed determined to kill Li Jinshuang.
Situ Jin feared that Li Jinshuang would be imprisoned in the Xingshui Division and have her Five Elements Qi sealed, leaving her at the mercy of others.
To open the hall door, you need to enter a coded message and the corresponding key.
This was also Wen Yangxiu's forte. Many things in the dungeon of the Nanjing Criminal Investigation Department came from the Taiyi Mechanical Company, so the two of them felt as familiar with the place as if they were coming home.
The dark hall door opened with a ding, and Wen Yangxiu and Wen Yangzhou walked in one after the other. At the end of the bright corridor was a dimly lit prison cell.
As the two walked around the corner, about to enter the prison area, they saw a group of people standing in front of the gate.
Xun Zhiya stood in front of the prison gate, with her back to the two of them.
"What are you two doing?" Xun Zhiya's servant asked the Wen brothers sternly.
Wen Yangxiu considered himself unlucky. Although he successfully arrived at the prison, he bumped into the Holy Maiden who came to "visit" him.
"Your Highness, we are here to bring water to the prisoners," Wen Yangzhou replied respectfully as he stepped forward.
"Wait outside first."
Xun Zhiya opened the prison gate and went in alone, while everyone else was kept outside.
The prison was cold and damp inside, with water channels at both ends leading to the prison platform. The dark water was calm and still, stagnant water that sealed off the flow of the five elements.
Xun Zhiya looked up and saw a woman in white suspended in the center by a golden dragon-binding rope.
Li Jinshuang's forehead was damp with sweat, strands of hair clinging to her skin. Her face was pale, her body thin, and her clothes were stained with bright red blood.
Xun Zhiya walked forward, and the stagnant canal began to move, the paving stones shifted, and a path was created leading to the prison platform.
Li Jinshuang heard the sound but did not open her eyes.
Despite having her five elements sealed, she was a military strategist who had trained in physical combat for many years, making her exceptionally resilient. Even after being suspended like this for several days, she was still more able to endure it than the average person.
Xun Zhiya approached and discovered that the marks on Li Jinshuang's body were from being whipped.
“This punishment was not ordered by me,” Xun Zhiya said. “I did not order them to do this to you.”
Li Jinshuang did not respond; she seemed to be asleep, her breathing long and even.
Previously, the Criminal Investigation Department was under the management of Ji Gushun. He thought he had guessed He Xinsi's thoughts, so he used torture on Li Jinshuang.
“Ji Gushun is dead, and I am now in charge of the Criminal Affairs Department.” Xun Zhiya explained to Li Jinshuang the mysterious message that had happened that day. “The five departments worked together and investigated the Communications Institute all day, but they couldn’t find the person behind it. Don’t you think this method is familiar?”
Li Jinshuang slowly opened her eyes. These eyes, which used to always reveal a silent silence, now sharpened that silence, bringing out an invisible pressure.
She simply gazed at Xun Zhiya silently, still without uttering a word.
For some reason, Xun Zhiya felt a little scared when stared at by those eyes.
The moment she saw Li Jinshuang upon her return, she knew that this person had changed.
Xun Zhiya witnessed both of Li Jinshuang's transformations.
The first time was in Taiyi.
Li Jinshuang abandoned her male attire and reverted to her female identity.
The second time was in Nanjing.
Li Jinshuang was the only general whose position was closest to He Xinsi.
There were no female officials or female generals in the main hall. Li Jinshuang never wore court robes and always stood in the main hall in a dress.
It is said that in the first year of Li Jinshuang's appointment as a general, some busybodies stepped forward to challenge her at the hunting grounds, claiming that if Li Jinshuang lost the contest, she would withdraw from the hunt that day.
After Li Jinshuang accepted the challenge, the challenger asked her to change into more comfortable clothes before the match.
In front of everyone, He Xinsi asked if it was inconvenient, and Li Jinshuang only replied that the dress was neither convenient nor inconvenient, but only whether her ability was sufficient.
Li Jinshuang defeated seventeen challengers that day, and her clothes were spotless.
Since then, He Xinsi's favoritism towards the Li family has become increasingly apparent.
What Xun Zhiya feared was not He Xinsi's excessive favor towards the Li family, but Li Jinshuang herself.
Looking into Li Jinshuang's eyes, Xun Zhiya felt as if she were facing He Xinsi.
They were clearly two completely different auras, yet they inexplicably brought her the same fear.
"How much do you know about Nangong Sui's ability to control the Wind-Listening Ruler?" Xun Zhiya steadied herself and directly stated her purpose.
Li Jinshuang stared at her and slowly curled her lips into a half-smile.
Just when Xun Zhiya thought she would speak, Li Jinshuang closed her eyes again and remained silent.
“I met her on my way back to Nanjing. Nangong Sui is not dead, she is still alive, which should be good news for you.”
Xun Zhiya continued to coax Li Jinshuang, watching every subtle change in her expression: "The matter between you and me has caused quite a stir, and Nangong Sui must know about it. She orchestrated this to save you, sending out messages to confuse people and slander me and Gu Gan."
“Nangong Sui is ruthless and cold-hearted, but she is quite loyal and devoted to you,” Xun Zhiya said softly. “It’s because you helped her a lot in Taiyi, that’s why she even gave you the fragments of the Floating Pagoda so that you could return to Nanjing and ask the Emperor for credit and rewards.”
Li Jinshuang remained unresponsive, unwilling to answer any of Xun Zhiya's questions.
"Li Jinshuang, don't you know that I can kill you with just one word?" Xun Zhiya took a deep breath, her patience gradually being worn down by Li Jinshuang's silence.
“If this is truly His Highness’s will, then we shall do as His Highness says.” Li Jinshuang spoke clearly, in a low, calm voice.
"Aren't you afraid of dying?" Xun Zhiya's heart wavered somewhat.
“Isn’t my life or death in Your Highness’s hands?” Li Jinshuang retorted.
Xun Zhiya thought Li Jinshuang was finally willing to relent, and her tightly clenched fingers under her sleeves twitched slightly. She softened her tone and said, "As long as you are willing to identify that the fragments of the Floating Pagoda were given by Nangong Sui, and tell me everything about her, I can..."
Before she could finish speaking, Li Jinshuang interrupted, "Were these words spoken today His Highness's intention, His Majesty's instruction, or... were they instructed by Gu Gan to say them?"
Xun Zhiya's face suddenly turned cold, her eyes revealing an angry threat: "Li Jinshuang, don't be too presumptuous just because Father Emperor favors the Li family."
Li Jinshuang remained silent, only staring at her. Her dark eyes seemed to reflect nothing, but her invisible indifference was like a sharp blade pressed against Xun Zhiya's throat, sending chills down her spine.
“As long as you admit that everything that targeted me in Taiyi was done by Nangong Sui and had nothing to do with you, then I can’t do anything to you, and you can be released from prison immediately.”
Xun Zhiya dug her nails into her flesh, trying her best to present her most dignified self in front of Li Jinshuang.
“Nangong Sui is a Qingyang native, and also a criminal of Qingyang, a wanted criminal of the six kingdoms. The crimes she has committed are numerous. Even if you push everything onto her now, no one will question it further. They will simply believe it without question. You can be safe and sound, and I will no longer target you.”
"Your Highness, why do you think I won't target you after I'm released from prison?"
Li Jinshuang chuckled softly.
Xun Zhiya opened her mouth, thinking that what Li Jinshuang had just said was utterly absurd.
"I'm trying to find a way for you!" Xun Zhiya looked at Li Jinshuang in disbelief. "Is the relationship between you and Nangong Sui really that important? More important than your life and the honor of the Li family?"
"It has nothing to do with her."
Li Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly. She was a prisoner hanging on the platform, yet she looked down at Xun Zhiya from her high position.
"Your Highness, I'll say it again: what you just said, was it your decision or Gu Gan's?"
"As the Holy Maiden of Nan Jing and the future heir to the throne, have you ever had your own thoughts?"
"I don't need you to teach me how to be the Holy Maiden of Nan Jing!" Xun Zhiya lost her temper for the first time and retorted loudly.
Her face was tense, she was fully armed, and she was on guard against everything around her.
Li Jinshuang took in Xun Zhiya's loss of composure, but her face remained expressionless.
"His Majesty entrusted my life to you because he knows I am not loyal to you. Holy Maiden, what do you think you should do?"
The person in front of her should have been a prisoner, but instead of crying and begging for mercy, she judged her from a superior position.
“Li Jinshuang,” Xun Zhiya gritted her teeth, “you’ve become too arrogant.”
Her conversation failed, and her relationship with Li Jinshuang deteriorated further.
Xun Zhiya turned and left. Before stepping out of the prison gate, she calmed herself down and regained her usual cold and aloof demeanor.
"Your Highness." The people waiting outside bowed in greeting.
Xun Zhiya initially intended to ignore it and strode forward, but was stopped by someone who looked somewhat anxious and whispered, "Your Highness, something has happened outside."
"What?" Xun Zhiya asked, suppressing his impatience.
Si Wei stepped forward and whispered, Xun Zhiya's expression changed instantly, she couldn't believe it: "Quickly send people over to cordon off the scene, search the whole city, and then have Jin Lin come to see me."
She immediately left with her people.
Something very important seems to have happened, and the other guards have ignored the Wen brothers, allowing them to find a loophole and enter the prison.
After Xun Zhiya left, the guards on duty in the prison returned to their posts. They checked the water bowl that Wen Yangxiu had handed over, and after confirming that there was nothing wrong with it, they put the water bowl back into the rope opening.
The guard pulled the lever, and a golden water rope hooked the water bowl and brought it to Li Jinshuang.
The Criminal Investigation Department would give Li Jinshuang three bowls of water every day to prevent her from dying of dehydration.
Li Jinshuang looked at the clear, bright water, tilted her head slightly, and took small sips. Even though she noticed that there was something else in the water, she did not show any unusual behavior.
She pressed the pill hidden in the water under her tongue.
Seeing that the mission was complete, Wen Yangxiu happily left with his brother, preparing to return to the ground.
As soon as the two arrived at the next floor, they heard Xia Feichen announce sternly: "Everyone stay put. The Xingshui Division is sealed off tonight. Only entry is allowed, no exit. No guards are allowed to leave without authorization. Anyone who violates this rule will be considered a traitor who has infiltrated the Xingshui Division and will be executed on the spot!"
What happened again?
Wen Yangxiu and Wen Yangzhou exchanged a glance, then turned and looked at Ah Ling, who was hiding in the corner.
You've been discovered?
Ah Ling immediately saw through their thoughts and shook her head repeatedly to show that she was innocent.
She felt a little guilty, wondering if the sudden martial law imposed by the Criminal Investigation Department was because they had discovered her use of the Breath-Swallowing Technique.
What I feared most came to pass.
Xia Feichen led his men up the dragon ladder, and one of the guards suddenly fainted when the ladder opened.
"What happened?" Another person reached out to catch it, but also fainted.
Ah Ling was concentrating on retrieving the venomous insects that had been released for too long, but these insects, upon being summoned, greedily absorbed a large amount of the five elements' energy, causing the guards around Xia Feichen to faint one after another.
"alert!"
The guard drew his sword and shouted a command, instantly creating an extremely tense atmosphere.
Xia Feichen, with his sharp eyes, drew the long sword from the waist of the guard beside him and pinned the almost invisible worm to the ground.
The venomous insects released by Ah Ling had wings as thin as cicada wings, bodies like swimming fish, transparent and light, and shimmered with a bluish-purple light like fireflies.
Before Xia Feichen could take a closer look, the viper turned into a pool of black water and disappeared.
Insects?
Xia Feichen had been afflicted with insect holes by Shi Yuezhen, but the insect holes were later cured by the medical sage Jiang Shulan, who also crammed on knowledge related to worms.
In addition, Xun Zhiya returned to Nanjing and exposed her uncle Xun Zhan's actions of refining worms, so His Majesty ordered the Hundred Insect Bureau to kill everyone in Xun Zhan's mansion.
Most people didn't know the reason, but Xia Feichen did.
With a grim expression, he examined the bodies of the unconscious guards and found that they were both exhausted. He then realized that he had not been mistaken earlier; that thing was indeed a viper, and it was using the same trick of absorbing the five elements' energy!
"Go and call the doctor!" Xia Feichen blocked the entrance to the dragon staircase. "Don't let a single person out of the underground!"
"yes!"
"Where did the third young master of the Nangong family go?" Xia Feichen asked again.
The subordinate replied, "The Third Young Master just saw the bound peasant sorcerer and went to the interrogation room on the third floor."
Xia Feichen recalled what Sheng Fei had said before about the venomous insects in Xiangshan City, and heard that Shi Yuezhen and Cang Shu had both died there.
Nangong Sui also appeared in Xiangshan City.
Could it be her?
Will Nangong Sui come to save Li Jinshuang?
"Go quickly and tell Sheng Fei what happened here." After giving the order, Xia Feichen led his men back underground via the dragon ladder.
He stood on the dragon staircase, the sound of his heartbeat seemingly right next to his ears, his expression tense.
Xia Feichen's palms became sweaty with nervous anticipation at the thought of possibly facing Nangong Sui in the dungeon.
Xia Feichen was prepared to draw his sword and confront Yu Sui in the dungeon.
But the commotion above gave Wen Yang and his brother a clue, so they immediately went to find Ah Ling.
Since being frightened by the Azure Blood Golden Butterfly, Wen Yangxiu has spent the next few years honing his knowledge of the Nine Schools of Farming Techniques, which enabled him to keenly perceive that Ah Ling was using the Breath Swallowing Technique.
Just as the two reached Ah Ling's side, Si Wei fainted due to exhaustion, attracting the attention of the others.
"Shh." Wen Yangxiu gestured for Ah Ling to be quiet. "If you don't want to be discovered that you're using the Breath Swallowing Technique, then play dead with us and sneak out later."
Wen Yangxiu handed A Ling a pill.
Ah Ling's breathing technique went out of control, and she had no choice but to retract the venomous insects. She was leaning against the corner of the wall, breathing rapidly.
Wen Yangxiu hadn't noticed the worms yet. After feeding the pill to A Ling, he heard someone shout, "What is this thing?"
"insect?"
"Get out of the way!"
Wen Yang looked back and saw that the venomous insects, having lost their host, were flying around wildly, like fireflies dancing wildly in a summer night.
Fireflies are harmless, but the serpents that shimmer in the light pose a deadly danger.
Inside the dungeon, the guards stood ready, chasing and slashing at the worms that flew out of the body.
"Is this a viper?" Wen Yangzhou asked Wen Yangxiu behind him in a low voice.
Wen Yangxiu poked his head out and bumped right into a flying serpent. He knew something was wrong, but a force behind him pulled him aside. Ah Ling said to the serpent, "Don't hurt them."
She struggled to control her qi and stabilize the out-of-control insects, her face pale and her head covered in sweat.
The viper, which appeared to be about to attack, eventually evaded and sought another target.
Wen Yangxiu wanted to ask more questions, but then he heard the sound of the dragon ladder being reached. So he pretended to faint from exhaustion with his brother and A-Ling.
"Chief Xia! Several people here have suddenly fainted, and some strange insects have come out!"
"These are venomous insects that feed on the five elements; we must not let them get close." Xia Feichen strode forward. "The higher-ups have already called for a physician. Set up an array immediately and prevent the venomous insects from escaping!"
"Strengthen security and put the brothers who have fainted together."
"Let's see if any unfamiliar faces have slipped in."
Xia Feichen pointed to a group of people: "You come down with me, the rest of you guard the entrance to the Dragon Ladder."
All the guards were on high alert, yet they remained well-trained and organized despite the busyness.
Xia Feichen led his men past A-Ling and suddenly stopped. A-Ling thought to herself that something was wrong; she could feel Xia Feichen lean down and reach out to check her breath.
“She has asthma and is now exhausted. The doctor has arrived and arranged for her to be treated first,” Xia Feichen said.
Ah Ling's heart finally settled down.
The pills given by Wen Yangxiu could be used to fake a state of exhaustion, which Xia Feichen did not detect. He had only seen A Ling at the Dragon Ladder before, and she was in bad condition. Someone came and took her away, saying that she had asthma.
As Xia Feichen strode forward, he recalled this memory and glanced at his trusted confidant Wen Xin behind him.
Wenxin understood and stepped aside to the back.
Ah Ling was a complete stranger, which made Xia Feichen wary.
The Criminal Investigation Department was in a state of chaos in a short period of time. The dungeon was infested with worms, prompting the summons of a doctor, and a large number of personnel were dispatched from above due to an emergency.
Princess Qin Yidong of the Dan Kingdom was murdered in the capital.
Upon receiving this news, Xun Zhiya left the dungeon and went to the sixth floor to hear a detailed report.
She went to Baixiang Pavilion, pushed open the door and saw Jin Lin, who was supposed to be back to report, kneeling on the ground with his back to her and his head bowed.
"Golden Scales?" Xun Zhiya called softly, already on guard.
She stepped forward and reached out to put her hand on Jinlin's shoulder, but Jinlin fell to the ground sideways.
The world before Xun Zhiya's eyes suddenly plunged into darkness.
Yin Yang School's Heavenly Secret Technique: Shadow Swallowing.
A golden protective aura suddenly appeared, and Xun Zhiya raised her hand to intercept the attack coming from behind. In the exchange, the opponent's physical skills were clearly superior to hers.
In the overwhelming darkness, the vertical golden pupils of the Frost Serpent shone, targeting Xun Zhiya with Stone Condensation, instantly breaking through her protective aura and freezing her in place.
Xun Zhiya was unable to move because the moment the Frost Python lit up, she saw a figure reach out and approach the Commander's Jade Token at her waist.
The sound of ice and stone cracking rang in the ears of the mysterious man attacking Xun Zhiya. He looked up and saw lightning flashing around Xun Zhiya, breaking through the shackles of the Shadow Devourer.
Countless bolts of thunder transformed into incantations that spread outwards, covering the entire room.
Heavenly Secrets Solidify the Boundary.
Four golden magic tablets stood before Xun Zhiya. She waved her hand and sent one of them flying towards the mysterious man: "Who goes there?"
A flying chain, born from heaven and earth, bound the mysterious man's hands and feet.
Xun Zhiya spoke, his voice carrying the majesty of heaven and earth, his words carrying the weight of law: "Kneel down."
The mysterious man let out a barely audible groan, his blood and bones trembling as he knelt on one knee, his body forced to press downwards.
Xun Zhiya walked over and lifted the black robe that concealed his identity. The mysterious man made a hand seal, and a sea of stars bloomed beneath his feet. A deep dragon roar emanated from the sea of stars, resisting the magical sound of Xun Zhiya's Heavenly Punishment.
A loud bang came from inside the Hundred Images Pavilion.
Downstairs in the Hundred Images Pavilion was where the files of the Criminal Investigation Department were stored. Yu Sui stood in front of the rows of files, and looked up at the building upon hearing the sound.
The turbulence from above caused some dust to fall and float in the air where the candlelight flickered.
Yu Sui looked away, glancing behind her out of the corner of her eye, when a figure in a blue robe suddenly appeared in her view.
Jiang Fengyu's shadow was elongated in the candlelight, half of his face hidden in darkness.
He knew Yu Sui had seen him, but he showed no surprise whatsoever, as if he had known all along that Yu Sui would be there.
Yu Sui's gaze casually passed over him and landed back on the bookshelf in front of her.
"You are the one who left the spirit word inside Zhao Xiang's body." Jiang Fengyu stood at the other end of the bookshelf, his hands behind his back, his cold eyes fixed on Yu Sui. "You are also the one who let Zhao Xiang obtain the Divine Mechanism Without Earth."
Yu Sui flipped through the file in her hand and said with a smile, "Did you fail to bring Zhao Xiang here?"
"How did you know that Zhao Xiang would be chosen for this recruitment?" Jiang Fengyu's eyes flickered slightly.
Yu Sui turned to look at him, toying with a wooden divination stick in her hand: "Take a guess."
Jiang Fengyu's gaze lingered on the divine wooden talisman in her hand.
“Shanrong calculated it for you,” he said.
Yu Sui smiled without saying a word, a hint of contempt in her eyes.
Jiang Fengyu then realized he had guessed wrong.
The sounds of the five elements clashing again came from upstairs, but neither of them paid any attention to them.
Yu Sui put the dossier back on the bookshelf and heard Jiang Fengyu say, "You also hid the Fengyang Gu poison in the Word Spirit. I came here to get the antidote from you."
“You haven’t been afflicted by the Fengyang Gu either.” Yu Sui didn’t turn around, still examining the list of files in front of her.
Jiang Fengyu: "Tingzhu has been poisoned by your Gu poison."
"She was really careless," Yu Sui said regretfully.
“Responding to the He family in this way is not a good strategy,” Jiang Fengyu added.
"Report back?" Yu Sui repeated for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. "Just a coincidence."
"You don't want to see Zhao Yuxiang again?" Jiang Fengyu's calm tone carried a clear threat.
"Don't you want to get the antidote?" Yu Sui took out a green porcelain bottle and placed it in her palm.
Jiang Fengyu walked towards her, and Yu Sui seemed to hear the sound of bamboo leaves trembling. As the sound stopped, the candlelight in the room went out.
In the dimly lit room, the whistling wind could be heard as a few slender green leaves flew past, carrying a cool, refreshing scent as they rushed towards Yu Sui.
A red umbrella unfurled in front of Yu Sui, sending green leaves flying.
The number of the scattering green leaves surged, multiplying into countless millions, transforming into sharp green blades. Each blade flew swiftly, each one as gentle as a spring breeze pruning leaves, yet capable of easily killing sorcerers below the tenth realm.
The green blade sliced through the wall, pierced through the thick stack of files, and shattered a corner of the bookshelf and desk.
Jiang Fengyu clearly didn't care about the thousands upon thousands of criminal records here.
He raised his hand in a gesture of drawing his sword, the green blade converging towards Yu Sui. Jiang Fengyu's target was only the antidote for the Fengyang Gu poison in Yu Sui's hand.
These green-leaf sword blades carried an aura that shook the heavens and the earth, yet they couldn't make Yu Sui move an inch.
She stood under the red umbrella, sensing the perilous world outside: "More than these things, I'd like to test my skills against your divine abilities."
"What's so remarkable about the He family's Divine Calculation Technique?"
"Do you think your Heavenly Eye is powerful?" Jiang Fengyu asked.
Yu Sui raised an eyebrow slightly: "Perhaps its power is beyond your imagination."
Jiang Fengyu added, "Initially, we wanted to convert you into one of the three races, which is why we allowed Zhao Yuxiang to contact you."
Zhao Yuxiang survived because the He family was willing to save him. Since he was alive, he lived under the surveillance of the three clans.
Old Master Yan may have placed too much faith in the three clans and in himself, believing that he could prevent the He clan from posing a danger to Yu Sui.
Jiang Fengyu admitted: "Your Heavenly Eye far exceeds our expectations. In the existing records and observations, something has never happened before. The Heavenly Eye has evolved a completely new ability within your body."
"But our conclusion is that, apart from you, no one else in the existing Tianmu can control this new power."
So if you can't have it, you can only destroy it.
Even knowing that Yu Sui possessed one of the top three Divine Mechanism Techniques, which he himself could not inherit, he would still choose to kill her and make Tianmu disappear.
"The power gap between Divine Mechanism and Nine Streams Techniques may be greater than I thought." Yu Sui seemed thoughtful after listening to Jiang Fengyu's words.
“Your Divine Mechanism is completely different from the Divine Mechanism inherited by the He clan.”
Jiang Fengyu's expression was indifferent, as if he were a hermit looking down on mortal ants.
The green leaves unleashed their sword blades, transforming into serene water swords, the sharpest water blades in the world, attempting to sever the space around Yu Sui.
The open red umbrella was like a mirror, and at this moment, Jiang Fengyu drew countless shocking cracks on this mirror.
A significant tremor came from the case file room, and Sheng Fei, sitting in the interrogation room downstairs, looked up.
Jiang Chi, who was standing behind him, also looked over.
"With such a commotion up there, aren't you going to go check it out?" The young man's voice was laced with ill intent.
Sheng Fei withdrew his gaze and looked expressionlessly at Wei Ren, whose hands were tied behind the desk.
Wei Ren, looking like a prisoner, met Sheng Fei's cold gaze with a forced smile.
"It's really strange that the young master of Qingyang is interrogating people from Yan in the Criminal Division of Nanjing."
Wei Ren's hands were bound by the Dragon-Binding Rope, sealing his five elements, yet he remained completely calm. He leaned back in his chair, casually gazing at the imposing Sheng Fei opposite him.
Sheng Fei withdrew his gaze from above and continued to ask, "Where is Nangong Sui?"
"How would I know?" Wei Ren found the question utterly absurd.
"You infiltrated the Communications Institute not to collude with Nangong Sui from the inside?" Sheng Fei asked again.
"I didn't even get inside the Communication Institute's gates before you arrested me outside. I want to ask you what you're doing?" Wei Ren raised his eyebrows, exuding an arrogant and defiant air.
His face was bruised and his clothes were stained with blood, clearly indicating that he had struggled, but with his sixth-realm strength, he was powerless to resist.
Sheng Fei looked at Wei Ren as if he were an ant, wondering why he was still only at the sixth realm after all these years and was acting so arrogantly.
“I never realized before that you were a dog in Nangong Sui’s hands. Now that your master has come to Nanjing, you dog have come here because of the smell.”
Sheng Fei got up, walked around to his side, and pressed his hand on Wei Ren's thin shoulder.
Wei Ren was caught off guard and was forced to the table, his facial features distorted by the pressure of the five elements.
He took a hard breath, cold sweat instantly soaking his entire body, but he still stubbornly laughed and said, "You were blind before, and you still are now. You're a blind man who knows nothing."
Sheng Fei, his face cold, exerted force with his hand, causing the table to crack. Wei Ren was already bleeding from a head wound.
"Hey, it's none of Qingyang's business to deal with the people of Yan!"
A young man's shout came from outside the door. A black and gold long stick swept across Jiang Chi as it burst through the door, overturning the long table.
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