Master of Strange Dao

The compasses released, how could Yu Ziqing not tamper with them?

Even if he couldn't artificially control the result of the compass's judgment, leaving a small measure to monitor whether someone disassembled the compass was incredibly easy.

He sent out less than ten compasses in total, and he always kept track of who held each compass and in which direction it went.

One compass self-destructed due to disassembly, and Yu Ziqing could easily guess who was responsible.

When the compasses were sold, it was made very clear that they were integrally formed. Damaging the internal power would lead to a loss of control.

Moreover, with their high value and scarcity, less than ten compasses would take more than a year to circulate among all those needing inspection.

As for Song Chengyue, the added value of the compass far exceeded its inherent value.

Having obtained the compass, if one didn't quickly maximize its effectiveness and seize the opportunity for maximum profit, who would be idle enough to disassemble it?

Besides those from Langya Institute, there were no others who would act so carelessly.

With this premise, causing chaos became much easier.

Elevate the internal issue involving the Dali Crown Prince to an external conflict between Dali and Daqian, turning it into a spar between two Divine Dynasties.

With Langya Institute taking the blame, the matter became much simpler.

The ability to succeed wasn't guaranteed, but the ability to sabotage was stronger than ever.

Instructing Lou Huai to contact Lin Fu, and considering their mutual dislike, the alternative plan was to have Lou Huai meet the Crown Prince directly.

Have Lou Huai directly mention his name. If that failed, sell out Lin Fu to the Dali Crown Prince, and it surely wouldn't cause any major issues.

Seeking cooperation directly from the higher-ups would certainly be unproblematic.

Yu Ziqing, judging others by himself, determined that those individuals would definitely target Gu Tianxin, the soft persimmon, so he preemptively set the pace for them to follow.

When unexpected events occurred, these individuals would be forced to act together.

Regardless of the development, chaos was certain, possibly stirring a strong expert to take the risk of acting in the Dali Capital City at a critical moment.

The Crown Prince was already informed in advance; at that moment, anyone daring to act wouldn't expect to escape unnoticed or unscathed.

However, the performer couldn't be someone from Dali, and neither could they be easily recognized, yet they had to possess strength.

After much consideration, Yu Ziqing thought of Xia Shuang from the Xi Family.

Inviting Xia Shuang to play a role was simple.

He explicitly told Xia Shuang.

Now there's an opportunity for you to stir up trouble in the Dali Imperial City, face off against experts, publicly coerce the Dali Crown Prince, and ultimately retreat unscathed.

Most importantly, Emperor Li and the Crown Prince wouldn't mind. On the contrary, they'd owe you a favor.

So, would you like to help with this performance?

What more could Xia Shuang say?

Yu Ziqing asked for her help, which she was quite willing to offer. Even more, this enticing opportunity was hard to refuse; excitement followed by a safe retreat, without earning the grudges of Emperor Li or the Crown Prince.

Xia Shuang naturally relished the idea.

Returning home, she could quietly record in the family chronicles that in a certain year and month, while only at the Eighth Tier, she ventured to Dali Capital City, publicly coerced the Dali Crown Prince, and brazenly left amidst the scrutiny of several Ninth Tier experts.

After Xia Shuang departed from Dali Capital City, the anticipated pursuit was merely a show, with not a single Ninth Tier expert making a move, which left her somewhat disappointed.

It was less fulfilling than sparring against the Blade Dao cultivator, which at least had some value.

Recently, unrelated people in the Capital City of Dali gossiped extensively.

Many even saw the Crown Prince's bare face for the first time.

From top to bottom, there was secret discussion about the matter, though inside the Dali Palace City, there was silence.

Emperor Li gazed at an old eunuch kneeling on the ground.

"How long have you been in the palace?"

"Your Majesty, thirteen hundred years."

"Over a thousand years..." Emperor Li appeared somewhat dazed, having no impression of this old eunuch.

The eunuchs of Dali had several departments, such as the Divine Palace Supervisor.

In theory, it managed the sweeping and incense lighting of temples, including the Grand Temple.

Yet, in reality, these duties fell under a department subordinate to the Ministry of Rites.

The ancestral Grand Temple visited during major Dali sacrifices was not in the Capital City of Dali.

To prevent descendants from forgetting their roots or merely nesting in the palace city, the Ancestral Emperor of Dali had arranged for the largest Grand Temple to be placed in the ancestral land, rather than the Capital City.

Therefore, the daily sweeping management became the responsibility of a specific department of the Ministry of Rites.

The Divine Palace Supervisor in the Capital City served more as a retirement place for old eunuchs, quiet and away from disputes.

Almost entirely composed of old eunuchs.

Today, one died, tomorrow another, almost all passing away quietly from old age.

Even the chief eunuchs of the palace paid no heed to the matters of the Divine Palace Supervisor.

If not for Emperor Li personally wielding the Dali Jade Seal to monitor the entire Capital City this time, he wouldn't have known that the Divine Palace Supervisor hid a master old eunuch who had lived for over a thousand years.

"Over a thousand years, yet I've never thought of it.

When traveling in my youth, I heard outsiders say the palace harbored hidden talents, and I couldn't help but laugh, thinking it was nonsense.

Now, those words have come true.

Had you not intervened, I wouldn't have noticed you. Perhaps another thousand years would pass without notice of the Divine Palace Supervisor."