NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9 Stirring the Water
In the inn, a cold wind swept through, and no one spoke, making the atmosphere suddenly much more tense.
Master Shi Wenbo's face showed some impatience, and his gaze became as sharp as a knife, sweeping over every individual until it finally rested on Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, as he said in a cold voice, "Gentlemen, as the Prefecture Chief and County Supervisor of Yongzhou, do you have any clues or insights?"
Hearing this, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou looked at each other simultaneously, and fine beads of sweat involuntarily formed on their foreheads.
They both knew their own limitations; with the current case, they had absolutely no direction to proceed.
Dou Wenxi swallowed hard, his eyes flickering uncertainly as he weighed his words and pondered his response, "Lord Shi, this matter is too sudden. We have only just learned of it and are utterly clueless at the moment. However, General Xue didn't attend the banquet yesterday, there could be other hidden details here, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" Master Shi Wenbo sharply interrupted, his tone already tinged with anger, "Lord Dou, this is not the time for you to be vague!"
Seeing this, Yan Xushou coughed softly, attempting to defuse the situation, "Lord Shi, please calm your anger, the incident indeed happened abruptly, and we haven't had the chance to investigate thoroughly. Though what Lord Dou said was not comprehensive, it's currently all we know. The fact that Third Young Master Xue did not attend the banquet yesterday wasn't due to illness. If we are to investigate, we must start here, looking into where Third Young Master Xue has been recently, whom he has met, and what business he was attending to. Only then can we begin to find some clues."
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I meant, we should start from here and investigate further," Dou Wenxi quickly nodded in agreement.
Master Shi Wenbo fell into thought, falling silent.
Truth be told, he also felt that there was something odd about the situation.
This trip to Yongzhou, the way General Xue Zhao inexplicably included his son in the team, indeed seemed to have ulterior motives.
"You both speak sensibly, we should start from here and obtain results as quickly as possible. Otherwise, should this matter reach the Capital City and come to the attention of Great General Xue, I need not tell you what will become of you, right?"
The fleshy faces of Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou trembled, and their hearts instantly soared.
"Lord Shi, speaking of which, Mr. Xue came to the Guardian Martial Department to seek me out yesterday," Shen Qing suddenly stood out and spoke up at this time.
Now that Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou were planning to investigate Xue Yan's movements from the previous day, his visit to the Guardian Martial Department Office would certainly not go unnoticed.
Rather than wait for their investigation to reveal it and be confronted with it passively, it was better to take the initiative to speak out now and keep control in his hands.
Hearing this, Master Shi Wenbo was shocked and quickly asked, "What did Third Young Master Xue seek you for?"
Shen Qing showed some difficulty in broaching the subject.
Master Shi Wenbo slammed the table, angrily demanding, "Just speak, why are you avoiding the topic?"
Shen Qing hardened his expression and decided to go for it, "Third Young Master Xue came to the Guardian Martial Department seeking me not just to inquire about the details of the demons rampant in Yongzhou on that day but also said..."
"Said what?"
Shen Qing lowered his head, "Third Young Master Xue also mentioned that several officials were only interested in indulging in pleasures, incapable of achieving much. He didn't want to be associated with such corruption, wishing to quickly understand the changes in Yongzhou and reach out to 'Heaven's Ear.'"
"The impudent boy!" Standing to the side, Cui Jin's eyes widened in rage, and his brows furrowed like drawn swords, evidently consumed with anger.
The aura around him suddenly erupted, unique to a martial master of the Spirit Void Realm. It was as overpowering as a mountain flood, a surging torrent that instantly filled the entire inn.
The air inside the inn seemed to solidify, and the tables and chairs trembled slightly, emitting a faint sound.
The people standing in the inn's main hall showed terrified expressions, retreating backward, fearing to be affected by the terrifying momentum.
Shen Qing became the target of Cui Jin's retaliation, with all the energy concentrated on him.
He felt an indescribable heavy pressure like a massive boulder bearing down on him, his bones and flesh seemingly losing their original toughness at that moment, creaking in protest.
It was the first time he sensed the strength of a martial master from the Spirit Void Realm; his expression turned grave, he clenched his teeth, and struggled to support himself with all his might, but his body still trembled uncontrollably.
Just at this critical moment, Ji He's figure swept by like a breeze and appeared next to Shen Qing instantaneously.
He waved his hands lightly, and his own energy burst forth in sync, dissolving Cui Jin's mountainous energy, lifting the heavy burden off Shen Qing.
"Eunuch Cui, Shen Chasi is just stating the facts; why get so angry?" Ji He spoke with a calm demeanor.
In reality, he understood why Cui Jin was so agitated.
Your Majesty had specifically arranged for him to come here with Shi Wenbo, wanting him to act as the Emperor's eyes, to fully understand the situation and uncover certain secrets.
Yet, Xue Yan desired to overreach his station and go straight to the heavens with his complaint.
This move made him seem useless, potentially worsening his impression before Your Majesty.
For the Imperial Eunuch, such an act was tantamount to cutting off his future prospects, how could he not be angry?
Cui Jin's face remained grim, but his imposing aura had receded quite a bit; he let out a cold snort, "If it weren't for Brother Ji's sake, today I would have made him understand the severity of his situation!"
Shen Qing, now awakened from the ordeal, looked towards Ji He with gratitude, his voice trembling slightly, "Thank you, Lord Ji, for your assistance."
Cui Jin chuckled and said, "The Za Family has other matters to attend, so I'll be leaving first. This issue can be handled by Lord Shi and the others."
With that, Cui Jin departed from the inn leisurely, evidently not wishing to be involved in the matter any further.
"Hmph, nothing but a dog eunuch pandering for the Sage's favor," Shi Wenbo snorted coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
He immediately ordered, "Send the command down, lock down the entire city this instant. Anyone even remotely related to last night's incident must be brought in for questioning!"
Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou busily placed their hands together in salute, acknowledging the order.
"Don't stand around idling, get moving quickly. Regardless of who the perpetrator is, bring me results as soon as possible!"
"This subordinate obeys the command."
Having said this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou strode out of the inn, with Shen Qing and others following closely behind them.
Watching the others leave, Shi Wenbo turned to Ji He and said, "Lord Ji, what do you make of what Chief Officer Shen said?"
"Sounds like something Third Young Master Xue might say," Ji He took a few steps towards the door, speaking to Shi Wenbo with his back turned, "As far as I know, right now Third Young Master Xue and his elder brother Xue Bai are vying for the Xue Family Heir position. If he doesn't show some initiative, indeed he won't make it."
"Then what do you think about this matter...?"
"Investigate it. We'll take it as far as it goes. In any case, this matter doesn't concern us; the ones who should be worried are those from the Yongzhou Government Office. If the Xue Family wants to vent their anger, they'll direct it at them," Ji He continued, "What's most important for us is to ensure we fulfill the task entrusted to us by Your Majesty." Find your next adventure on empire
Shi Wenbo pondered for a moment, then agreed, "Lord Ji speaks sensibly."