Feeling refreshed, Xu Qi An walked upstairs with a spring in his step, leaving his two colleagues to their quiet moment of reflection.
“I should have been under the carriage, not inside it, seeing how sweet you two were… Kukukuku, hahaha!” He laughed uproariously as he climbed the stairs.
“Liu Ningyan, you bastard!” Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao’s furious roars echoed from behind him.
Over the next few days, Xu Qi An experienced the aftermath of their capsized friendship. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao gave him the cold shoulder, ignoring him completely as if he were invisible.
When Xu Qi An tried to strike up a conversation, they acted as if they hadn’t heard him, going about their business.
Is it because they’ve lost face and can’t bring themselves to talk to me, or are they just taking out their anger on me? It must be the former… That’s what Xu Qi An thought.
So during lunch, Xu Qi An took the initiative to break the ice: “I’ve already forgotten about what happened at the teahouse. I won’t tease you guys about it anymore.”
“What?” Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were livid.
Miss Su Su played with our feelings, and you’re playing with our friendship. Who’s the real victim here?
“It’s your fault for not being able to control yourselves and falling for that demon’s illusion. How is that my fault?” Xu Qi An looked at them indignantly:
“Why should I have kept it from you? Do you have the nerve to ask that? If I had exposed it right then and there, wouldn’t you two have jumped off a building in shame? Look, if it weren’t for Li Miaozhenthen coming over, wouldn’t this whole thing have been perfectly concealed?
“Neither of you would have been embarrassed. Guangxiao, you wouldn’t have known that Tingfeng spent a quarter of an hour ramming his little brother against a pillar, and Tingfeng, you wouldn’t have known how strong Guangxiao’s waist was when he was leaning on the table.”
“Stop, please stop…” Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao covered their faces.
In truth, if Xu Qi An had exposed them on the spot, Old Song and Old Zhu would have been embarrassed for a while at most. They certainly wouldn’t be like this now, feeling so ashamed that they wanted to roll on the ground, feeling like they couldn’t show their faces in public.
Whenever they recalled the words they had said and the emotions they had expressed in front of Liu Ningyan – things like “I’ll marry no one but her” and “It’s the regret of my life” – Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao felt like committing seppuku to leave this dark world behind.
Song Tingfeng turned his head away and said with a cold laugh: “I don’t have a friend like you. From that day on, we’ve severed all ties.”
Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice: “Me too.”
“Don’t be like that. Can our friendship be shaken by a mere female ghost?” Seeing that the two remained unmoved, their faces cold, Xu Qi An said with a pained expression:
“Fine, I’ll treat you to the Jiaofang Si when we get back to the capital.”
Song Tingfeng looked disdainful: “You think you can buy me and Guangxiao off with a mere visit to the Jiaofang Si?”
Xu Qi An said solemnly: “Two visits.”
Song Tingfeng snorted: “Get lost, don’t talk to me.”
Xu Qi An said painfully: “Three times.”
Song Tingfeng: “Hmph.”
Xu Qi An gritted his teeth: “Five times!”
Song Tingfeng grabbed his sleeve tightly: “Then you better write an IOU.”
Three days after their friendship had capsized, it finally got back on track. After all, how could brothers fall out over a small dispute? Treating them to the Jiaofang Si was just a way to save face for both parties. The main reason was that their friendship was genuine enough… That’s what Song Tingfeng said.
Xu Qi An agreed wholeheartedly and said, “Then let’s forget about the Jiaofang Si.”
Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao said in unison: “Cut all ties!”
As they spoke, they waved the IOU in their hands.
“And also…” Zhu Guangxiao glanced at him, “You can’t leak anything about Su Su… that female ghost. You can’t tell anyone.”
“And you can’t tease us about it in the future,” Song Tingfeng added.
“No problem, I absolutely, absolutely won’t kuku…” Xu Qi An quickly turned his head away, covering his face. A few seconds later, he turned back: “I absolutely won’t tease you guys.”
“What were you laughing at just now?”
“I wasn’t laughing.”
“You were laughing.”
“I wasn’t laughing. I’ve been trained rigorously. No matter how funny something is, I won’t laugh.”
…
Outside White Emperor City, in the military camp.
Li Miaozhenthen sat in the military tent, listening to Su Su’s report: “Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao spend most of their time in the courier station. Occasionally, when they get tired of the food there, they go out to find a restaurant.
“They always go out together, Xu Qi An doesn’t join them. He acts independently, going to the brothels every time he goes out.
“He spends almost an hour at the brothel every day, then returns to the courier station. During this time, he hasn’t been to any government offices, nor has he investigated Zhou Min’s case.
“Hmm, there are signs that Zhou Min’s grave has been disturbed. Based on the timing, it should have happened on the day the Inspector’s team arrived in White Emperor City…”
For the past few days, Su Su had been acting as a secret sentinel, keeping an eye on the activities at the courier station. Whenever Xu Qi An and his two companions came out, she would quietly follow them.
Martial artists couldn’t sense Yin energy, let alone see ghosts. As long as she maintained a good distance, Su Su wouldn’t be discovered.
“Is there anything else unusual?” Li Miaozhenthen asked.
Unusual? Does that Xu Qi An picking up silver every day count as unusual… Su Su mused to herself, but she knew Li Miaozhenthen was asking about events related to Zhou Min, so she shook her head:
“No, they seem to be waiting for the Inspector to return before investigating Zhou Min’s case.”
The news of Wei Yuan impeaching Yang Chuannan, the Commander-in-Chief of Yun Prefecture, had already been conveyed by letter by the Qi faction. Everyone in the Yun Prefecture officialdom knew why the Inspector’s team had come.
Li Miaozhenthen uncorked a porcelain bottle and summoned a ghost residing inside. It was a tall, thin middle-aged scholar.
“I’ll dictate, you write,” she said.
“Yes, master,” the ghost replied.
Based on the information Li Miaozhenthen had obtained through the Tiandi Society’s internal channels, she believed she had a fairly intuitive understanding of this Xu Qi An. He was very good at solving cases and had rich experience.
If he had any clues or an accurate direction, he definitely wouldn’t have dawdled at the courier station for so many days. After all, the longer the case dragged on, the fewer clues there would be.
This meant that Xu Qi An was also at a loss.
Soon, a letter was written. Li Miaozhenthen handed the letter to Su Su: “Deliver this letter to Yang Chuannan.”
“Okay!” Su Su hugged the letter and swayed her slender waist as she left the military tent.
She paused in front of the thick curtain, turned her head, frowning with a pitiful expression: (·w·)
“If you have something to say, just say it,” Li Miaozhenthen said impatiently.
“Master, aren’t you going to avenge me? That stinky brat humiliated me,” Su Su complained resentfully.
“He only confined you for a day,” Li Miaozhenthen waved her hand, rejecting her female ghost subordinate’s request.
Women are all petty, and the more beautiful they are, the pettier they become. On this point, Li Miaozhenthen had never been able to understand.
She preferred drinking big bowls of wine, eating big mouthfuls of meat, and living a life of military campaigns, swift vengeance, and quick gratitude. In other words… a straight man’s mentality.
“Hmph.” Su Su left in a huff.
…
In Qingping County, near White Emperor City, at the county’s largest restaurant.
The restaurant was booked for a private event today. As the last stop of this inspection tour, the lunch was prepared very lavishly.
After lunch, led by Inspector Zhang, Yang Chuannan, and Song Changfu, more than a dozen high-ranking officials of Yun Prefecture gathered in the restaurant’s private room to exchange thoughts on the inspection.
Inspector Zhang took the opportunity to unleash his fury, berating the officials for being incompetent and allowing bandit problems to breed and develop, leading to an increase in refugees in Yun Prefecture and a decline in people’s livelihoods.
“Inspector Zhang’s words truly make this official ashamed,” Administrative Commissioner Song said with embarrassment.
“According to secret reports, the bandit problem in Yun Prefecture is due to someone secretly supporting them and supplying military resources,” Inspector Zhang said pointedly:
“Some people eat the emperor’s grain but commit acts of treason.”
The officials glanced discreetly at the silent Commander-in-Chief Yang Chuannan. No one spoke up for him. Instead, they all expressed their support for Inspector Zhang’s thorough investigation.
Yang Chuannan remained silent and motionless, allowing the group to make insinuating remarks.
The atmosphere of isolating and suppressing Yang Chuannan in the entire Yun Prefecture officialdom had taken shape during the inspection period.
At this moment, a military officer knocked and entered. He was Yang Chuannan’s confidant. He coldly swept his gaze over the officials, handed a secret letter to Yang Chuannan, and then turned and left.
Yang Chuannan opened the envelope and read it. A smile bloomed on his previously serious and silent face. He put away the letter and said with a grin:
“This official also supports the Inspector’s thorough investigation. We must not be lenient. With the talented individuals under the Inspector’s command, I’m sure the truth will come to light very soon.”
Inspector Zhang frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the letter in Yang Chuannan’s hand. The other officials did the same, all wondering what was written in the letter that suddenly gave Yang Chuannan such confidence.
On the way back to White Emperor City, Inspector Zhang lifted the curtain of his carriage and coughed forcefully.
Jiang Liuzhong, who was riding ahead, looked back and, understanding the signal, slowed his horse to ride alongside the carriage.
“I suddenly have a bad feeling…” Inspector Zhang said, looking at this Golden Gong who had contributed almost nothing to the investigation.
“Is it because Yang Chuannan suddenly became arrogant?” Jiang Liuzhong nodded in realization.
Inspector Zhang grunted in agreement. This inspection was his way of laying the groundwork and testing the waters, to isolate the Yun Prefecture officialdom in preparation for apprehending Yang Chuannan.
If the Yun Prefecture officialdom was of one mind, he would have to carefully formulate a plan. If they were not united, he would find a way to isolate Yang Chuannan and gain the support of the Yun Prefecture officialdom.
Inspector Zhang was very confident about this because during the banquet upon their arrival in Yun Prefecture, Administrative Commissioner Song had already subtly conveyed certain information.
Everything had been progressing very smoothly. Under the coordination of Inspector Zhang and Administrative Commissioner Song, they had sent out a signal to the officials that “we’re planning to deal with Yang Chuannan,” forcing them to take sides.
But after receiving that letter, Yang Chuannan suddenly seemed to have gained confidence. He was no longer silent and even joked with him, smiling.
Not knowing what leverage the other party had gained… Inspector Zhang rubbed his brow.
“No matter what, Inspector Zhang only needs to resolve the official matters. I’ll handle the military aspect, and Xu Qi An will handle the investigation,” Jiang Liuzhong said reassuringly, holding the reins.
Inspector Zhang nodded thoughtfully: “We can only pin our hopes on Ningyan now. I hope he can crack the puzzle soon and find the evidence left by Zhou Min.”
“What kind of cryptic message is this? Zhou Min is simply toying with us,” Jiang Liuzhong cursed.
Hearing this, Inspector Zhang’s mood became even heavier.
The large group managed to return to White Emperor City before sunset. In the golden glow of the setting sun, Inspector Zhang led his team towards the courier station.
It was just after curfew, and the streets should have been empty. Normally, no one would be allowed to travel, but this wasn’t the capital. The Inspector was the highest-ranking official in Yun Prefecture, and the curfew couldn’t restrict him.
The staff at the courier station had received advance notice of the Inspector’s return today and were busily preparing dinner.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the courier station. Inspector Zhang stepped down using the wooden stool laid out by his attendants. Several Bronze Gongs who had stayed behind at the station were respectfully waiting in the courtyard, including Xu Qi An and his two companions.
Inspector Zhang, who was still worried about Yang Chuannan’s reaction, was suddenly startled when he saw Xu Qi An: “What’s wrong with you?”
Xu Qi An’s eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles that were not just black, but bluish-black, and slightly swollen. He gave the impression that he might ascend to the heavens at any moment.
Jiang Liuzhong hurried over and scrutinized Xu Qi An closely: “How many days has it been?”
Xu Qi An replied glumly: “Fifteen days.”
“…” Old Jiang drew a sharp breath: “How’s your current state?”
“It’s fine, I might depart from this world at any moment,” Xu Qi An joked.
Then he hasn’t reached his limit yet. How great is this kid’s spiritual potential? When he advances to the Spirit Refining Realm, how much will his spirit progress?
Martial artists in the Spirit Refining Realm have extremely keen spiritual senses. They can perceive any movement in their surroundings, especially those with hostile intent.
Therefore, martial artists in the Spirit Refining Realm are almost impossible to ambush. At the same time, the convergence of essence, qi, and spirit complement each other, raising their combat power to a new level.
After the two finished catching up, Inspector Zhang couldn’t help but ask: “Ningyan, have you made any progress with Zhou Min’s coded message?”
“I’ve already obtained the account book,” Xu Qi An replied calmly.
Inspector Zhang heard this and remained calm, nodding and saying: “Don’t be discouraged, we’ll eventually crack the code…”
Suddenly, he paused, silently looking at Xu Qi An.