As Xu Qi’an was about to say, “Imperial Preceptor, let’s head back first. I’ll notify you when there are new developments. Please…” he saw the Imperial Preceptor transform into a golden light and vanish. His expression froze, unable to finish his request for a ride back.
“At least give us a lift back,” he grumbled internally. “I didn’t bring my little mare!”
He then glanced at Heng Yuan beside him… Well, it’s fortunate he didn’t bring the mare after all.
The two of them climbed over the high walls of the Earl’s mansion. Seeing no one around, they quickly left and merged into the crowd on the main street.
When they reached the street corner, under the arch of Yong’an Street, the sundial showed the time as the fourth quarter of the Chen hour (8 AM).
Every main street in the capital had a huge archway at its entrance, with a sundial beside it specifically for the public to check the time.
“It’ll take about half an hour to get home. I hope Huai Qing isn’t getting impatient,” Xu Qi’an mused.
In the capital, roof-hopping and wall-running were not allowed, day or night.
Xu Qi’an didn’t want to draw too much attention either. Given his current fame, it was better to keep a low profile, lest he cause chaos with the fervent adoration of passersby.
Fortunately, not wearing his silver constable uniform, he wouldn’t catch the eye of the common folk. Most of the time, people only remember obvious characteristics. For instance, Xu Qi’an couldn’t recognize the cultural treasures from his previous life’s hard drive once they were clothed.
Moreover, with a population of over two million in the capital, not everyone was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the illustrious Constable Xu. Many had never even seen him in person.
As they walked, Xu Qi’an suddenly froze, then turned to Heng Yuan with a composed face, “Master, you’ve been trapped underground for over a month. Perhaps you should return to Yang Sheng Tang to check on the elderly and children.”
Heng Yuan nodded, “How have they been lately?”
Xu Qi’an replied candidly, “Though I haven’t visited personally, I’ve been sending people with money and household necessities.”
Heng Yuan put his palms together and bowed deeply, “Lord Xu is the most benevolent person this poor monk has ever met. I am delighted to have made your acquaintance.”
Xu Qi’an returned the gesture, equally pleased. Being admired by a master who possessed the Arhat fruit position would undoubtedly bring great benefits in the future.
The brilliantly talented Chu Yuanzhen, the chivalrous Holy Maiden of the Celestial Sect, the extraordinarily gifted and immensely strong Li Na, Heng Yuan with his Arhat fruit position, and the incomparably intelligent First Princess Huai Qing.
In no more than ten years, the members of the Tian Di Hui might become the pinnacle force in the Nine Provinces.
Hmm, Number Seven and Number Eight haven’t appeared yet. Hopefully, they won’t disappoint.
As the crowd bustled around them, Xu Qi’an watched Heng Yuan leave with relief. If Heng Yuan had followed him back to the Xu mansion, Huai Qing’s identity as Number One would have been exposed.
And knowing Huai Qing’s personality, they would all die together.
…
At the Xu mansion.
Huai Qing sat in the hall, growing impatient. Aunt Xu, as the lady of the house, was intimidated by the powerful aura and status of the First Princess. After keeping her company for a while, she excused herself, citing poor health, and returned to her room.
Xu Lingyue was blocked by Li Miaozhen from entering. Although the eldest daughter of the Xu family was more responsible than her mother, the matters to be discussed involved secrets that she shouldn’t overhear.
Li Miaozhen was skeptical about Huai Qing’s claim of a breakthrough in the case. She considered herself second only to Xu Qi’an in deductive reasoning and was the second-best investigator in the Tian Di Hui.
Finally, they saw Xu Qi’an enter the courtyard, walk across the bluestone-paved path, and step into the hall.
The host, Xu Qi’an glanced at the two chairs occupied by Huai Qing and Li Miaozhen and had to sit in the guest position below them. He looked at the First Princess and asked:
“What have you discovered?”
Huai Qing took a few seconds to choose her words, her voice clear: “How did you confirm that the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect is using the One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities technique?”
Is that something that needs confirmation? Xu Qi’an was stunned, not knowing how to respond.
Huai Qing then turned to Li Miaozhen and inquired, “In Daoist magic, is it possible for someone to split their primordial spirit without necessarily transforming into three people?”
Li Miaozhen didn’t need to think about such a question and replied:
“One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities is the pinnacle technique in the realm of primordial spirits. It allows a person to split into three individuals, each with an independent consciousness. They can exist as separate entities or merge back into one.
“As for simply splitting the primordial spirit, even those who have cultivated a Yin spirit can do that. However, the split primordial spirits are incomplete and fragmented, incomparable to One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities.”
Huai Qing was satisfied with this answer and turned back to Xu Qi’an, her autumn-water eyes piercing:
“You mentioned that Daoist Jin Lian is a remnant soul, which fits the description of a split primordial spirit. Perhaps the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect only separated his good and evil intents. The so-called One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities might just be your speculation, without any evidence.”
Xu Qi’an frowned slightly but maintained a steady tone as he analyzed:
“Perhaps the three entities split from the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect have already been severed. Well, this must be the case, otherwise, Black Lotus would have found Daoist Jin Lian long ago.”
Li Miaozhen interjected: “One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities can also result in three independent individuals without any connection. Severance isn’t necessary.”
Xu Qi’an was suddenly at a loss for words. He recalled the annotation about One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities in the previous emperor’s daily records.
One person, three entities – that’s exactly what it meant.
They could be three completely independent individuals.
Huai Qing continued: “There’s another point. You mentioned that in the Chu State massacre case, Duke Huai obtained the Blood Pill, while Father obtained the Soul Pill. But the effects of the Soul Pill are hardly sufficient to justify Father risking the world’s condemnation.”
“Yes, it was precisely because of this that I started investigating Yuan Jing,” Xu Qi’an nodded.
“I asked Cai Wei about the effects of the Soul Pill. I found that repairing a fragmented soul is its strongest function, far surpassing its other effects. However, if the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect truly used One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities, his primordial spirit couldn’t possibly be fragmented.
“Let me be more explicit: Could a high-ranking Daoist of the second grade not handle the One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities technique?”
Xu Qi’an was stunned. He quickly reviewed his reasoning, combining it with Huai Qing’s words:
I’ve fallen into a thinking trap. After suspecting that another avatar of the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect might be hidden in the dragon vein, I naturally connected the Soul Pill clue, assuming the Sect Leader created the Soul Pill to complete his incomplete soul… But I overlooked the status of a second-grade Daoist. How could the Sect Leader’s soul be fragmented when using One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities… Yet Daoist Jin Lian is indeed a remnant soul…
These chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind like a lantern slide. Xu Qi’an swallowed and exhaled:
“This is indeed an inconsistency, but like my suspicion about the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect, your doubt is also just speculation without concrete evidence.”
Huai Qing nodded, her eyes flickering as she glanced at this legendary silver-badge constable, and said:
“There’s another questionable point, or at least I think it’s questionable… The kidnappings started in the 26th year of Zhen De, according to your investigation.”
Xu Qi’an pondered: “Even if the previous emperor was on the throne at that time, Yuan Jing, as the crown prince, would still have had the power to secretly create chambers in the palace.”
Huai Qing slowly shook her head, “What I want to say is that the Marquis of Ping Yuan was very young then, extremely young. He was in his prime, full of vigor. He secretly organized a human trafficking ring, doing shady business for the then-crown prince. There must have been a profitable deal involved.
“But after Father ascended the throne, the Marquis of Ping Yuan remained just that – neither his noble rank nor his official position advanced. This wasn’t because the Marquis lacked ambition. His attempt to gain more power by conspiring with the Liang faction to harm the Princess of Ping Yang is the best evidence of that.
“Do you think this makes sense? If you were the Marquis of Ping Yuan, would you be content? You did the crown prince’s dirty work, yet after he became emperor, you remained stagnant for over twenty years.”
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Although Li Miaozhen only half-understood what she heard, unable to fully grasp the situation, she could sense that the case seemed to have taken a turn. Huai Qing’s words were very reasonable, and Xu Qi’an didn’t object.
Huai Qing broke the silence, asking, “What did you discover at the Dragon Vein underground?”
Xu Qi’an then recounted the process of rescuing Heng Yuan.
“So, there is indeed a formidable being hidden above the dragon vein, but it’s not the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect?” Li Miaozhen looked at Huai Qing, then at Xu Qi’an:
“Then who could it be?”
Huai Qing shook her head: “No, we can’t be certain yet that it’s not the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect. Even if the Soul Pill wasn’t given to him, even if there are doubts about the Marquis of Ping Yuan, we still can’t be sure that the being in the dragon vein isn’t the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect.”
Xu Qi’an thought for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose, and said: “To confirm, it’s simple. Heng Yuan has seen that person, and Miaozhen and I have seen Black Lotus. We can draw portraits and have Heng Yuan identify them.”
Li Miaozhen and Huai Qing’s eyes lit up.
Xu Qi’an and Li Miaozhen said simultaneously, “I don’t know how to paint portraits.”
Huai Qing stepped up without hesitation.
The three left the inner hall and entered a room. Xu Qi’an attentively poured water, and ground ink, laid out paper, and placed a white jade paperweight.
Huai Qing tucked one sleeve, and held the brush with her other hand, hovering it over the paper. She looked up at Li Miaozhen and Xu Qi’an, “What does he look like?”
He’s half-human, half-fish mermaid, not left and right, nor up and down, with a head and a… Xu Qi’an described, “His face is rather thin, with a high nose…”
Following his description and Li Miaozhen’s additions, Huai Qing drew four or five portraits, finally producing one that was seven or eight-tenths similar to the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect.
“That’s good enough.”
Xu Qi’an grabbed the paper, and shook it, using his qi to dry the ink. As he rolled up the portrait, he said in a low voice, “Draw another one. You should be familiar with this person.”
Huai Qing was silent for a moment, then laid out another sheet of paper and drew a second portrait.
Watching Xu Qi’an’s hurriedly departing figure, Li Miaozhen frowned and asked, “Who’s the second person you drew?”
Huai Qing didn’t answer, her face gloomy and grave.
…
East City, Yang Sheng Tang.
After visiting every elderly person and child, including the poor child wrapped in dog skin, Heng Yuan returned to his room and began packing his things.
Not much, just two monk robes and a few Buddhist sutras.
A monk travels light, with only two or three possessions.
He couldn’t stay here any longer. Emperor Yuan Jing would come again sooner or later. He couldn’t avoid it forever. Leaving this place and cutting ties with the elderly and children was the best way to protect them.
The old clerk stood at the doorway, trembling, his face full of sorrow.
“I won’t leave the capital for now. I plan to stay at the Xu mansion for a while. It’s a relatively safe shelter, and at the same time, I can strengthen their defenses. After the Chu State massacre case, his situation has become extremely precarious… During this time, I’ll come back regularly to check on things.”
Heng Yuan folded his robes, speaking gently, “Don’t worry about money. Lord Xu is a kind-hearted person and will cover the expenses of Yang Sheng Tang.”
That’s exactly what he had been doing.
The old clerk nodded repeatedly, saying sadly, “Master, you must promise… You don’t need to come back. We don’t want you to be in danger again.”
Heng Yuan finished packing, brushed past the old clerk, and walked out of the room.
In the courtyard, eight elderly people with white hair, either supported by children or leaning on canes, had gathered together.
Twelve children were also present, except for the child in the back courtyard who could no longer walk…
The children looked up with their relatively clean faces, their pure and bright eyes silently watching Heng Yuan.
“We’ve come to see the Master off.”
An elderly person spoke, “Go on, don’t come back. You’ve helped us too much. We can’t implicate you anymore.”
The children were tearful but silent.
Heng Yuan silently put his palms together and bowed.
As he raised his head, he saw Xu Qi’an entering through the main gate of Yang Sheng Tang, walking hurriedly.
“Lord Xu?”
Heng Yuan went to greet him, both delighted and surprised.
“Master Heng Yuan, you’ve seen that being underground, right?”
Seeing Heng Yuan nod, Xu Qi’an unfolded Black Lotus’s portrait, his gaze intense as he stared at the other, “Is it him?”
Heng Yuan concentrated on the image for a moment, then shook his head, “It’s not him!”
Not him… Right, Heng Yuan had seen Black Lotus before. He was also involved in the Lotus Seed conflict in Jian State. If it was Black Lotus, he should have pointed it out when they were underground. I overlooked this detail again… Well, it’s also possible that the appearance of that avatar is different from Daoist Black Lotus, after all, Jin Lian and Black Lotus look different…
Xu Qi’an shook his hand, burning Black Lotus’s portrait. He unfolded the second portrait drawn by Huai Qing and asked in a strange tone, “Is… is it him?”
Heng Yuan’s face immediately became solemn. He said gravely, “How do you have his portrait? It’s this person.”
This… Xu Qi’an’s pupils dilated, and he felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine, his hair standing on end.
The previous emperor!
Huai Qing had drawn the previous emperor!
The being in the dragon vein underground was the previous emperor!!
At this moment, Xu Qi’an’s true feelings were a mix of absurdity and reasonableness, shock and non-shock.
After Huai Qing pointed out two questionable points, he suspected the previous emperor, which is why he asked Huai Qing to draw the second portrait. Huai Qing indeed drew the previous emperor’s portrait, meaning she also suspected him.
“So it turns out that the one the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect corrupted back then wasn’t Duke Huai and Yuan Jing, but the previous emperor… Yes, the previous emperor mentioned One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities multiple times and spoke of immortality. He was the one obsessed with eternal life.”
Xu Qi’an slowly walked to the stone table and sat down. One detail after another surged through his mind.
“One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities, three in one, three separate, one as three. One person can be three entities, the previous emperor can be himself, Duke Huai, and can even be Yuan Jing.
“So the three of them – father and sons – are the same person. That’s why the suspicious Yuan Jing trusts Duke Huai completely, giving him the Empire-Stabilizing Sword and the most beautiful woman in Da Feng, showing trust that doesn’t align with the mindset of an emperor.
“I remember now, the Princess Consort once mentioned that when Yuan Jing first saw her, he showed extreme infatuation with her beauty (details in Chapter 164 of this volume)… No wonder he was willing to give the Princess Consort to Duke Huai. What if Duke Huai was also himself?
“This way, during the incident at the Southern Garden years ago, even if Duke Huai and Yuan Jing didn’t die, something went wrong. They were either controlled or corrupted by the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect. Afterward, they were assimilated and possessed by the previous emperor, becoming one person. This is the secret of one person as three entities. Is this the secret the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect told the previous emperor? Perhaps they started planning after that discussion of the Dao.
“The one lying beneath the dragon vein is the previous emperor’s true body… The Supervisor knows everything but doesn’t interfere because the one causing trouble isn’t the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect, but the emperor of Da Feng. No, the Supervisor might have his plans, but I can’t guess them.
“Marquis Ping Yuan has been kidnapping people all along but dares not claim credit. This is because he’s working for the previous emperor. He thinks he’s helping the previous emperor, not Yuan Jing.
“Why does the previous emperor need those civilians? The Chu State massacre case has already given me the answer – Blood Pills and Soul Pills!
“The previous emperor isn’t an orthodox Daoist, unable to perfectly control One Qi Transforms into Three Clarities. He left hidden dangers because of this, such as a fragmented primordial spirit, so he needs Soul Pills to repair it…”
Xu Qi’an felt his scalp tingling.