Shen Zaixin looked out the window, paused for a moment, and gently placed the fan in his hand on the windowsill.
He said, “Several months ago, a meteor fell within the borders of Yunzhou. Immediately upon its discovery, the Office of Exorcism, the Embroidered Guard, and the local government reacted quickly, heading to the impact site to investigate.”
Shen Zaixin turned back to look at Gong Xuance, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor.
Seeing the latter’s composed and unbothered expression, he gave a light chuckle and continued, “While the government set up various arrays to protect the meteor for research, on the very second day, this meteor containing immense power vanished.”
“The only thing left at the scene was an envelope from a member of the Hidden Sect. It openly stated that they had taken the meteor and dared the government to come and investigate,” Shen Zaixin said with a smile.
“Since the founding of our Great Yu Dynasty, in several hundred years, there has never been a sect so bold as to openly challenge the imperial court.”
“Given that their style of conduct is somewhat similar to yours, I had the Yinshan Listening Rain Pavilion escort you out. My primary purpose is to ask if you have any clues regarding this Hidden Sect.”
Gong Xuance smiled slightly upon hearing this. He said, “Indeed. I am a member of the Hidden Sect. You have asked the right person, but I cannot tell you any information about the sect.”
Shen Zaixin frowned.
“You must not deceive the Emperor.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty, but this is my restriction,” Gong Xuance said apologetically.
Hearing this, Shen Zaixin could not help but laugh.
“I didn’t expect a fellow like you to have so many restrictions placed on him in this lifetime.”
Gong Xuance put his hands behind his head and looked up at the sky, saying helplessly, “There is no other way. Sometimes, the more you know, the less free you are. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
Seeing this, Shen Zaixin did not push him any further.
He said, “In that case, you shall lead my team to investigate the Hidden Sect in secret. You will only act as their guide, and you do not need to personally tell me any information about the Hidden Sect. Is that a problem?”
Gong Xuance looked at Shen Zaixin with a look of confusion.
He said, “I told you I am a member of the Hidden Sect. Do you think I would betray my own master?”
Shen Zaixin’s expression remained calm as he said, “Do not look down on my Great Yu. We already have some grasp of the Hidden Sect’s information. The Embroidered Guard listens to the world, and the Office of Exorcism monitors the realm. Naturally, I have researched all the sects in the world.”
Shen Zaixin revealed a smile.
“Since I ascended the throne, these were the first things I sought to understand, and your Hidden Sect is no exception. Those in the Hidden Sect have never viewed themselves as a single entity. You have always fought your own battles. Therefore, having you investigate your colleagues is no problem at all, right?”
Gong Xuance narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Shen Zaixin.
He said, “Little Emperor, you seem to know a bit more than I imagined.”
Shen Zaixin chuckled.
“I only know more than you can imagine. So, will you take this case or not?”
Gong Xuance sighed and looked at Shen Zaixin seriously.
“Your Majesty, you have to pay people to work. Are you trying to get something for nothing?”
Shen Zaixin waved his hand grandly.
Immediately, a guard removed his mask and stepped forward; it was actually the eunuch who had read the imperial decree in front of the Mountain Moon County Office of Exorcism.
The eunuch quickly took out an imperial decree and opened it in front of Gong Xuance.
“By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: A profound star from the heavens fell in Yunzhou. It is a national treasure, yet a madman has stolen it, flouting the law! In the dungeons is Gong Xuance. Though he bears guilt, he is well-versed in the deceptive ways of the martial world. He is specially appointed as the ‘Investigator of the Star Affair,’ a position with duties but no formal rank, specifically to investigate and capture the culprit to atone for his crimes. If successful, previous crimes shall be cleared, and rewards will be granted. If failed, there shall be no mercy. Since you hail from the Hidden Sect, you shall serve like a horse or a dog to bring clarity to the state. Respect this.”
Gong Xuance yawned, his eyelids flickering.
He glanced at the exceptionally calm Shen Zaixin and said with a laugh, “Is all this formality necessary? Fine, fine. This criminal minister accepts the decree.”
Subsequently, Gong Xuance knelt on one knee, raised both hands, and took the imperial decree handed over by the old eunuch.
Shen Zaixin said, “Then, from now on, you will follow the actions of the Yunzhou Regional Commander and report this mission to him. If you can completely resolve this incident, Xiu Jiming’s position as a Fourth Grade Regional Commander will be finalized, and the word ‘acting’ will be removed. As for your crimes, Gong Xuance, I will clear them and set you free. Are there any objections?”
Gong Xuance smiled.
He cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Internally, Gong Xuance was laughing to himself.
‘Didn’t expect that, did you, Little Junior Brother? In the end, you still can’t get away from me.’
***
Xiu Jiming, who was taking Lin Ling around to sightsee, suddenly felt a wave of goosebumps.
He frowned and looked around but could not sense any problems at the scene.
After a moment of thought, he took three copper coins from his pocket and tossed them lightly.
His expression gradually became solemn.
The hexagram said he would be busy soon.
Noticing that Xiu Jiming’s face looked a bit troubled, Lin Ling tilted her head in confusion and quickly finished the grilled skewer in her hand.
Sensing Lin Ling’s gaze, Xiu Jiming set aside his worries and quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Is there something else you want to eat?”
Lin Ling thought for a moment and wrote with her left hand, ‘I heard there is a special pastry in Longchuan County? I haven’t seen it yet. When are we going to eat it?’
Seeing that her writing with her non-dominant hand was becoming more beautiful, Xiu Jiming felt a sense of pride, as if a daughter were growing up.
He thought for a moment, not quite sure what the little fox was referring to, but he said, “It’s getting late now. You’ve already eaten over ten taels of silver’s worth. How about we go to the Office of Exorcism first? After you finish your preliminary research, I’ll take you to see what good food is around.”
Lin Ling nodded slightly, licking the remains from the fingers of her right hand.
She wrote with a sweet smile, ‘Alright. I’ve eaten enough for now. We can talk about it later.’
The little fox was secretly pleased.
‘There’s no reason to refuse a free meal ticket.’
The two set off for the headquarters of the Yunzhou Office of Exorcism.
Just as they arrived at the entrance, many people knelt on one knee and bowed to Xiu Jiming.
“The Regional Commander has arrived. We have failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive us.”
Xiu Jiming glanced at these people, thinking to himself.
He did not seem to have any impression of them.
It seemed that the development of the Yunzhou Office of Exorcism during this period had exceeded his expectations.
He waved his hand and said nothing, leading Lin Ling into the office.
Since there were many matters in Yunzhou and the previous Regional Commander had been promoted and transferred to the capital, no new Regional Commander had arrived since then.
It could be said that even if Xiu Jiming did not hold the acting position of Regional Commander, his status as a Sky-Roaming Evil-Slayer was enough to unify and deploy all the personnel of the Office of Exorcism in Yunzhou.
Relying on his memory, he led Lin Ling to the archives and said with a smile, “I’ll have someone specialized in talismans come find you in a moment. You can look around here first.”
Lin Ling’s gaze had long been captured by the mountain of scrolls in front of her.
She did not look at Xiu Jiming and only nodded slowly.