Chapter 93. The Beginning of the Bashun Festival (2)

"Huh, I'm so tired."

Xiaoyanxin pressed her hand to her forehead.

Lianyi said cautiously,

"You've been up for four nights straight. Why don't you get some rest?"

"No, it's been four days since the Bashun Festival, and there's a mountain of work. There's no time to rest."

"Then at least take a half-hour break. I and Director Zhu will finish organizing the supplies."

For a moment, the words "Maybe I should" almost slipped out.

Xiaoyanxin shook her head.

"You've worked just as hard as I have. Besides, Hua has only recently regained her martial arts skills. I should do as much as I can."

Lianyi sighed inwardly.

Xiaoyanxin was an excellent superior. She was efficient in handling tasks, cared for her subordinates, and took on difficult tasks herself. However, she was also a challenging superior.

When the boss works hard, the subordinates naturally become more cautious.

Xiaoyanxin knew this but said there was nothing she could do about it because of her perfectionist nature.

Lianyi admired Xiaoyanxin. His suggestion for her to rest came from genuine concern, not out of caution.

Of course, he expected this answer...

'I should make some good tea for her.'

Just as Lianyi was about to bow and leave,

"Director Xiaoyanxin!!"

The loud voice from beyond the window startled both Xiaoyanxin and Lianyi.

"That voice?"

"Director Xiaoyanxin! I'm here! Can you spare a moment?"

Xiaoyanxin's mouth gaped open in surprise.

Lianyi smiled and bowed.

"We'll handle the supply organization. You should welcome the distinguished guest."

"…I guess I have to."

A short while later, Xueliang and Xiaoyanxin were seated in the director's office.

"I apologize for coming without prior notice."

"Why do you say that? I should be the one to apologize."

"Huh? What do you have to apologize for?"

"I should have come to see you earlier about the previous convoy incident… I was too late, wasn't I?"

Xueliang tried to pass it off with a light joke.

He wanted to make a joke about how he should have bought drinks earlier, or how a younger person should have come first, to lighten the mood.

But seeing Xiaoyanxin's face, he couldn't do it.

'She looks like she's been through a lot.'

Her once clear and transparent skin was now dry and rough, and the area around her eyes was dark and sunken. Despite her efforts to dress up for the guest, it was obvious she was exhausted.

"Ahem, it's fine. I had completely forgotten about it, anyway."

"Still, that's not right. I'll formally apologize for it here."

She bowed, but the movement was slow, indicating she was extremely tired.

The fatigue from heavy work was something even a high-level expert couldn't avoid.

"And I'm grateful. If it weren't for you, the convoy mission would have failed."

"You've heard from Director Zhu, I see."

"Yes."

"Well, I was stubborn and ended up dragging Director Zhu into a dangerous situation. Let's just pretend it never happened."

"I appreciate you saying that."

Xueliang smacked his lips.

Xiaoyanxin forced a bright smile and asked,

"So, why are you here? Is there something you need to ask me?"

"Well, I'd love to drink with you, but I also have some business… I apologize for coming during your busy schedule."

There's definitely something he needs.

Xiaoyanxin smiled and asked,

"Not at all. So, what brings you here?"

"It's a bit of a messy matter. Normally, I wouldn't, but… I'll apologize in advance."

"What is it?"

"I'm here about the dead disciple."

Dead? Who died?

"Didn't a maid from Huanyuan die two years ago?"

Xiaoyanxin's face hardened instantly.

"…You're here about that case?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Her reaction was quite sharp.

Among the victims, six were from the outer sect, and one was from Huanyuan. She was a maid who only knew the inner cultivation method, not even the basic outer sect martial arts.

No superior would be happy to hear that one of their subordinates was killed. Even so, Xiaoyanxin's reaction seemed overly sharp.

After observing her expression, Xueliang asked bluntly,

"You knew, didn't you?"

"…"

"You knew there was another culprit, didn't you?"

"…How did you find out, Sir?"

Indeed, she knew.

"It doesn't matter how I found out. What matters is that I'm trying to catch the real culprit, running around until my feet are sore."

"Really?"

Xueliang smacked his lips.

"I'm trying to catch the real culprit this time."

Xiaoyanxin asked, looking bewildered,

"You? Personally?"

"That's right."

"But why you? This kind of matter should be handled by the Criminal Law Hall…"

"…"

"Or did the Criminal Law Hall ask for your help?"

"Your intuition is sharp."

"Did you also learn the identity of the real culprit?"

"I did."

Whoosh!

A powerful aura of martial energy surged from Xiaoyanxin's body.

The aura was burning with anger. Despite everything, Xiaoyanxin was a high-level expert overseeing Huanyuan, and the pressure from her aura was formidable.

"Who is the real culprit?"

"I can't tell you that."

Xiaoyanxin didn't ask for the reason. She would have told the Criminal Law Hall not to reveal the identity of the real culprit, even if she were the head.

The fewer people who know about this, the better.

"Fine. Since you're trying to catch the real culprit, we should provide you with information."

"Thank you for understanding."

"It's the least we can do. We should roll up our sleeves and help."

"I would appreciate it if you could provide detailed information about the victim, including physical characteristics and habits."

A short while later, a subordinate brought in some documents.

"There are five pages in total. All the information about the victim is written here."

"Thank you. It seems you're quite busy, so I'll take my leave."

"Sir."

"Yes?"

"…Please catch the culprit."

Xueliang gave a reassuring smile.

"I'll do my best."

After Xueliang left, Xiaoyanxin was lost in thought for a long time before she pulled a string in the air.

"Did you call me, Director?"

"Lianyi."

"Yes."

Xiaoyanxin's eyes turned cold.

"Get me a list of all the high-ranking officials participating in this year's Bashun Festival."

Normally, Xueliang would have mentioned the "Bashun Festival." His habit was to instinctively probe and understand the current state of his opponent.

However, today, Xueliang didn't mention the Bashun Festival. He might have been worried that she would notice something about the real culprit.

Moreover, the Criminal Law Hall had entrusted this task to one of their successors, not just anyone.

If they only needed investigative skills, they would have handled it internally, as it would have been more professional and reliable.

This means that the Criminal Law Hall members found it difficult to touch the real culprit. Therefore, the real culprit was likely a high-ranking official participating in this year's Bashun Festival.

"Make sure to include the list of the Seven Great Families of the Demon Path."

If the suspect was a high-ranking official with weak influence or a solitary figure, the Criminal Law Hall would have contacted the military department instead of a successor candidate, to avoid political issues.

Therefore, the real culprit is likely a member of the Seven Great Families of the Demon Path.

'If you don't tell me, I'll find out myself.'

This was a moment when Xiaoyanxin's exceptional mind shone. She deduced the group the real culprit belonged to from just a few words and the situation.

A power more terrifying than martial arts, it was intuition and intellect.

'I will definitely catch the culprit.'

Xiaoyanxin was known for taking good care of her subordinates. Although it was a two-year-old case, she still couldn't forget it.

Xiaoyanxin stood up.

The fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days vanished instantly. In its place was the anger of a top authority responsible for the finances of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

A day passed.

* * *

"My head is killing me."

This was Xueliang's complaint after throwing a law book as thick as a finger.

Thud!

Madongphi's eyes trembled.

On the bed, the spot where the law book landed was sunken. It was clear how much deadly content the book contained.

There was an even more terrifying fact.

"Did… you read it all?"

"Huh? Sort of?"

Madongphi couldn't think of Xueliang as a human.

Xueliang waved his hand, as if it was a bother.

"It's not like it's a martial arts technique. There's no need to scrutinize every word. I just skimmed through it. Most of it I don't even remember."

"Still, it's impressive."

"Is it? It just seemed like a bunch of word games. Reading it, it seems the Criminal Law Hall does whatever they want. They can arrest anyone on a whim and slap a few charges on them, and they're immediately a criminal."

Xueliang yawned lazily.

He hadn't slept for four days, rechecked his martial arts, trained for a day, and read through the law book in a day.

He hadn't slept for five days straight. Even a top expert couldn't avoid feeling tired.

"Shouldn't you get some rest?"

"I was thinking about it. I just need to confirm one thing."

Xueliang glanced at Madongphi.

"How are you doing?"

"Me?"

"How's your body? It must be a whole new world for you."

Madongphi's face brightened.

"It's incredible. I never imagined I had such power within me."

"Me neither. I didn't think you were suppressing your strength so much."

"…I'm ashamed."

"Why are you ashamed of me? You should be ashamed of your constrained mind.

What good is a strong will if your thinking is rigid? You'll end up getting a big blow one day."

"…"

"It's not like I'm criticizing you, so there's no need to look so down."

"Ah, yes."

Xueliang muttered quietly. He thought Madongphi had improved, but he was still as stiff as ever, unable to understand even a joke.

Madongphi's face turned awkward.

'This must be difficult for him.'

He realized that Xiaoyanxin was not good at putting on a show. Still, her straightforwardness was part of her charm.

"Is the martial arts technique you learned from the Law Enforcement Hall?"

"Yes, it's a technique that all Law Enforcement Hall members learn."

"Even the head of the Law Enforcement Hall?"

"Ah, the Grand Law Enforcement Officer has learned a more advanced technique."

"Hmm."

Xueliang stroked his chin and nodded.

"I'll take a look at your technique later. You won't keep the technique a secret, will you?"

"Of course not."

Even if it meant breaking the law, he would be honored to have a top expert review his technique.

"Great, that's settled."

Xueliang lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

"Wake me up when the sun sets."

"Do you have something to do?"

Xueliang smiled.

"What else? I need to solidify my martial arts. I'll have to move around to catch the real culprit. Most importantly…"

"…?"

"You're in a new world, and I'm in a new world too. I plan to perfect everything before the Bashun Festival."

"…!"

"I'm going to sleep."

A day, two days, three days passed.

Finally, the night before the Bashun Festival arrived.