"Is the Demon Path sorcerer dead?
Was it Zhao Douan again?
Not only that, but the Kuangfu Society's sub-branch was also uprooted?"
In the Golden Throne Hall, the Ministers were briefly dumbfounded by the news the Empress had revealed.
Even with the Qi Cultivation Skill of Li Yanfu and Yuann Li, they too felt a mont of unreality, a sense of the surreal.
Everything had happened so quickly—wasn't it just yesterday that the news of the State Preceptor and his return to the Demon Path was announced?
He died in just one day?
"He must have co to present himself..."
At this mont, this thought arose in the minds of many Ministers.
Just a second ago, everyone was still worrying and discussing how to respond to this challenge, but the threatening Demon Path sorcerer couldn't even last a day.
And took the rebel sub-branch with him.
It was beyond comprehension.
Yuann Li had an epiphany: No wonder Ma Yan didn't attend court; if such a big event had happened last night, he must still be dealing with the aftermath.
Imdiately afterward, he couldn't help but wonder, what was that kid Zhao Douan up to now?
...
Outside the Imperial Palace.
Zhao Douan strode out of the towering palace gates, then headed towards the Imperial Court, basked in the golden sunlight of the autumn morning.
As he reached the main entrance of the governnt office and saw the two stone lions, the Jinyi Captains at the door all gave him looks as if they were seeing a deity.
"Master Zhao!"
"Mr. Zhao!"
Every face showed sincere admiration, as well as fierce envy.
Clearly, last night's events had spread, and what really made the governnt officers envy and resentful was not the swiftly fallen Demon Path sorcerer, but the act of "taking down the sub-branch in one fell swoop."
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Zhao, where are you coming from?"
Stepping into the entrance of the Governor Hall, the familiar face Haitang was there, arms crossed and asking with a tone of jealousy.
In the early morning, the wilted plants of the courtyard were drenched with dew; today was a clear day, and the bright sunlight made the dark circles under the female detective's eyes particularly noticeable.
"Mr. Hai, good morning, why don't I see Lord here?" Zhao Douan greeted with a dazzling smile, in quite a good mood.
Haitang, who had not slept all night, yawned and said, "He's personally overseeing those prisoners in the Imperial Prison."
Then, she briefly updated Zhao Douan on what had happened after he had been taken to the palace last night.
After Zhao Douan left last night, Haitang led n to the Bafang Theater, and with the authority of the governnt officer, they sealed off the entire theater, which had already been disturbed.
At the sa ti, they sealed off any news, only announcing the arrest of rebels.
Then, the people from Lihua Hall who stayed behind contacted and sought Gongshu Tianyuan's team for a rendezvous.
Gongshu Tianyuan's side was incredibly successful, facing almost no obstruction, and it wasn't until dozens of rebels were arrested that their mission was concluded.
After that, a bunch of traitorous rebels captured overnight were thrown into the Imperial Prison, where Ma Yan personally oversaw the interrogations while the rest were busy with the aftermath until now.
"Gongshu Tianyuan has gone back to the Heavenly Master Mansion, saying that although they didn't catch the sorcerer, they thank you for your hospitality," Haitang said, yawning while speaking.
With a deeply aggrieved look, she added another line:
"You Lihua Hall really did a big job quietly, and you've pulled the Heavenly Master Mansion's connections clean and clear."
She was very bitter!
Just this once, with Lihua Hall's achievents this year, they would undoubtedly be first in the assessnt. Haitang had worked diligently, leading the Narcissus Hall, coveting the title of the first among the Nine Halls, and yet Zhao Douan had taken it from her.
However, after her bitterness subsided, she still sighed in admiration and said, "Rember to treat to a al."
Then she turned around to catch up on sleep.
Seeing this, Zhao Douan also smiled but didn't explain. His goal was never about competing for the first place among the Nine Halls; it was just preparation for what would follow.
Not in a hurry to see Ma Yan, he turned his head and first returned to Lihua Hall to understand the specifics.
"Sir, were you okay last night?" Qian Kerou finished reporting in detail and curiously sized him up.
"What could possibly happen to ?" Zhao Douan said nonchalantly.
"But your face looks pale..." The secretary spoke half a sentence, then the other three impishly gestured and interrupted her.
Thinking better to leave so things unsaid, the fact that the Sir had stayed in the palace for a night and had a pale complexion was perfectly reasonable.
"Sir, here is your mask." Zheng Laojiu handed the disguise mask "Nine Changes" back to him.
The item had been lent to the Thousand Faces God last night and was naturally reclaid afterwards.
"Uh-huh, how are Yun Xi and that Wu Ling doing?" Zhao Douan asked, then without waiting for an answer, stood up and said with a smile, "Never mind, I'll go see for myself."
He was ready to visit his cheap senior brother first, then question those few individuals.
...
...
Deep within the Imperial Prison.
The morning light shone through the "品"-shaped ventilation hole on the top of the wall, a straight beam illuminating Qing Niao's face.
In the past, at this ti, if she could ti it right... she and Yun Xi would squeeze together to welco the rare dawn light of the cell.
However, today, it was only her embracing the sunlight with her face, Qing Niao turned her head to look at the girl sitting with her back to her, facing the wall in a ditative posture on the stone bed, and whispered tentatively, "Yun Xi?"
Yun Xi didn't respond.
Since coming back last night, the girl had been silently speechless.
In just one day, what died was not only Master Gu Huo but also Yun Xi's heart.
Zhao Douan had taken her out for a spin, effortlessly toppling the faith that had been wrapped in lies.
After returning, the only thing she did was to destroy all the marks she had engraved on the wall to record the dates.
Then sat facing the wall, unmoving until now.
"Actually..." Qing Niao hesitated, trying to think of comforting words.
Suddenly, the sound of chain shackles rang out in the corridor, accompanied by footsteps. This sound finally startled them.
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