Chapter 245: Chaoli Totem
At that moment, someone entered to report, "Chief, the Seven Stars Cult Leader says she has urgent matters to discuss."
Chen Qing looked toward his master.
Gu Yanxi curled his lips, "Since she's so impatient, let's accommodate her. Bring her here."
"Yes."
This was Yuan Shifang's study, divided into inner and outer chambers. It appeared he spent considerable time here daily, as the inner chamber was furnished quite comfortably.
Gu Yanxi's eyes swept around the room, his brow slightly furrowed. For some reason, he felt something was amiss, as if there were extra items present. His gaze scanned inch by inch until suddenly he turned back to look at the inconspicuous lower left corner of a cabinet. Walking over, he picked up a four-legged incense burner from that corner, then continued his meticulous search. From the assorted clutter in the upper right area, he hooked out an object that seemed both round and square. Gu Yanxi placed this object atop the incense burner - it fit perfectly. The item he held now became recognizable: it was a tail.
After thoroughly searching every other part of the room with no further discoveries, even someone of Gu Yanxi's steady temperament felt tidal waves of shock rising within him as he examined the now clearly shaped object in his hand.
Meanwhile, movement came from outside.
The Seven Stars Cult Leader remained dressed in white robes, her expression serene, presenting a perfect image of detachment from worldly affairs.
Chen Qing sat unmoving like a mountain.
The Cult Leader instead smiled, the meaning behind her smile known only to herself.
"This humble one, Haoyue, pays respects to the Chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau."
"Haoyue - a fine name. I only wonder whom this bright moon intends to illuminate." Chen Qing's voice, filtered through his mask, sounded somewhat distorted. Combined with his deliberate imitation of the Heir, it bore seventy to eighty percent resemblance.
"Three months ago, I was still learning my craft in the mountains. At that time, I had no intention of entering worldly affairs. But one day, I suddenly felt inspired to cast a divination, through which I learned that great conflicts would soon arise in the world." Haoyue spoke unhurriedly, yet her words struck Chen Qing's heart like thunder. Great conflicts arising in the world - didn't that mean the Daqing Dynasty's rule was unstable?
Chen Qing suppressed his thoughts, "Might I ask which esteemed master the Lady Haoyue studies under?"
"My master has never involved himself in worldly matters, so his name would be unknown even if spoken. He permitted my entry into the world because he calculated that my marriage fate lies within these mortal dusts. Moreover, how can one speak of transcending the world without first experiencing its mundane realities?"
"So Lady Haoyue created this Seven Stars Cult just to attract my attention?"
Haoyue smiled, her jade-white fingers gently tucking stray hair behind her ear in an elegant gesture, "There's no need for concern, Chief. The Holy Water is a medicinal concoction I prepared - consuming it brings benefit without harm."
While seemingly not answering directly, she had essentially admitted it.
Chen Qing maintained his imposing demeanor, "What does the lady seek to gain?"
"Chief, I dare not claim great ability, but I have fully inherited my master's teachings in the art of divination. As you concern yourself with the welfare of all under heaven, I can certainly be of significant assistance."
"Oh?"
Haoyue knew this was her moment to demonstrate her value. She offered a light smile, "This coming August, the Wei River will breach its banks, causing tens of thousands of casualties. The breach will occur at Xiangyang in Jing Province."
Understanding the principle of knowing when to stop, Haoyue rose and gave a slight bow after speaking, "I shall await your decision, Chief."
Once certain she had gone far enough, Chen Qing immediately entered the inner chamber. But before he could speak, his master commanded, "Go retrieve every single item from Yuan Shifang's person. You must go personally, and leave nothing behind."Chen Qing, seeing his master's expression, swiftly left the room without a word and returned shortly, carrying a small bundle which he opened before his master.
Gu Yanxi immediately spotted what he was looking for—Yuan Shifang’s personal seal, a wolf-head emblem.
Picking up the wolf head and placing it alongside the two previous items, a vividly lifelike wolf stood proudly.
"This is..." Chen Qing gasped. Having served the Heir for many years and studied extensively, he naturally recognized it as the totem of the Chao Li Tribe. Could Yuan Shifang be a member of the Chao Li Tribe? But how was that possible? The Chao Li Kingdom had fallen so long ago, and the Daqing Dynasty had always been vigilant. How could the Chao Li Tribe have silently infiltrated someone deep into Daqing territory, even placing him in the position of a regional chief administrator?
Wait!
"Could it be that Haoyue knew Yuan Shifang’s background? Is that why she pulled this stunt?"
Gu Yanxi clenched the items in his hand, rose, and walked to the desk. Chen Qing immediately stepped forward to grind the ink.
After the ink dried, Gu Yanxi sealed the letter and handed it to Chen Qing, issuing a cold command, "Dispatch someone immediately to the capital to deliver this letter directly to the Emperor. Mobilize all available personnel from the Seven Constellation Bureau to provide support along the route. Remember, do not enter the city."
Chen Qing responded gravely, understanding his master’s intent. If Yuan Shifang truly was a Chao Li tribesman, they had caught a big fish. Once they broke his silence, they could uncover the current state of the Chao Li Tribe. The tribe was notoriously xenophobic, making it impossible for their spies to get close. Over the years, their knowledge of the Chao Li Tribe had stagnated, which was highly dangerous. The Chao Li Tribe would certainly not leave any survivors in their hands. Whether the enemy intended to rescue or eliminate him, any conflict must not occur within densely populated cities.
"Thoroughly screen the Chief Administrator’s Mansion. Allow entry but no exit. Take my official seal and invite General Lu to the mansion for a discussion. Keep it discreet."
"Yes."
Compared to this matter, both the Seven Stars Sect and Haoyue were trivial issues, not even worth mentioning between master and servant.
The Green Willow Battalion of Yuzhou was stationed ten li west of the city. Its commander, Lu Peiyu, came from a military family and was no fool. He knew that being summoned by the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau late at night was no small matter, likely related to Yuzhou. Thinking of the increasingly notorious Seven Stars Sect, he had an idea.
Gu Yanxi put on his mask and, without a word, presented the three items for Lu Peiyu to examine.
The Daqing Dynasty indeed feared the Chao Li Tribe, especially the well-established noble families who knew more inside information and were even more wary.
Lu Peiyu’s expression immediately changed. He rushed forward in a few steps, took the items, and examined them carefully. There was no mistake—it was the totem of the Chao Li Tribe. Their wolf head had horns, unmistakable to those who knew.
"Where did this come from?"
"Yuan Shifang."
"I need evidence!" Lu Peiyu was incredulous. He had worked with Yuan Shifang for years; while they weren’t close friends, their professional relationship was amicable. Yuan Shifang was undeniably capable, ranking among the top three chief administrators across the nine provinces.
If he were a Chao Li tribesman, if he were... The thought sent chills down Lu Peiyu’s spine.
Gu Yanxi picked up the wolf head and turned its base toward Lu Peiyu. "This is Yuan Shifang’s personal seal."Lu Peiyu suddenly recalled that he had indeed seen Yuan Shifang use this seal before, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't connect that refined and scholarly man with the fierce Chao Li Tribe.
The Chao Li Tribe were so burly, so brutal in temperament, so overbearing, so...
In every aspect, Yuan Shifang was nothing like them, not in the slightest!
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