Chapter 244: The Master of the Celestial Sect

Yuzhou Province was also experiencing rain.

Chen Qing quickly entered the room, removing his raincoat, "Master, we've found a lead on Yuan Shifang."

Gu Yanxi was not surprised in the slightest. He continued to lower his head and steadily wrote, a portrait of a lady coming to life on the paper. After hesitating slightly at the eyes, he put down his pen, took the nearby handkerchief to wipe his hands, and looked up at Chen Qing.

Chen Qing continued, "Yuan Shifang is very cautious. He hasn't left the residence, and aside from receiving colleagues, he hasn't seen any outsiders. If it weren't for our brothers keeping a close eye, even the number of maidservants around his wife would have been recorded, and we wouldn't have discovered that someone new had joined Yuan Madam when she returned from going out."

"So, the Master of the Celestial Sect has entered the residence?"

"Yes, I've already confirmed it, Master. Should we make a move?"

Gu Yanxi tapped his finger on the desk, "Where did she join up?"

"Near the place where she used to perform rituals. Because we'd lost track of her several times in that place, everyone kept a close watch there..." Chen Qing suddenly went silent.

"She knows I'm looking for her."

Chen Qing's expression was extremely ugly, "Do you mean she deliberately left a clue? Just to draw us out? But we're officials, even if she draws us out, what else can she do? Does she want to catch us all in one net?"

"Everything you know, she must know as well. Since she knows and still does this, she must have a plan." Gu Yanxi propped his chin with one hand, the corners of his lips rising. "As she wishes, you personally lead the team there, in my identity."

As someone who had followed the young master for many years, Chen Qing immediately understood that the master was using this matter to probe and see if there was any connection with those in the capital. The actions of the Seven Stars Division, especially the leader's actions, were completely unknown to outsiders, and only those few people could get a little information. If it were connected to those few people again...

Chen Qing shuddered. The previous blood had not yet been washed clean, and he hoped that they would not probe the master's bottom line in this matter again.

After closing and reopening the door, Gu Yanxi sat quietly for a moment before picking up his pen again. He carefully placed the pen on the eyes of the figure on the paper. When the finishing touch was added, the person on the paper suddenly came to life, as if they had gained vitality.

Yet, Gu Yanxi was still disappointed. No matter how many times he painted, he couldn't capture the essence of Ah Zhi, especially her eyes. The quiet yet powerful look in Hua Zhi's eyes was something he simply couldn't replicate.

But this was the best painting he had done so far. Reluctant to discard it, Gu Yanxi carefully hung it up to dry. Compared to the painting, he longed to see the real person even more!

Meanwhile, Chen Qing, his face covered by a mask, led his men straight into the Governor's Mansion. The common people didn't know what this mask represented, but in the official circles, it was a well-known symbol.

Yuan Shifang's face twitched as soon as he saw the mask. But as the governor who held power over this region, he didn't lose his composure. Instead, he stood up and bowed respectfully, "Your subordinate greets you, Sir."

Chen Qing, adopting the demeanor of the young master, spoke in a cold voice, "Governor Yuan is too polite. The Seven Stars Bureau is here on an official mission. Please step aside, Governor Yuan."

"Wait a moment," Yuan Shifang didn't expect the Seven Stars Bureau to be so decisive. He was caught off guard. "Your subordinate would like to ask, who in this mansion has committed a crime?"

"Governor Yuan, don't be impatient. Just wait and see." Chen Qing waved his hand. "Search!"

Yuan Shifang tried to stop them but was held down by the men of the Seven Stars Bureau. He was conflicted. He couldn't resist and reveal his guilt, nor could he resist too much and arouse suspicion. Weighing the pros and cons in a split second, he sank his face and said, "Although your subordinate is insignificant, I would like to ask, what if the Seven Stars Bureau finds nothing in this mansion?"

Anticipating the young master's reaction to these words, Chen Qing replied in a calm voice, "Whatever happens, happens."

Yuan Shifang was furious but could do nothing. He only hoped that the person had already left the mansion, but he prayed that...

"Captain, we found her!"

Yuan Shifang turned around and saw the person being pushed in by the men of the Seven Stars Bureau. His mind went blank. How, how could it be?

How could she not escape!

"Arrest her."

It was not the leader of the Celestial Sect who was arrested, but Yuan Shifang himself.

Yuan Shifang naturally denied it. Of course, he couldn't admit it. "Your Honor, I have no idea who this person is, nor do I know why she is in my mansion. Please investigate clearly!"

Chen Qing maintained the young master's usual aloof demeanor and said nothing. He simply gestured, and the members of the Seven Stars Bureau dispersed, quickly taking control of the entire Governor's Mansion.

Yuan Shifang was thrown into the prison where he usually kept others. He was not even given a guard. Gu Yanxi actually hoped someone would come to rescue him.

"Master, as you expected, the leader of the Celestial Sect didn't leave. It seems like she was specifically waiting for us."

"She wasn't waiting for you, she was waiting for the leader of the Seven Stars Bureau." Gu Yanxi played with a silver hairpin, his eyes filled with thought. "My elder brother's arm has already been cut off, and now he's far away in the north. This matter has nothing to do with him. The others seem to have their own possibilities, but upon closer examination, none of them seem likely. No matter how much they covet that position, they wouldn't use the same tactics when the dust hasn't settled yet.

Or perhaps this matter has nothing to do with the imperial palace?

If that's the case, heh, when did the Great Daqing Dynasty become so full of holes?

"Interrogate Yuan Shifang tonight."

"Yes."

Interrogation was always a matter for the Three Courts. Chen Qing went out to make arrangements and then returned. "What should we do with the leader of the Celestial Sect?"

"Since she's taken the bait, we must hook her." Gu Yanxi paused suddenly. "Come closer."

Chen Qing looked puzzled and stepped forward.

"Come closer to me."

Chen Qing knew something was wrong and immediately stepped forward.

Gu Yanxi leaned in and sniffed. He had clearly smelled a certain scent before, but now that he was closer, it was gone.

"Go back to your previous position."

As soon as Chen Qing returned to his previous position, Gu Yanxi faintly smelled the scent again, indicating that his sense of smell was not failing him.

"Master, is there something wrong with me?"

"Have you been close to the leader of the Celestial Sect before?"

Chen Qing recalled, "Your subordinate had the leader of the Celestial Sect detained in a side room. She passed by your subordinate at that time."

If it were Shao Yao, she could instantly slip dozens of deadly pills and powders onto someone. Even if this person was not as skilled as Shao Yao, it would not be difficult for her to sprinkle some powder on Chen Qing.

The corners of Gu Yanxi's lips curved into a slight smile. He knew that using this method to test whether the person behind the mask was always the same person. It seemed that she had a good understanding of the leader of the Seven Stars Bureau. Since that was the case, "From now on, whenever you need to contact her, you will be the one to do so. Be careful, she has some tricks up her sleeve."

"Yes." After he personally failed to capture the person, Chen Qing knew that this woman had some abilities. He didn't dare underestimate her.

Chen Qing suddenly thought of the young lady of the Hua family. She was also a very capable young lady, but she gave a completely different feeling compared to the leader of the Celestial Sect. One made people instinctively wary, while the other made people let down their guard. Indeed, he still preferred... no, he was more willing to deal with the young lady.