Chapter 245: The Chao Li Totem

"Chief, the Celestial Sect leader says they have urgent matters to discuss," a messenger reported.

Chen Qing looked towards the master.

Gu Yanxi curled his lips, "Since she's so eager, let's grant her wish. Bring her here."

"Yes."

This was Yuan Shifang's study, divided into inner and outer rooms. It seemed he spent quite a lot of time here, as the inner room was furnished very comfortably.

Gu Yanxi's eyes scanned the room, his brow furrowing slightly. For some reason, he felt a sense of unease, as if something was out of place. His gaze moved inch by inch, and suddenly, he turned his attention back to the inconspicuous lower left corner of the cabinet.

Walking over, he picked up a four-legged incense burner and examined it inch by inch. Then, from among the miscellaneous items in the upper right corner, he hooked out a vaguely round and square object. Gu Yanxi placed this object on top of the incense burner, and it fit perfectly. The object he was holding now was easily recognizable—a tail.

Searching the rest of the room carefully, he found nothing else. Yet, looking at the object in his hand that was now taking shape, even with Gu Yanxi's composure, he felt a storm brewing within.

Meanwhile, there was a commotion outside.

The Celestial Cult Master, still clad in white robes, maintained a serene expression, appearing utterly detached from worldly affairs.

Chen Qing sat unmoving as the wind howled.

The Cult Master smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Haoyue, greets the leader of the Seven Stars Bureau.”

“Haoyue, a beautiful name. I wonder whose heart this bright moon seeks to illuminate?” Chen Qing's voice, distorted by his mask and his deliberate imitation of the Crown Prince, was remarkably similar.

“Three months ago, I was still learning in the mountains. I had no desire for the mortal world back then. But one day, I felt a sudden premonition and cast a divination, only to learn that great turmoil was about to engulf the world.” Haoyue spoke slowly, her words like a clap of thunder in Chen Qing's heart.

Great turmoil was about to engulf the world—could this mean the Great Qing Dynasty was on the brink of collapse?

Chen Qing suppressed his thoughts. “I wonder, Miss Haoyue, who is your esteemed master?”

“My master has never been involved in worldly affairs. Even if I were to tell you, no one would know. He allowed me to enter the mortal world because he divined that my destiny was intertwined with this earthly realm. Besides, how can one truly understand detachment without first experiencing the world of mortals?”

“So, Miss Haoyue, you created the Celestial Sect merely to attract this official?”

Haoyue smiled, gracefully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Leader, do not worry. The holy water is a potion I concocted. It is beneficial and harmless to the body.”

While she seemed to deny it, she had essentially admitted it.

Chen Qing maintained his imposing posture. “What are your intentions, Miss?”

“Leader, Haoyue dares not claim to possess great abilities, but I have mastered the art of divination from my master. Seeing as you care deeply for the common people, I am certain I can be of great assistance.”

“Oh?”

Haoyue knew it was her time to shine. A faint smile played on her lips, "In August of this year, the Wei River broke its banks, causing tens of thousands of casualties. The breach occurred in Xiangyang, Jingzhou."

Haoyue was well aware of the importance of knowing when to stop. Having said this, she rose and bowed slightly, "Haoyue will await your orders here."

Once he was certain the person had left, Chenqing quickly entered the inner room, but before he could speak, he heard his master say, "Retrieve everything from Yuan Shifang's person. Go yourself, and don't miss a thing."

Without a word, Chenqing left the room and returned shortly, carrying a small pouch which he opened before his master.

Gu Yanxi immediately spotted what he was looking for: Yuan Shifang's private seal, a wolf's head.

Placing the wolf's head alongside the other two items, a lifelike wolf stood proud.

"This is..." Chenqing exclaimed.

Having followed the young master for many years, he had learned a great deal and naturally recognized this as the totem of the Chaoli tribe. Could Yuan Shifang be a member of the Chaoli tribe?

But how could that be?

The Chaoli kingdom had been destroyed so many years ago, and the Great Daqing Dynasty had always been vigilant. How could the Chaoli people have silently sent someone into the heart of the Great Daqing and even allowed him to become the governor of a province?

Wait!

"Could Haoyue know about Yuan Shifang's background? That's why she would do something like this?"

Gu Yanxi held the object in his hand, rose, and walked to the desk. Chenqing immediately came forward to grind ink.

After the ink dried, Gu Yanxi sealed it and handed it to Chenqing, ordering coldly, "Immediately send someone back to the capital to deliver this letter personally to the Emperor. Dispatch all available personnel from the Seven Stars Division to provide escort along the way. Remember, do not enter the city."

Chen Qing responded solemnly. He understood his master's meaning. If Yuan Shifang was indeed a member of the Chaoli tribe, then they had caught a big fish. As long as they could pry open his mouth, they could learn about the current situation within the Chaoli tribe.

The Chaoli people were very exclusive, and their spies could not approach them. After so many years, their understanding of the Chaoli tribe was still based on old information, which was very dangerous. And the Chaoli tribe would certainly not leave any survivors in their hands. Regardless of whether the other party intended to capture or kill them, the conflict must not occur in a densely populated city.

"Thoroughly search the General's Mansion, allowing no one in or out. Take my official seal and invite General Lu to come to the mansion for a discussion. Do not make a fuss."

"Yes."

In comparison to this matter, whether it was the Celestial Sect or the Haoyue, they could only be considered minor issues, and the master and servant did not even mention them.

The Qingliu Camp of Yuzhou was stationed ten miles outside the city to the west. The general in charge of the troops, Lu Peiyu, came from a family of military generals and was certainly not a reckless man. He understood that being invited by the leader of the Seven Stars Bureau late at night was no small matter, and it was likely related to Yuzhou. Thinking about the increasingly prominent reputation of the Celestial Sect, he had a sense of what was going on.

Gu Yanxi put on his mask and didn't say a word, instead, he showed him three things.

The nobility in the Daqing Dynasty did indeed change colors when it came to discussing the Chao Li clan, let alone the influential noble families. They were privy to many inside information and were more cautious regarding the Chao Li clan.

Lu Peiyu's expression changed immediately. He quickly stepped forward, took the items, and carefully examined them. Indeed, it was the totem of the Chao Li clan with a wolf's head topped with horns, a detail known to those who understood.

"I wonder where you obtained this from."

"Yuan Shifang."

"I need evidence!" Lu Peiyu could not believe it. He had worked with Yuan Shifang for several years. While they may not have had a deep personal relationship, their professional relationship was good. He was undeniably a capable official, and within the Nine Provinces, his abilities ranked in the top three.

If he was a member of the Chao Li clan, if he was...Lu Peiyu shuddered at the thought.

Gu Yanxi picked up the wolf head and pointed the bottom towards Lu Peiyu, "This is Yuan Shifang's personal seal."

Lu Peiyu suddenly remembered that he had indeed seen Yuan Shifang use this seal before. However, no matter how he thought about it, he could not connect that sophisticated man with the fierce and savage Chao Li clan.

The Chao Li clan were known for their large stature, their brutality, their fierceness, their...

In every aspect, Yuan Shifang was nothing like them, not at all!