Chapter 306 - 167: Scapegoat Zhu Sheng

Chapter 306: Chapter 167: Scapegoat Zhu Sheng

Yang Wenqing hurriedly bowed. "Master."

Qin Huaiming nodded, his gaze first falling on the fisherman’s corpse on the ground. Then, he raised his right hand, splayed his fingers, and pressed down on the empty air within the stone house.

In that instant, Yang Wenqing felt an indescribable, strange ripple emanate from his master. The entire scene inside the stone house seemed to twist for a moment; the light, the shadows, and even the paths of dust motes in the air were briefly dislocated and thrown into chaos.

But the sensation lasted for less than a hundredth of a second before everything returned to normal, so fast that it made him wonder if he had imagined it.

Qin Huaiming lowered his hand, his expression slightly grim. He looked at Yang Wenqing. "That was Zhu Sheng’s puppet, wasn’t it? All cultivators in Donghai Province at the Entry realm or higher have his Spiritual Qi signature on record."

Yang Wenqing nodded decisively in acknowledgment. "Yes, Master. It was indeed Senior Zhu Sheng’s puppet. It came to speak with me."

He held nothing back, frankly relaying his entire conversation with the puppet to Qin Huaiming word for word, including the behind-the-scenes truths about the universe, the end of cultivation, the conflict in the East Sea, as well as the puppet’s final test and recruitment attempt.

After listening, Qin Huaiming was silent for a moment. His face showed little surprise. Instead, he first explained the Yuqing Skill he had just used. "What I just used was the Yuqing Skill, ’Reversing Yin and Yang.’ At its most profound, this Magic can briefly disrupt the order of yin and yang in a region to trace things back to their source."

"It is rumored that if this skill is cultivated to its absolute limit, it can alter life and death, though I don’t know if that’s true. My own Cultivation is limited, so I can only maintain the observation for an instant."

Just then, the faint hum of a Flying Shuttle landing and the sound of footsteps came from outside. It was Zhu Yunchuan, Lei Kang, and Fang Sui. The three of them jumped down from the Flying Shuttle and froze for a second upon seeing Qin Huaiming, then hurriedly stepped forward to bow respectfully. "Director Qin!"

Qin Huaiming simply gave a faint nod in response, his gaze not lingering on them for long. He then turned to Yang Wenqing. "Wenqing, leave the matters here to Vice Director Chu and the two Inspector-Generals. Come with me. I have something to ask you."

With that, he turned and walked out of the stone house.

Yang Wenqing immediately understood. He said to Zhu Yunchuan and the two Inspector-Generals, "Vice Director Chu, you’re in full charge of the scene. Wenyuan, you stay and assist Vice Director Chu. Give him a detailed report of everything we saw and heard after we arrived."

He trusted Yang Wenyuan to know what should and should not be said.

"Yes, Director!"

Zhu Yunchuan and Yang Wenyuan replied in unison. Lei Kang and Fang Sui, the two Inspector-Generals, also clasped their hands and affirmed their full cooperation. Meanwhile, Qin Huaiming had already left the house and walked to the edge of the cliff outside.

Yang Wenqing quickened his pace to catch up with his master.

At the cliff’s edge, the sea wind howled.

Qin Huaiming stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant, moonlit surface of the sea, which shimmered yet concealed a turbulent undercurrent. Yang Wenqing stood quietly by his side, awaiting his master’s instructions.

"Wenqing..." Qin Huaiming’s voice carried clearly over the wind. "You handled tonight’s events quite appropriately. To face a figure like Zhu Sheng and maintain your composure, not to be swayed by his words, is a rare feat."

"To be honest, the Bureau was just using Zhu Sheng’s name. I didn’t expect him to actually be involved. No need to make that face. For many unclassifiable cases, the City Defense Bureau will find some trouble-making Taiyan Cultivator to be the scapegoat, and Zhu Sheng’s name is the biggest one of all."

"But he won’t be taking the fall for much longer. No matter how powerful a Third Realm cultivator is, their life will eventually run out. And a Third Realm Taiyan Cultivator whose lifespan is about to end is a terrifying thing, because they will do anything to extend their lives."

He turned to look at his young disciple, his eyes holding both scrutiny and concern.

"But you don’t need to worry too much. These sorts of matters aren’t for you to fret over yet. Just focus on being the Director for the Lingshan New District and maintaining peace in your jurisdiction. As for the municipal bureau’s investigation into the mole, it’s enough for you to be aware of it. Don’t get too invested, and don’t lose sleep over it."

He paused, then continued, "Even if you do uncover something, or if someone intentionally hands you a hot potato, you don’t need to be afraid. If the sky falls, your master and your sect will be there to hold it up for you. It won’t be your turn to bear the greatest responsibility."

Qin Huaiming’s tone carried the protectiveness of an elder for a junior, as well as the confidence of a superior. "You just need to remember that you are the chief security officer of the Lingshan New District. Protecting the territory and its people is your duty. In your daily life, cultivate when you should cultivate, and handle your official duties when you must. Just wait patiently for the apprenticeship ceremony next month."

"As for any hands reaching in, whether from within the New District or from the outside, if anyone deliberately stirs up trouble, you are to suppress them directly with an iron fist. You don’t need to request permission or report every single thing, and you certainly don’t need to worry about offending anyone. Just inform me afterward. If anyone has a problem with it, let them go and complain themselves."

A warmth spread through Yang Wenqing’s heart. He knew his master was paving the way for him, as well as teaching him how to uphold his principles in a complex situation. He replied respectfully, "I understand, Master. Thank you for your guidance."

But a doubt still lingered in his mind. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Master, since the municipal bureau already knows some of the inside story, why are they investigating this mole with such fanfare? If they actually uncover something that’s inconvenient to make public, wouldn’t it be awkward for everyone?"

Hearing this, a faint smile touched Qin Huaiming’s lips. He replied, "Sometimes, you investigate not because you don’t know, but precisely because you do. Besides, things have gotten too big. With one bombing after another and the unprecedented scale of the Water Race attacks, not investigating would be the truly ugly and unmanageable outcome."