Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 140 First, let's go to Jingren Palace.

Tong Lei stood up, walked up to the man in black, and stared at him with piercing eyes: "You think we can't do anything to you if you don't talk? I know that your Xuanji Hall has a strict set of rules. If secrets are leaked, your family will be implicated."

"But have you ever thought that if you die, your family will also be in danger?"

Tong Lei's voice was low and seductive: "If you ask me, rather than everyone dying, it's better to tell the truth. Maybe then we can keep your family safe."

The man in black trembled slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

Tong Lei continued, "Our target is the mastermind behind Xuanji Hall. As long as you cooperate, we will not make things difficult for you or your family."

Even heretical practitioners are human.

Like Yunbo, he lived like a normal person most of the time.

The man in black remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "I'll say it... but you must promise me that you will protect my family."

Tong Lei's expression relaxed slightly, and he quickly said, "Okay, I swear in the name of Wuji Tower that as long as you tell the truth, we will guarantee the safety of your family."

The man in black took a deep breath and slowly said, "The mastermind behind the Xuanji Hall... is a mysterious organization. No one knows their real name. All we know is that they have been plotting in secret, trying to control the entire continent. As for their scheme against the Royal Holy Land, I only know that they want something from within the Holy Land, but as for what it is, I really don't know."

Tong Lei pressed further, "Then what methods do they have to break the sacred ground's restrictions? What else do you know? Tell me all of that!"

The man in black hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I heard they found a master of ancient formations who might have a way to break the sacred ground's restrictions. As for the rest... I really don't know."

Seeing that the man in black did not seem to be lying, Tong Lei ordered his men to lock him up first.

As they left the interrogation room, Tong Lei said to Su Jinghuan, "You should have heard what he said. I'll leave the rest to Captain Su to report to the palace."

"If you wish to interrogate the man in black again, you may do so at any time, or Your Majesty may send someone to transfer him to the royal dungeon."

Su Jinghuan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Alright, I'll go to the palace now."

Su Jinghuan dared not delay and immediately used his movement technique to rush towards the palace.

Before long, he arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, informed the guards, and hurriedly entered the hall.

At this moment, Bei Chenyao was still discussing countermeasures with Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun.

After bowing, Su Jinghuan gave a detailed account of Tong Lei's interrogation of the man in black.

Upon hearing this, Bei Chenyao's already furrowed brows deepened even further: "A mysterious organization is attempting to control the continent and has even found a master proficient in ancient formations. The situation is becoming increasingly dire!"

"Your Majesty, the most urgent tasks are: first, to summon array masters as soon as possible to strengthen the sacred ground's defenses; even if the enemy has experts, we must enhance our defenses as much as possible; second, to expedite the investigation of the royal family to prevent traitors from being used by them."

Gu Changzhou paused and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that not only the Empress, but also the other concubines who have princes should be closely monitored."

"What you say is absolutely right, Minister Gu. The Xuanji Hall has such a powerful backing that it is highly likely that they have planted people in the inner palace. The concubines who have princes have special statuses, and if they are used, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Bei Chenyao's gaze fell on Liu Sijun: "Alchemist Liu, it's been a while since you've examined the pulses of the concubines in the harem, hasn't it?"

Liu Sijun: "..."

"It's been over a month!"

"I urge Master Liu to use the pretext of taking pulses to closely monitor the movements of the inner palace."

Liu Sijun nodded in agreement.

It is true that she participated in these battles against evil cultivators, but she herself was a resident alchemist in the palace, and she would examine the pulses of the concubines in the harem every month.

The timing was perfect. Her investigation, conducted under the guise of taking her pulse, wouldn't seem abrupt.

Su Jinghuan said from the side, "Your Majesty, we need to find and protect the family of the man in black as soon as possible. If the Xuanji Hall finds out that the man in black has spoken, they are very likely to kill him to silence him and destroy the clues."

Bei Chenyao's expression hardened: "Commander Su is right. I'll leave this matter to you."

Back at the Longevity Palace, Liu Sijun picked up the pills he had recently refined before heading to the inner palace. Nian Shuang followed behind, muttering, "Alchemist Liu, should we go to the Luanming Palace first?"

"No, let's go to Jingren Palace first."

Consort Shu lives in Jingren Palace; she is the birth mother of the Second Prince, Beichen Min.

Bei Chenmin was born in the third year of Bei Chenyao's ascension to the throne. He is 69 years old this year, but he also has the cultivation level of the mid-stage Golden Core. He rarely shows his face and can be described as extremely low-key.

Consort Shu was the same.

But perhaps because the eldest prince was under house arrest, Jingren Palace, which is usually rather quiet, has become quite lively.

When Liu Sijun arrived, Consort Jing had just left after visiting someone else.

The palace maid who was seeing him off saw Liu Sijun from afar, smiled and took a few steps forward to greet him: "Master Liu has arrived. It's been a month or so since we last met, and Her Majesty has been thinking of you."

"Your Highness Consort Lao Shu is concerned."

The palace maid who spoke was named Yunzai. She was thirty-nine years old this year, but looked to be in her early twenties. She was tall and slender, but had large, watery, and sweet eyes when she looked at people.

It just goes to show that like master, like servant.

Consort Shu also looks very gentle.

Liu Sijun followed Yun Zai into Jingren Palace. The interior decoration was not luxurious, but it was exquisite in every way.

She noticed several rare and exotic plants on the table and took a second look.

Consort Shu laughed and said, "It seems this thing is indeed rare; even Alchemist Liu couldn't help but take a few more glances at it."

Liu Sijun turned around and smiled, "Your Highness, I have been rude!"

Consort Shu smiled gently: "It's just taking a few more glances at something I like, how is that impolite? Please sit down, I feel a bit weak today, please take a look at me."

Liu Sijun sat down beside Consort Shu and gently placed his hand on her wrist: "Your Majesty's pulse is fine, but you are slightly short of blood and qi. This must be because you have been thinking too much today."

"I have just refined some pills to nourish the mind and blood. If Your Majesty takes them on time, you will recover soon."

Liu Sijun took out the pills, and another palace maid came forward to take them.

She placed the pulse pillow into her medicine box and said casually, "Just now outside the palace gate, I saw Consort Jing leaving. Your Highness and Consort Jing seem to have a deep relationship."

Consort Shu was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Yes, it's good for the sisters in the palace to visit each other on weekdays to relieve boredom."

Liu Sijun keenly noticed the momentary daze that Consort Shu had, which deepened his suspicions.

She maintained her gentle smile and said, "Life in the palace can be monotonous, but having sisters to chat with can add a lot of fun. However, the situation in the palace has been complicated lately, so Your Highness must be extra careful in your interactions with the other palaces."

Consort Shu sighed softly: "Yes. Now that the Crown Prince is under house arrest, the atmosphere in the palace has become oppressive, and everyone is just trying to comfort each other."

(End of this chapter)