A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 526 Dead Tree Blossoms
Shen Mizhi had only hoped that Duan Rong could give her some pointers on her sword techniques, but Duan Rong unexpectedly pointed out the flaws in her cultivation.

In truth, Duan Rong's actions were unintentional. His perspective had changed, allowing him to immediately grasp the core essence of Shen Mizhi's cultivation, unlike in the past when he would meddle in minor details.

Shen Mizhi had gained a lot. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Duan Rong and said, "A word from a teacher!"

Duan Rong smiled slightly and then prepared to leave.

He had just turned to leave when his eyes suddenly widened in surprise. He remembered something: Zhu Xiaoqi was still at Shenyun Mansion. It had been over two months. That little girl, left all alone at Shenyun Mansion, was probably berating him every day.
Now that Xiao Yu has been rescued from the tower forest, it's time to bring her into the sect to reunite with Xiao Yu.

After thinking it over, Duan Rong suddenly turned around, looked at Shen Mizhi, and said with a smile, "I have something to do, and I may have to trouble Miss Shen to make a trip to Shenyun Mansion."

"Please give your orders, my lord!" Shen Mizhi clasped her hands in a fist salute, then suddenly said with a cold look in her eyes, "My lord, do not forget that Shen Mizhi's life already belongs to you."

Duan Rong smiled slightly and said, "It has nothing to do with life or death! It's just a small matter. Would you please trouble Miss Shen to go to Shenyun Mansion to fetch someone into the sect?"

"Picking someone up?" Shen Mizhi's eyes flickered, and she asked, "Picking up who?"

"Zhu Xiaoqi!" Duan Rong said with a smile.

Duan Rong then went to Yunfu Peak, personally wrote a letter, affixed the official seal of the Inner History Department, and sealed it with the Inner History Department's official letterhead and sealing wax. He then gave it to Shen Mizhi to deliver to Zhu Zhengfu.

Zhu Xiaoqi lived in Zhu Zhengfu's villa. Before letting Shen Mizhi take Zhu Xiaoqi away, she had to inform Zhu Zhengfu first.

Shen Mizhi received Duan Rong's letter, took her own sect's cloud certificate, and headed to Shenyun Mansion.

Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan were busy building the courtyard on the mountain and couldn't leave for the time being. If they sent someone else, Zhu Xiaoqi wouldn't know them, so they had to ask Shen Mizhi to make the trip.

After Shen Mizhi left, Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan became even busier.

Ximen Kankan led a group of people to work on the construction of that underground canal.

Xiao Yuze and the historians began to supervise everyone as they lowered the large pillars in the appropriate locations. This step was extremely crucial, equivalent to laying the foundation.

Although Duan Rong had become a hands-off manager, focusing only on his own cultivation, he would still come to this mountain every few days to check on Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan, which could be considered as a way of comforting them.

On this day, on Wuliang Cliff.

Yang Sixuan was standing in the pavilion at the top of the cliff, looking at the churning clouds in the valley, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

In the past few days, the people from the Judgment and Clan Affairs Division have conducted a thorough search of Wuliang Cliff.

Yang Sixuan's first characteristic in handling cases is his down-to-earth approach.

This is also the most important thing he taught Yang Yi.

The most important thing in solving cases is patience and diligence; there's no need for brilliant deductions. Thorough searches and meticulous investigations are the foundation of everything.

Patience and diligence are essential for solving cases—this is Yang Sixuan's principle, and also his style of work that he has upheld for many years in the Court of Judicial Review!
After a thorough search and investigation, the information has been basically gathered. Yang Sixuan is now looking at the churning clouds and pondering the scattered and seemingly unrelated information...

These chaotic pieces of information are like the churning clouds before him; he wants to see through them to what lies behind them.

Although he didn't always succeed, many times he did it this way, seeing a little bit here and there, eventually piecing together a vague outline...

As Yang Sixuan was deep in thought, a figure walked over from the other side of the cliff.

The visitor was Yang Yi.

Yang Sixuan and Yang Yi had a division of labor: Yang Sixuan was in charge of the investigation at Wuliang Cliff, while Yang Yi was in charge of the investigation at Jingchou.

Yang Yi had already reported the preliminary results of the investigation in Jingchou to him once.

These past two days, Yang Yi has led his men to conduct a more in-depth investigation. He must have discovered something when he came to see him again.

"Commander!" Yang Yi stood outside the pavilion, cupping his fists and speaking in a deep voice.

Yang Sixuan stood there, still gazing at the clouds and mist in the valley, her back to Yang Yi outside the pavilion. She didn't turn around, but simply said, "What did you find out? Speak!"

"Yes!" Yang Yi said, "Before he died, besides visiting Xiao Qiwu at Wuliang Cliff, Jing Chou also went to see someone else!"

"You've seen someone else?!" Yang Sixuan turned around abruptly upon hearing this.

Based on his calculations, Jing Chou was clearly a key figure in the Xiao Qiwu case. Those whom Jing Chou met before his death were also extremely important, and might even be the key to solving the case.

"Who else did he meet?" Yang Sixuan asked, standing in the pavilion and staring at Yang Yi.

Yang Yi said, "The poisonous old woman from the Purple Bamboo Grove."

"Granny Zhen?!" Yang Sixuan's eyes flashed with surprise and doubt. "You mean Shentu Ying? He went to see Shentu Ying?"

“Exactly!” Yang Yi replied confidently.

Shen Tu Ying was also a powerful expert at the Cave-Nether Realm within the Taiyi Sect, a reclusive elder of the sect.

She possessed the unique skill of making dead trees bloom with flowers; both the vines and petals contained potent poison, hence the nickname "Poison Granny." As for her original name, many people have probably forgotten it.

However, Yang Sixuan had been in charge of the Judgment Division for many years, and he had carefully studied the resumes of all the experts in the Cave-Nether Realm within the sect. Moreover, this "Poison Granny" who lived in seclusion in the Purple Bamboo Forest had quite a background and left a deep impression on Yang Sixuan. Naturally, he remembered her name—Shentu Ying.

Yang Sixuan's eyes flickered as he looked at Yang Yi and asked, "When did Jing Chou go to see Shen Tu Ying?"

Yang Yi said, "Jing Chou first met Xiao Qiwu, then went to see Shen Tu Ying the next day, and hanged himself in his room on the night of the third day."

A deep, cold glint flashed in Yang Sixuan's eyes.

"Xiao Qiwu? Shentu Ying?"

Although these two are a man and a woman, they are basically in seclusion, and it seems that their cultivation has stagnated and they are trapped in a shackle!
Yang Sixuan believes this is no coincidence!

"Has Shen Tu Ying made any unusual moves these past few days?" Yang Sixuan suddenly asked.

Yang Yi said, "According to reports from scouts near the Purple Bamboo Forest, Granny Zhen has been inside the Purple Bamboo Forest these past few days and doesn't seem to have gone out. However, Granny Zhen is a powerful expert at the Cave-Nether Realm, so even if she makes a move, those scouts probably wouldn't be able to find out. Therefore, this information can only be used as a reference."

Yang Sixuan nodded and said, "You may go now. Continue digging deeper in Jingchou."

"Yes!" Yang Yi clasped his hands in response and turned to leave.

After Yang Yi left, Yang Sixuan stood in the pavilion for a long time without moving.

The mountain peaks atop the cliff blew against his sleeves and temples, his brows furrowed, and he suddenly sighed softly.

The case suddenly took an unexpected turn, dragging Granny Zhen from the Purple Bamboo Grove into it, which really put him in a difficult position. If it were anyone else, it wouldn't be a problem, but Granny Zhen was known for being a troublesome person.

Moreover, almost no one in the sect dared to provoke her.

It's not that she was particularly powerful, but it's said that she was a great beauty in her youth. More importantly, she had a complicated love affair with the current sect patriarch, Lü Yinlin. It's said she served Lü Yinlin for several years, and when they separated, the "Poisonous Granny," who was actually Shen Tu Ying back then, caused a scene in the sect's elders' council. This incident reportedly caused the patriarch a great loss of face.

Such a ruthless character, and with the patriarch behind her, who would dare to provoke her if nothing was amiss?
However, Yang Sixuan was certain that Jing Chou would not have gone to see Shen Tu Ying for no reason. Moreover, this man had first met Xiao Qiwu, then met Shen Tu Ying the next day, and then hanged himself!

There must be more to this than meets the eye!

"Even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, I have no choice but to go through this Purple Bamboo Forest!"

Yang Sixuan suddenly transformed into a streak of black light, shooting into the sky and heading towards the depths of the endless mountains. Like a meteorite, he roared through the sky, then suddenly drew an arc and landed in a secluded mountain valley.

It was a shady mountain hollow, filled with dense bamboo groves.

However, this bamboo forest is perpetually shrouded in miasma, giving it a faint purple hue, hence the name Purple Bamboo Forest.

Shen Tu Ying's amazing skill of making withered trees bloom contains a deadly poison, and she has lived in this bamboo forest filled with miasma for many years, which is why she has earned the nickname "Poison Granny".

Yang Sixuan was already a powerful expert in the Cave of Enlightenment Realm, so he was naturally not afraid of the miasma in the bamboo forest.

His eyes flickered, and he slowly stepped into the bamboo forest filled with miasma.

Yang Sixuan did not use his divine sense to investigate. After all, Granny Zhen was a woman, and if he rashly used his divine sense to investigate, he would inevitably be suspected of spying.

Yang Sixuan walked for a while in the bamboo forest filled with miasma. Suddenly, two green snakes, each as thick as a finger, shot towards him from the miasma. His eyes flashed, and with a ripple in space, the two green snakes turned into dust.

"Who dares trespass into my Purple Bamboo Grove!?"

Suddenly, a soft shout rang out, and a green shadow flew out of the bamboo forest and stood not far away.

Yang Sixuan stared intently and saw a woman with skin as white as snow, delicate eyebrows, and a fine nose. The woman wore a light blue dress and looked at Yang Sixuan with an unfriendly expression.

The woman recognized Yang Sixuan, whose waist was shrouded in miasma. She frowned and exclaimed, "Is that Chief Yang?!"

When Yang Sixuan saw that the woman recognized him, he smiled faintly and said, "You must be Su Xinjue?"

Yang Sixuan knew that Shen Tu Ying had taken on a female disciple a few years ago, who was said to be quite talented, named Su Xinjue. Judging from the woman's agility as she emerged from the bamboo forest, Yang Sixuan had already guessed her identity.

Su Xinjue respectfully clasped his hands and said, "This disciple is indeed Su Xinjue. May I ask what brings Commander Yang to my Purple Bamboo Grove?"

Yang Sixuan smiled and said, "I would like to see your master. Please inform him."

Su Xinjue's eyes flickered, and she said, "Director Yang, please wait a moment."

After she finished speaking, she flashed out of the bamboo forest in a flash and disappeared from sight.

Not long after, a bluish figure flashed out from not far away on the stone path; it was Su Xinjue, who had returned.

Su Xinjue said, "Chief Yang, please come this way!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Sixuan slowly stepped forward.

Just then, Su Xinjue suddenly pouted her tender lips and made a series of hissing sounds.

As the sound rang out, Yang Sixuan suddenly saw many green shadows wriggling on the green bamboo on both sides of the stone path not far away, heading into the depths of the bamboo forest.

They were actually green snakes, but their color blended seamlessly with the bamboo leaves and branches, making them difficult to spot with the naked eye. Moreover, these snakes were unaffected by miasma, clearly indicating that they were highly venomous.

After the green snake retreated, Su Xinjue led Yang Sixuan along the stone path into the depths of the bamboo forest, where miasma filled the air.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two arrived at a bamboo house.

Su Xinjue gestured towards the curtained doorway and said, "Yang Sixuan, please come in. Your master is inside."

Yang Sixuan nodded, walked over, lifted the hanging curtain, and slipped into the bamboo house.

Seeing Yang Sixuan enter the bamboo house, Su Xinjue walked a little further away, stopping near the flowerbed. She couldn't eavesdrop on whatever Yang Sixuan was talking about with her master. Walking away like this was to avoid suspicion.

Not far from the bamboo house, there was a flower garden with some flowers and plants. Su Xinjue picked some flowers there, intending to put them in a vase and place them at her master's place later.

She picked several different colors of flowers, arranged them nicely, and put them in the vase.

Just then, a furious female voice rang out from inside the bamboo house. "Whom I want to see and who I don't want to see is none of your business!"

"Senior Shentu, I, Yang, had no intention of offending you..."

Although Yang Sixuan's seniority and qualifications were not as high as Shen Tu Ying's, both of them were cultivators at the Cave-Ming Realm. Yang Sixuan calling her "senior" was already a sign of great respect.

But Shentu Ying clearly didn't appreciate it at all!

"roll!"

With Shen Tu Ying's furious shout, Yang Sixuan was sent flying backward. The bamboo curtain hanging at the entrance of the bamboo house instantly turned to dust. Before he even landed, several vines suddenly sprouted from the bluestone ground. The vines, a bluish-purple color, grew rapidly in the wind, and large clusters of flowers fell from them. In less than a breath, the area at the entrance of the bamboo house was covered with fallen petals...

Yang Sixuan knew that the vines and petals were highly poisonous, so he instantly retreated, leaping several feet away!
"Xinjue! See the guest out!" A cold voice drifted out from inside the bamboo house.

Su Xinjue approached Yang Sixuan, her eyebrows furrowed, and said coldly, "Chief Yang, please!"

Regardless of what Yang Sixuan said, he had clearly angered his master. His master was already short-tempered and often scolded and beat him. With Yang Sixuan's interference, her job became even more difficult, so she naturally had no good feelings towards him.

Yang Sixuan had no choice but to turn away with a livid face.

Seeing is believing! He never expected Shen Tu Ying to be so arrogant and rude!

However, since this woman had some connection with the ancestor, he couldn't push her too far. Otherwise, although her skill of turning withered wood into flowers was somewhat miraculous, it would probably be difficult for Yang Sixuan to gain any advantage.

That morning, Duan Rong arrived at Shang Xiangyu's mountain again. Only a few days had passed, and the framework of the courtyard building had already been erected. Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan were both extremely busy, and when Duan Rong arrived, the two of them didn't have time to pay attention to him.

Xiao Yu greeted Duan Rong briefly, gave him some fruit, and then went to attend to her own business.

Duan Rong was eating fruit and wandering around when he suddenly saw a figure walking from the edge of the dense forest in the distance.

Duan Rong's eyes flickered; the newcomer was Yang Yi.

Yang Yi spotted Duan Rong from afar. As he approached, his gaze swept over the courtyard, which was already taking shape. He clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "Brother Duan, I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've actually started a major construction project here!"

Duan Rong laughed and said, "What do you mean by 'grand construction'? Even a dog needs a kennel, right?!"

As Duan Rong spoke, he picked up a particularly fine fruit and handed it to Yang Yi.

Yang Yi took it, wiped it on his lapel, took a bite, and laughed, "Mmm, sweet!"

Duan Rong looked at Yang Yi and laughed, "Brother Yang, I think you wouldn't come here without a reason, would you? Speak up if you have something to say."

Yang Yi chuckled and said, "Brother Duan, you really know me. You can tell what I'm going to do the moment I turn my backside. So, regarding the Xiao Qiwu case, we need to ask Brother Duan to go to the Court of Judicial Review to record a formal statement."

Duan Rong said, "What? Has Chief Yang finally remembered me? I thought he had forgotten me."

Duan Rong remembered that when he left Wuliang Cliff that day, Yang Sixuan said that he would interrogate him again about this matter. However, more than ten days have passed and there has been no news. Duan Rong was still wondering about it.

Yang Yi said, "How could I forget? It's just that Brother Duan's current status is special, and our Judicial and Clan Affairs Division doesn't dare to interrogate you casually. We have to do some work to get you to come over. Otherwise, wouldn't going back and forth like this just disturb you?"

Duan Rong observed Yang Yi's expression, but Yang Yi's indifferent smile offered no insight. He was confident that he had handled the Xiao Qiwu case cleanly; even if Yang Sixuan did find something, there would be no evidence to definitively convict him.

At least Xiao Qiwu's body has vanished into thin air, so who can determine whether he is alive or dead?

(End of this chapter)