I changed the world.

At No. 53 Fuchun Street, Jiangning District, Songjiang City, stands a simple-looking 9-story office building. This unassuming independent building is the headquarters of the Special Crime Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice in the southeastern part of the empire.

As the eyes of the empire in the darkness, the Special Crime Investigation Bureau always maintains a considerable number of personnel on duty, even in the early hours of the morning.

"Hello, this is the Special Crime Investigation Bureau. How can I help you?"

"Songjiang Meteorological Bureau? Oh...oh...okay, okay, please pass it on..."

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Chapter 201 Heart-stirring

About two weeks ago, the last five offices on the top floor of the Southeast Division of the Special Crime Investigation Bureau, which had originally been used as a warehouse, were cleared out and used as the office space for a newly established temporary department – ​​“Department Four”.

This mysterious department is shrouded in mystery, even within the Special Crime Investigation Bureau. Apart from its own staff, most people have no idea what they do all day long.

In office number 908, Gongyang Bingzheng sipped strong tea while rubbing his temples and flipping through the files on his desk. Because of his uncommon surname, he was often mistaken for a member of an ethnic minority by first-time acquaintances. In fact, his family's genealogy traced back to nobles during the Three Dynasties period, making him a pure descendant of the Xia people.

However, times have changed, and his family has long since fallen into decline, with few members remaining. Fortunately, his ancestor had made some contributions during Emperor Huanzong's northern expedition and was admitted to the Black-Clad Guard based on his military achievements. In his generation, with the help of his elders, he was admitted to the Special Crime Investigation Bureau.

Not long ago, he was transferred to this newly established Fourth Division and was promoted one level in administrative rank, which greatly encouraged him and inspired him to make a difference.

However, as he learned about many secrets he had never encountered before, he began to realize that this new department was not as simple as he had previously thought.

He rubbed his temples, these files had been keeping him up at night lately. If he didn't know the Bureau of Investigation didn't joke around, he would have thought it was some kind of background story created by a game company...

The phone rang nearby, and Gongyang Bing quickly picked up the receiver, holding it between his cheek and shoulder: "Hello?"

"Hmm...right...Category 4 incidents? Okay, please send it over immediately..."

After hanging up the phone, Gongyang Bing picked up the laptop next to him, clicked the mouse, and began to browse...

A moment later, Gongyang Bing, his expression now unusually serious, quickly picked up the receiver on the table and dialed a series of numbers...

***

The group of Taoist priests outside the mourning hall recited the "Western Ascension Sutra" nine times in a row before stopping, led by Li Jingxin.

The pale light that had been emanating from the mourning hall had faded, and everything seemed to have returned to normal.

Amidst the expectant gazes of his disciples, Li Jingxin stepped forward and softly called out:

"Respectfully..." He clasped his hands together in front of his abdomen from bottom to top, then bowed deeply towards the mourning hall. The disciples beside him quickly followed suit, all bowing deeply as well.

After bowing, he removed his left hand from his right and placed it over his heart, then bent down and knelt on both knees. Immediately afterwards, he removed his left hand from his heart and placed it on the back of his right hand, forming a cross shape. He prostrated himself, his head resting on the back of his hands, his expression solemn and dignified.

Raise your head, retract your left hand, slowly stand up, retract your right hand, clasp your hands together again, bow high, then bow a second time, followed by a third time.

After kowtowing three times, Li Jingxin stood up again, clasped his hands together in front of his abdomen, and then bowed deeply.

After that, Li Jingxin did not stop, but repeated the previous actions, while proclaiming:

"Second bow..." Then, a bow, three kowtows, and another bow.

In the etiquette of Taoism, a bow and a kowtow are called "one ritual". A bow, three kowtows and a bow again are called "one ritual and three kowtows". Three consecutive bows are called "three rituals and nine kowtows".

In ordinary worship, one can bow once, kowtow three times, and then bow again. Only on major occasions, such as the birthdays of ancestral masters, will one perform the three bows and nine kowtows.

However, at this moment, no one felt it was out of place. They all solemnly followed Supervisor Li in bowing. Even the medical staff standing to the side, some of whom were believers in the Xuanmen sect, also bowed, while others who did not usually believe in the sect followed suit, imitating him. Although their movements were often flawed and not standard, they all wore serious expressions with a hint of fear.

As members of the Dazhao people who grew up immersed in Eastern culture, they had all received basic exposure to modern ideas. In particular, several medical staff members of Yongjitang had all received formal education. Regardless of whether they truly had faith, deep down they did not believe that one day, the stories that only existed in myths and legends would actually appear before them in a vivid form.

However, as it turned out, when all of this truly appeared before them in an irresistible manner, their worldview was overturned.

At this moment, certain cultural genes hidden deep within their understanding completely occupied their minds, and no one would question the judgment of Supervisor Li, this "professional authority."

"The Three Rites..."

Having completed all the formalities, and amidst everyone's expectant gazes, Li Jingxin straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and reached for the doorknob. With a click, the door, which had previously been impossible to open, was easily opened.

"Master, your disciple Li Jingxin requests an audience." Li Jingxin did not immediately enter the room, but stood at the doorway, bowed again, and then announced.

After a long while, no one responded. Li Jingxin then carefully entered the room. He first carefully looked around and found that everything seemed to be the same as before. In the center of the mourning hall, his teacher Xiao Daoguang's body was lying on the medical bed, just as before, and seemed to have no change.

Li Jingxin carefully walked to the medical bedside and first reached out to check Xiao Daoguang's breathing. He found that the old master had really passed away and there was no sign of him coming back to life.

Just then, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Li Jingxin frowned and looked back, only to find that it was the director of Yongji Hall and others rushing over, panting.

Originally, Dean Yu had left the hospital after dealing with Elder Xiao's matter, but he hadn't gone far when he received a stammering message from the doctor on duty. So he hurriedly told the driver to turn around and drive back to the hospital.

This also gave him the opportunity to witness that breathtaking scene.

When he re-entered the hospital, he was even besieged by enthusiastic reporters and followers. Clearly, everyone wanted to know what had happened.

In fact, even Dean Yu was still completely bewildered. He glanced nervously at the scene in the mourning hall, and seeing nothing amiss, he asked Li Jingxin with a forced smile, "Dean Li, I've come to bother you again..."

Even Dean Yu himself didn't realize that his tone was completely different from when he left not long ago. Back then, although he was polite, it was nothing more than a matter of courtesy and politeness. But now, a mixture of curiosity, trepidation, and awe was palpable.

"May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings. Dean Yu, you are too kind. You are the host here, how could you possibly cause any disturbance?"

Upon hearing this, Dean Yu's smile grew even brighter. He then inquired whether the caregivers and others were properly cared for before finally asking, "Supervisor Li, just now, many medical staff saw strange lights emanating from the mourning hall. I wonder... if Supervisor Li knows the reason for this?"

"This matter... must have occurred when my late master passed away, and various phenomena manifested as such..."

"what……"

Although he was mentally prepared, Dean Yu still couldn't help but show surprise when he heard Li Jingxin, an authoritative figure, confirm it. He subconsciously glanced again at the medical bed where the body of Master Xiao was placed.

"Master Xiao is a man of high moral character and profound virtue, whose achievements are beyond compare. Such a divine figure is truly... truly something that we younger generations admire greatly..." Dean Yu's words at this moment were quite sincere.

Even their attitude towards Li Jingxin became increasingly respectful. After all, Yunxiao Mountain clearly possessed genuine talent and learning; otherwise, why would the royal family have bestowed an imperial edict of appointment upon Elder Xiao? Indeed, their own status was insufficient, and their knowledge limited…