Celestial Official!

Xuchunfang, inside Cuishulou.

Council Hall.

Upon learning of Senior Brother Yan's return, Yu Shunan immediately put aside her work and told him everything she had overheard that morning.

In addition, Yu Shunan also reported some necessary matters.

"Brother Yan, in another half month, it will be the end of the year. According to the annual custom of Xuchunfang, Cui Shu Lou will take the lead, and the three major clans will actually manage and arrange a 'ritual' to pray for a smooth year ahead, a good harvest and peace for the people."

"A ritual? Which family's turn is it this year?"

"Reporting to Senior Brother, last year it was the Huang family that organized it; this year, it should be the Zhao family."

"Zhao Jiayao..."

Yan Chen nodded slightly and said:

"I see."

After Yu Shunan took his leave.

Yan Chen then returned to the quiet room, lit two sticks of calming incense, and sat on the bed.

Recalling Junior Sister Yu's words, he thought to himself:

"Brother Li actually called Zhao Dengke his brother?"

"Given the current situation, can Senior Brother Li truly reconcile with the Zhao family and restore their former friendship?"

That's absolutely impossible.

Yan Chen shook his head.

Based on his understanding of Senior Brother Li, the other party was definitely not of such an "indecisive" nature.

Therefore, if what Junior Sister Yu said is true, then there must be another hidden story behind it.

"Zhao Dengke... Come to think of it, the Zhao and Huang families have indeed been too quiet these days."

"This doesn't seem like the reaction one would expect after suffering a major loss."

"Unless...they're plotting something big?"

"But the Zhao and Huang families are just ordinary people, so where does their confidence come from?"

"The Green Saint Sect?"

Yan Chen thought about it seriously and became increasingly convinced that this was possible.

Although he understood the cause and effect of Zhao Dengke's success that day, he did not know much about the secrets and secrets of the Zhao and Huang families due to the other party's status and perspective.

Therefore, our understanding of the surnames Zhao and Huang remains superficial.

"It would be good for me to see what you're really up to."

Thinking of this, Yan Chen respectfully inquired in his heart:

"Imperial Official, please inquire within three days regarding the karmic movements of Zhao Qingyun, the head of the Zhao family, and Huang Zaiyuan, the head of the Huang family."

[Targets of the investigation: Zhao Qingyun, Huang Zaiyuan.]

[Time required: One hour.]

……

……

Outside Xuchunfang, the Zhao family residence.

A servant dressed in coarse linen clothes and wearing a plain cloth cap was carrying a basket of feathered arrows and panting as he stepped over the jade steps into the courtyard.

At that moment, a tall servant rushed out of the courtyard. Upon seeing him, he hurriedly stepped forward and snatched the quiver containing dozens of arrows.

He then said urgently:

"Quickly gather the men and collect all the arrows scattered on the back mountain. The young master and that Young Master Li are having a great time; we servants must not let our masters cause any trouble!"

"We've been entertaining him for most of the day... How come I never noticed before that our young master could be so... uh, so courteous and respectful?"

"Stupid! Is that how you use idioms?"

The servant of the tall family glared at the other man, then, seeing that no one was around, whispered:

"I have been in the Zhao family for ten years, and I know most of the young master's friends and acquaintances, but I have never seen this young master Li before."

"Young Master Li... could it be the 'Li' from the Li family? Weren't our two families always at odds? How come they're acting like family now?"

"Your mouth! It'll get you into trouble sooner or later!"

"Oh, come on, come on. These are all the master's business. What does it have to do with us servants?"

"Get out of here!"

Gao Da's servant, carrying an arrow basket, hurried along the gravel path towards the shooting range in the backyard.

Snapped!

call out--

With a thunderous thud and a trembling hum, an arrow suddenly flew out, swiftly streaking across the distant mountains and forests to the target.

"color!"

Zhao Dengke clapped his hands and laughed, casually waving away the servant from Gao Da's household who was about to receive the arrow. Looking towards Li Xuanyi, he praised:

"Since joining the Jade Sleeve Sect, we ordinary disciples have rarely had the opportunity to practice archery. I thought that Senior Brother Li's skills would inevitably decline like mine, but what I see today is that they are still so superb! I admire you greatly!"

"Junior Brother Zhao is too kind."

Li Xuanyi shook his head, a strange glint flashing in his eyes, and then said:

"That's about it for today. I still have important matters to attend to at Cui Shu Lou, so I won't linger any longer."

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Dengke's eyes dimmed slightly.

He quickly stepped forward and lightly grabbed the back of Li Xuanyi's head.

He said:

"Senior Brother Li, let me see you off."

Li Xuanyi initially intended to refuse.

But when the words were about to come out, for some reason, I said "okay" instead.

It was as if he had come to believe from the bottom of his heart that he and Zhao Dengke were as close as brothers, so there was no need for formalities or defensiveness.

The guests and hosts had a great time, so what is there to be wary of?

If that were the case, wouldn't it make me seem narrow-minded?

……

Outside the Zhao family's gate, Li Xuanyi's figure grew increasingly blurry as they watched him go.

Zhao Dengke went back to the backyard alone, chose a quiet room, and went inside.

Upon entering this place, the temperature suddenly dropped a few degrees. On the altar, there were more than ten memorial tablets, and on the side table below, offerings were laid out. Incense burned in a purple censer, its smoke rising in a misty haze.

Above the many memorial tablets, there is an object covered with a wide red silk cloth. Judging from its outline, it should be a kind of alchemy furnace or medicine cauldron.

"Furnace..."

Thinking of this, Zhao Dengke's expression darkened slightly, and he subconsciously sighed.

"What's wrong? Judging from your behavior, you seem to feel very guilty?"

A majestic voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Zhao Dengke trembled, quickly turned around, and bowed deeply.

"Father, I have no [children]."

"No?"

Zhao Qingyun glanced at him with lowered eyes, first sneering, then changing the subject and speaking slowly:

"Dengke, you are the eldest son of the Zhao family. Although you have already joined the Jade Sleeve Cult, one day in the future, we will still need you to take over the family's power. Do you know what this means?"

Zhao Dengke lowered his head and said:

"By holding the power of this lineage, may my Zhao family become a prominent clan in a hundred years!"

"Exactly!"

Zhao Qingyun laughed heartily, then, as if remembering something, he snorted coldly and said:

"We must be very careful in this operation. Although we have some magic taught by that scoundrel Zeng Deyan, we must not let that Li fellow discover it."

"This matter must not be known to anyone else!"

"The rise and fall of my Zhao family for the next hundred years rests entirely on your shoulders!"

"I will do my utmost!"

Zhao Dengke nodded emphatically, his gaze unconsciously drifting to the mysterious object wrapped in red silk above the memorial tablet.

……

……

Xuchunfang, Cuishulou.

Inside the quiet room, on the bed.

Yan Chen suddenly opened his eyes, and the golden light in his eyes instantly turned into a pool of water, flowing and washing away everything in front of him. After drying, lines of tadpole-like characters appeared.

This is the causal information between Zhao Qingyun and Huang Zaiyuan.

Yan Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression initially remaining relatively composed.

However, as he looked at it, his brows would unconsciously furrow, sometimes relaxing again, and then tightening up again after a moment.

Fifteen minutes later.

Yan Chen slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, raised his sleeve to disperse the causal information, and his vision returned to clarity.

Once the thought process is complete, select a few key pieces of information.

"The art of bewitching, the method of possession, the altar elder with three levels of Qi refinement, the Houtu Chengguang Cauldron, and more..."

"Wait!"

"Isn't Houtu... the same as Yin Earth?"