Yin Yang Soul Searcher

Unfortunately, that wisp of remnant soul separated again shortly after entering the soul lamp. This indicates that the Onmyoji did not guide Bai Jueming, nor did he receive guidance from other Onmyoji.

"There's a high probability that he's an Onmyoji who was mentored by Beichen," the deputy hall master thought to himself.

With a wave of his hand, the soul lamps before him vanished. The wisp of remnant soul returned to the Grand Preceptor's hand, and with a gentle rubbing of his hands, it completely turned to ashes.

After a moment of silence, the Imperial Advisor sighed and said in a somewhat hoarse voice, "It has nothing to do with our Great Xia."

The outcome was as expected. The Vice Hall Master said gravely, "Grand Preceptor, are these all Onmyoji from Beichen? There couldn't possibly be so many independent Onmyoji in this world!"

Silence fell over the room. After a moment, the Imperial Advisor said in a hoarse voice, "Yes, where do so many rogue Onmyoji come from in this world?" He then murmured softly, "What is their purpose?"

The deputy hall master sighed inwardly. Even though the Imperial Advisor was second only to the emperor in the Great Xia Dynasty, how could he possibly know about the affairs of Beichen?

"When the Imperial Advisor went to capture the auspicious beast, it was the Onmyoji from Beichen and the demon race who launched the sneak attack. It's highly likely that they sent the Onmyoji. Isn't their goal to cause us trouble?" The Vice Hall Master stated his guess.

The Imperial Advisor remained noncommittal for a moment before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Investigate these two matters as best you can. It doesn't matter if you can't find anything. I will give His Majesty an explanation."

After saying that, the Imperial Advisor pulled a piece of white paper from his sleeve: "Go to the Craftsmen's Hall and give this letter to Qiao Shou."

The deputy hall master waved his hand lightly, and the paper floated automatically in front of him without any wind.

The deputy hall master stared blankly at the blank sheet of paper before him, utterly perplexed. Why did the Imperial Preceptor seem so unconcerned about this matter? Or did he already know something? And why was he saying nothing?

The deputy hall master took the floating piece of white paper and finally couldn't help but ask, "Could those Onmyoji be related to the Craftsmen's Hall?"

"I don't know either." The Imperial Advisor shook his head slightly, indicating that he could leave.

The deputy hall master turned around with some disappointment, when suddenly the Grand Preceptor's voice came from behind him: "Since you already have some guesses about who the mastermind is, why don't you put yourselves in their shoes and guess what the mastermind's purpose is in doing this?"

After the deputy hall master left, the imperial advisor extended his palm, and that wisp of remnant soul reappeared in his hand. Then, the soul lamps reappeared before him, their flames flickering.

The Imperial Advisor looked at the last lamp, a soul lamp with a flame the size of a sesame seed, and smiled slightly.

Then, the Imperial Advisor frowned, sensing the wisp of remnant soul in his hand, and muttered, "Wasn't he dead? Why does he resemble this wisp of remnant soul so much?"

Having said that, the Imperial Advisor waved his hand forward, and a soul lamp the size of a fist slowly floated in front of him. That was his soul lamp.

Then, he once again channeled that wisp of remnant soul into his soul lamp...

Eighth floor

Bai Jueming and the other hall masters were still whispering about the South City bombing and the Four Seasons Master case.

Luo Wuju had already left the Yin-Yang Palace. The only clues he had were about the formation, and he had said everything he could. He was going to repair the formation, cursing as he left.

The deputy hall master entered the room, deep in thought, his mind still preoccupied with the Grand Preceptor's words. The murmurs within the room subsided as everyone awaited the deputy hall master's verdict.

Bai Jueming stared intently at the deputy hall master, wondering if the Yin-Yang Master at the South Gate and the Yin-Yang Master who had guided him were the same person!

After the deputy hall master sat in the main seat, his eyes slowly swept over everyone in the room, and he announced, "They are not our people!" Then he looked at Bai Jueming and shook his head.

Bai Jueming sighed in disappointment. He knew it wouldn't be that simple! The Onmyoji behind him had been hiding for so many years, and his strength was so formidable. How could he possibly be exposed so easily?

The hall masters all breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately realized how troublesome the matter was.

Li Zhengshan frowned and said, "If they're not our people, then they must be from Beichen. What exactly are Beichen's people up to?"

If there are no independent Onmyoji in this world, then they are indeed the Onmyoji of Beichen. But are there really no independent Onmyoji in this world? Bai Jueming remained skeptical.

The deputy hall master recalled what the imperial advisor had just said, and he felt that the imperial advisor definitely knew something, but was unwilling to say more. The deputy hall master looked at the monster skull on the table and gave a bitter smile.

"Let's investigate this matter slowly. The Imperial Advisor said it's alright if we can't find out. He will give His Majesty an explanation." After saying this, the Vice Hall Master leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply. How could he possibly guess the mastermind's motives?

The people in the room looked at each other in bewilderment. They had just finished investigating the Onmyoji, and they had already given up the investigation?

Bai Jueming stroked his chin, a suspicion forming in his mind. Could it be that the Imperial Advisor already knew who did it?

"Why is that?" Haifeng, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up. "Should we just let this go after such a big incident? Doesn't the Imperial Advisor want to catch the mastermind behind it all?"

The deputy hall master swept his gaze coldly over Hai Feng, his tone utterly impolite: "General Hai, it's none of your business how the Imperial Advisor acts."

"Since General Hai has provided all the clues, please leave. If you require further cooperation, the Yin-Yang Palace will contact you again." The Vice Palace Master gave him a blunt dismissal.

Hai Feng, realizing his mistake, sighed deeply, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and withdrew from the main hall. Ultimately, the investigation was the responsibility of the Yin-Yang Hall; he had merely provided clues as a party involved. Even if they didn't tell him who the mastermind was, there was nothing he could do. He had already neglected his duty; he would quietly await his punishment.

After Haifeng left, the soldiers' bodies were carried away by two minor officials. Only the Yin-Yang Palace personnel remained in the room.

The deputy hall master glanced at everyone in the room and said in a calm and unhurried voice, "The Grand Preceptor said something to me. He said, 'Since you all have some guesses about who the mastermind is, why don't you put yourselves in his shoes and guess what his purpose is in doing this?'"

Does the Imperial Advisor know who the mastermind is? Bai Jueming was terrified. The Imperial Advisor definitely knows, but why doesn't he just say it directly instead of making us guess?

Hu Jinggu thought for a moment and said, "Our guesses about the mastermind are nothing more than the demon race, the Four Seasons Master, and the Beichen Yin-Yang Master."

Bai Jueming added, "There is also a formation master whose power is unknown."

"You can go down and speculate about these things. If you have any important clues, you can report them directly to me." The deputy hall master rubbed his temples, looking somewhat weary.

He still had to deliver a message to the Craftsmen's Hall. He couldn't understand why he had to make the trip himself when anyone could do such a simple task...

"By the way, tell those weak Onmyoji to be careful; there have been quite a few enemies appearing in the capital lately."

"Yes." The hall masters acknowledged the order and withdrew.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, towering mahogany pillars stand like solemn guardians, supporting this magnificent hall that symbolizes the pinnacle of imperial power.

Emperor Taikang wore a crown and a bright yellow dragon robe, the scales of which shimmered with a light that was too dazzling to look directly at. He sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression calm and serene.

He surveyed the civil and military officials in their court robes below the hall: "Since none of you have any objections, then it is settled that Vice Minister Yu of the Ministry of Works will be promoted to Minister of Works."

After heated discussions among the ministers and behind-the-scenes maneuvering among various factions, the policy of promoting Yu Haochu to Minister of Works was finally determined at the morning court session.

Some officials in the court were happy, while others were worried.

"There is one more thing. The Crown Prince, with a large army, will be escorting the carcass of the auspicious beast to the capital in seven days."

Emperor Taikang calmly swept his gaze across the assembled ministers: "The Crown Prince is cautious by nature. He has heard that things have been rather unsettled in the capital lately. He has earnestly requested that I send someone to the outskirts of the capital to provide support, hoping that nothing goes wrong at the last minute."

"The Crown Prince is meticulous and mature in his work; he is truly a blessing to Your Majesty." A shameless courtier, holding an ivory tablet, stepped forward and patted Emperor Taikang's horse.

"The Crown Prince has lived up to everyone's expectations by transporting the auspicious beast back to the capital; his merit is truly commendable..." We civil officials can just offer a few words of flattery; after all, this matter has nothing to do with us.

The emperor glanced at the court officials with a blank expression. They were certainly good at flattering, but there wasn't even one person willing to take the job.

The reasoning is simple: the emperor is in his prime, and it's not appropriate for his ministers to get too close to the crown prince. Besides, if anything goes wrong in this matter, they will be punished.

If everything goes smoothly, he will be labeled as a member of the princeling faction, which will be detrimental to his future ability to maneuver and shift positions in the court.

At this moment, a handsome young man dressed in military officer's robes, with a resolute face, stepped forward, holding a scepter: "Your subject is willing to lead troops there." His voice was powerful and his demeanor extraordinary.

The ministers behind him whispered among themselves, praising him in hushed tones: "The Third Prince is truly remarkable, well done!"

"Yes, we didn't lose face..."

This man was none other than Emperor Taikang's third son, the Third Prince Jiang Yansu, who had recently returned to the capital. He was currently unemployed and could conveniently go and meet up with his elder brother.

Emperor Taikang smiled; it was truly a great fortune that his brothers were on good terms. He asked, "Yan Su, how strong are you now?"

"Replying to Father Emperor," the Third Prince said with a straight posture and a slight smile on his handsome face, "I have gained a lot from my experience over the years and have been promoted from the fifth rank when I left the capital to the fourth rank. I will certainly live up to Father Emperor's expectations in entrusting this matter to me."

Emperor Taikang nodded with great satisfaction. The Third Prince was the most talented in cultivation among his many sons, and he was also diligent and eager to learn. At his age, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were far inferior to him in strength.

This led Emperor Taikang to often remark that this son was the one most like him—quick-witted, studious, and highly gifted...

"It's kind of you to have this intention, so I'll leave this matter to you. Go and select a few highly skilled martial artists from the army to assist you."

The Third Prince nodded respectfully.

"Do any of you ministers have any objections?" the emperor asked routinely.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"I second that opinion"...

Next, Emperor Taikang and his ministers discussed several important national affairs before announcing the end of the court session.

After he finished speaking, all the civil and military officials in the Golden Palace knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Several court officials gathered around Yu Haochu and congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations, Lord Yu, on your promotion to the position of Minister."

Some courtiers who disliked Yu Haochu cursed their bad luck and strode out of the Golden Palace with a flick of their sleeves.

Several court officials also gathered around the Third Prince, offering words of comfort and congratulating him on his progress in cultivation...

Yu Haochu, with a thin face and a goatee, greeted his colleagues with a smile and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect. He concluded by mentioning that he had prepared a small feast at home to thank his colleagues for their hospitality.

This is a legitimate opportunity to receive gifts...