Yin Yang Soul Searcher

Tang Weiwei stopped and looked at the plaque above the door: "Zhengshan Hall".

The clerk was sent in to report, and he looked very troubled. However, he wasn't trying to make things difficult for the girl; rather, the head of the hall was not present, and he didn't know who to report to.

Tang Weiwei tilted her head and thought for a moment: "Then can you check if Bai Jueming is here? Just tell him that Tang Weiwei is looking for him."

If I remember correctly, that Onmyoji was from the Seizan-do.

"Tang Weiwei is looking for me?" Inside the room, Bai Jueming looked puzzled. After confirming with the clerk again, they left the room together. Only the two bodyguards remained in the room.

Why is this pretty girl suddenly looking for me? Well, she's just in time, I can take this opportunity to ask her what happened at the Craftsmen's Hall yesterday.

I feel like I still owe her a pastry, and I haven't had time to cook it for her myself. But she doesn't seem very bright, so she's probably forgotten about it.

Upon arriving at the door, I saw Tang Weiwei standing there gracefully, dressed in a blue dress, with pure, untainted eyes and snow-white skin. She was always eating pastries...

"Miss Tang, what brings you here?" Bai Jueming gave what he considered a very elegant smile.

"You've come." Tang Weiwei swallowed a bite of pastry.

No need to add duck!

Tang Weiwei got straight to the point: "My master asked me to report that our Craftsmen's Hall was ransacked last night."

Looting the Craftsmen's Hall? That thought reminded me that the mastermind behind luring the two disciples away was actually planning to loot the Craftsmen's Hall. But why couldn't Cheng Yanbing loot the Craftsmen's Hall? It couldn't be because he couldn't defeat a fourth-rank martial artist.

And why do you say this so casually? It's like it has nothing to do with you. Don't you have any sense of ownership?

"Miss Tang, why did you think of reporting to me? Our hall master isn't here; you could have reported to another hall master." Bai Jueming was somewhat puzzled. It wasn't that he didn't want to know about this, but rather that he felt he wasn't a hall master and his level wasn't high enough.

"I don't know any other branches," Tang Weiwei said matter-of-factly. "You're an Yin-Yang Master from the Yin-Yang Hall, so it should be the same for you."

Okay... Bai Jueming accepted this reason, which fits her character perfectly.

Then Bai Jueming looked serious and said, "Miss Tang, please tell me in detail what exactly happened in the Craftsmen's Hall last night."

"I didn't see what happened with my own eyes either." Tang Weiwei shook her head.

Yesterday, my senior brother and I went to treat people poisoned by miasma, and we only returned to the Craftsmen's Hall this morning. When we got back, I noticed that my master didn't look well; it seemed like he had just been in a fight.

No, he must have been in a fight. He looks sickly. Master must have taken medicine after the fight! Tang Weiwei nodded affirmatively.

"Wow! Who's so powerful that they managed to beat the Imperial Uncle into this state?" Bai Jueming gasped. This was the third-in-command of the Great Xia Dynasty!

Moreover, many rooms in the Craftsmen's Hall were completely destroyed, and the warehouse was looted. Various magical artifacts crafted using array techniques were stolen.

Besides the lost ritual implements, many of the eldest brother's precious herbs were also gone. The paper figures that the second brother bought were reduced to dust.

"Thank goodness the silver in my warehouse wasn't stolen." Tang Weiwei patted her chest, still shaken by the experience.

This money was all painstakingly saved up to buy pastries. After what happened last night, Tang Weiwei decided that the money could no longer be hidden there, and she would take it all out today to buy pastries!

The losses were that severe? So the mastermind went through all that trouble just to steal those magical artifacts from the Craftsmen's Hall. That reason makes sense, but Bai Jueming still felt that if that was all there was, the risk was too great, and the potential gains were disproportionate.

Tang Weiwei took a bite of the cake, chewing like a hamster. Then she continued, "Those magical artifacts were all made by our Craftsmen's Hall for Yunzhou. Now they've been stolen, and my senior brother has to lead the disciples to remake them."

"A magical artifact crafted for Yunzhou!" Bai Jueming's gaze sharpened. Who would target these things?

You must know that His Majesty issued a decree for this matter. Once the artifacts are completed and delivered to Yunzhou, the Prince of Gaoyang will be the first to launch a war against Yunzhou! Someone wants to stop this, so they stole these magical artifacts! To buy time?

The most motivated force is the demon race! But the demon race doesn't seem to be afraid of fighting.

"Miss Tang, do you know who stole these things?"

"We heard from the people in our Craftsmen's Hall that the person looked like an eagle. He must be a demon," Tang Weiwei said after thinking for a moment.

An eagle? A demon. He felt like he'd seen it before! Bai Jueming suddenly remembered the time he and Cheng Yanbing plotted against Chu Yuanjiang; in the end, because he'd talked too much, Chu Yuanjiang was rescued by an eagle!

Including this eagle, the demon race has already sent three people to the capital. What exactly is their purpose in doing all this? Bai Jueming unconsciously narrowed his eyes.

"After the eagle came to our Craftsmen's Hall, it didn't kill anyone. It just searched the warehouse with a very purpose, and then it actually swallowed all those magical artifacts."

At this point, Tang Weiwei revealed a hint of envy: "He can actually swallow an entire warehouse of weapons! Is that his innate supernatural ability? I wish I had a stomach as big as his; I could eat so many pastries!"

Can't you think about things for once? Why are you only thinking about food?

So this was actually done by the demon race? Are they trying to delay the war? That does make sense. After all, the demon race's fearlessness of war and their desire to avoid war are not contradictory.

The method the demons used to steal magical artifacts was quite novel—they simply swallowed them whole. "Isn't there any storage bag or something in this world?" Bai Jueming voiced his doubts.

Tang Weiwei gave her a look that said, "You've come to the right person." "Of course I have storage bags, and I can even make them." As she spoke, Tang Weiwei proudly picked up the pouch embroidered with pastries from her waist.

After all, in the art of weapon crafting, only the simplest storage bags can be crafted without emitting black smoke...

"However, because of the limited materials, this kind of thing cannot be mass-produced," Tang Weiwei waved the purse in front of Bai Jueming, "and the amount that can be put inside is also very limited, only about the size of a bed."

Hmm, this is different from the cultivation novels I read. The storage bags in those novels can hold mountains and seas. This world is too conservative...

However, this made Bai Jueming think of something, and his expression gradually became serious.

"I've told you everything I needed to tell you. I've completed the task my master gave me, so I'll be leaving now." Tang Weiwei turned around gracefully, her light blue skirt swaying gently.

Bai Jueming didn't notice Tang Weiwei's actions. He was gradually forming a complete guess about the matter of the demon race coming to the capital! If what he thought was true, he would have to report this matter immediately!

Just then, Tang Weiwei suddenly returned. Bai Jueming, who was about to leave, asked with a puzzled look, "Is there anything else, Miss Tang?"

Tang Weiwei wrinkled her delicate nose slightly: "You promised to make me a pastry I've never had before, when are you going to keep your promise?"

You still remember this? I thought you'd forgotten, being so silly. You really can't judge a foodie's mind by ordinary standards...

Bai Jueming could only apologize and say, "I've been a bit busy these past few days. When I have time in a couple of days, I will definitely make the pastries and personally deliver them to Miss Tang." Bai Jueming began to make empty promises.

"Hmph," Tang Weiwei said with a displeased look, "You're a liar!" Then she left.

Um... Bai Jueming looked helpless. "I really don't have time. Two beautiful women I know—Han Xueshan called me a slut, and Tang Weiwei called me a liar. What kind of mess is this...?"

Bai Jueming returned to the courtyard with a worried expression. He raised his head, his gaze passing through the courtyard and landing on the nine-story building, the Yin-Yang Building, not far away.

Huff~ Bai Jueming let out a long breath. He still needed to verify his conjecture.

Back in his room, Bai Jueming rummaged through the bookshelves for a while but couldn't find what he wanted.

Han Xueshan looked at him with some confusion.

Jia Qingshan, drawn by the aroma, approached. He was bored and looking for something to do. "Brother Bai, what are you looking for? Let me help you find it."

"I need a map of the outskirts of the capital," Bai Jueming continued searching. "Do you have a way to get one?"

"Uh, why would you need something like this?" Jia Qingshan looked troubled. "You can't buy something like this even if you have money. Maps are related to the military security of an entire dynasty. It's a capital offense for ordinary people to keep such things privately."

"I see." Bai Jueming nodded in sudden realization, and upon thinking about it carefully, it really was as he said.

This is different from the era I live in, where you can easily find maps on any mobile phone. In ancient times, this was a military resource, and it wasn't so easy to obtain.

"but"

"You actually have a way? I underestimated you!" Bai Jueming looked at him in surprise.

Jia Qingshan glanced around furtively, then whispered in Bai Jueming's ear, "Master Li's room definitely has this thing. You can ask him to borrow it."

"How did you know?" Bai Jueming was taken aback.

"How could you not know?" Jia Qingshan retorted. "Master Li is a fifth-rank Yin-Yang Master. With that kind of status and strength, it's not difficult for him to possess a map. After all, these masters' investigations are all conducted in the capital, and having such a map would make the investigations much easier."

Bai Jueming was persuaded by him, and pulled Jia Qingshan's arm to walk outside: "Come with me to look for it."

"Ugh, ugh, ugh, I guess I don't need to go." Jia Qingshan dragged his feet, his face full of resistance. "This has nothing to do with me. Besides, I can't bear the blame if the hall master gets angry!"

"It's related! I need to ask you something!" Bai Jueming didn't allow him to refuse and dragged him to Zhengshan Hall. "If Brother Shan blames you, he'll say I forced you."

"Well... alright then." Jia Qingshan agreed with a troubled expression, and then dragged his feet to Zhengshan Hall with Bai Jueming.

There were two minor officials on duty at the gate. Bai Jueming lied to them, saying that he had informed Brother Shan in advance, so the two of them did not stop him.

There were shelves on both sides of Zhengshan Hall. Bai Jueming pointed and said, "You look on the shelves over there, and I'll look on this side. Let's split up."

After searching for a while, the two found that the map was not on the bookshelf, but finally found a map of the capital on Li Zhengshan's desk.

Bai Jueming couldn't help but wonder if this was because Brother Shan had looked at the map yesterday when he left the city, searching for the place among the common people where the miasma was present. It was very possible...

The two of them worked together to unfold the map, which covered the entire tabletop. It not only showed the entire capital city but also the layout of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Towns and villages were clearly marked.

"Brother Bai, what exactly are you trying to do?" Jia Qingshan asked from the side.

"I want to see what the demon race is up to!" Bai Jueming said mysteriously, looking at the Tu Yun Mountains marked on the map. "Brother Jia, before that, I need to ask you something."

"What is it?"

Bai Jueming whispered a few words in his ear, then teased, "Don't tell me you don't know about this. I don't believe your Jia family has no connections in the Great Xia court."

"Brother Bai, keep your voice down." Hearing this, Jia Qingshan panicked and quickly covered his mouth: "You can't say things like that! My Jia family really has no one in the court."

"But then again, I actually do know a little about what you're asking about..."

......

A moment later, the two put everything in the room back in its place.

After listening to Bai Jueming's analysis, Jia Qingshan's expression went from doubt to shock, and finally to disbelief!

After leaving Zhengshan Hall, Jia Qingshan returned to Bai Jueming's office, where Bai Jueming stood with a solemn expression.

He was actually still a little hesitant. Would it be too risky to determine the demon race's purpose based solely on his own guesses?

Never mind, at the very least I need to report what Tang Weiwei said. As for my own guesses about the demon race's purpose, I'll just consider them as immature thoughts of a newcomer.

If you guess right, you can stop it; if you guess wrong, it seems like you don't lose anything.

Bai Jueming made up his mind and walked out of the back door of Zhengshan Hall alone.

What came into view was still that huge training ground.

Bai Jueming arrived at the foot of the Yin-Yang Tower, which was entirely made of white marble. Four martial artists were guarding the tower.

The head guard glanced at Bai Jueming's clothes and the token at his waist, and raised his hand to stop him, saying, "Halt! If you are not the hall master, you are not qualified to enter the Yin Yang Tower."

Bai Jueming stopped in his tracks. He knew the rules. The reason he was able to enter the building to discuss the South Gate case last time was because he had gone upstairs with the hall masters first and had told the guards in advance, so he was not stopped.

"Master Zhengshan is out on a case. I am an Onmyoji under his command. I have important information to report from the Craftsmen's Hall. Please go and report to the Deputy Hall Master." Bai Jueming clasped his hands in a respectful manner.

"This... is a bit against the rules." The guard seemed somewhat embarrassed; this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"This matter cannot be delayed, so please inform me." A third-rank official before the prime minister's gate, could he be trying to bribe me? Bai Jueming couldn't help but wonder.

The guard hesitated for a moment, then said, "Please wait for me."

He remembered the words of his predecessors: in the Yin-Yang Hall, no Yin-Yang Master should be offended, otherwise, when they become the hall master, what will he be?

Ideally, you should cultivate good relationships so that when lucrative opportunities arise in the future, they'll remember you, even if you're just a nobody. That's how you get promoted! After all, that's how that senior colleague rose through the ranks!

Lost in thought, the guard arrived at the eighth floor, where the door was wide open.

The deputy temple master sat in the main seat, wearing a demon mask that inspired fear in all who saw him.

The guard steeled himself and stepped forward, bowing as he reported, "Vice Hall Master, a Yin-Yang Master named Bai Jueming requests an audience. He says he has important news from the Craftsmen's Hall."

The guard finished speaking in one breath, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

The deputy hall master was puzzled. He hadn't even had anyone investigate the matter of the Craftsmen's Hall yet, so where did he get the information?

This guy from the black market is clearly something special.

"Let him in," the deputy hall master said calmly, glancing at the guard.

downstairs

The guard returned quickly and whispered to Bai Jueming, "My lord, the deputy hall master requests your presence."

"Thank you very much, sir." Bai Jueming said sincerely. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the guard say, "You're too kind, sir. Oh, by the way, my name is Liu Zai."

Bai Jueming glanced at the guard with some surprise, and the guard returned the smile.

He suddenly mentioned his name, clearly wanting me to remember his kindness. But isn't it a bit too early to build a good relationship now...?