Yin Yang Soul Searcher

After Jinxiu finished recounting the information she knew, the deputy hall master slowly stood up.

The powerful aura suppressed Jinxiu on the table, preventing her from moving. She could only cautiously crawl on the spot.

"At this point, all of the demon race's schemes have been exposed. Although the demon race stole the auspicious beast, uncovering the truth is still a commendable achievement," the deputy hall master said calmly.

"I will report this matter to the Imperial Preceptor. Whether those present have rendered meritorious service or committed wrongdoing, I believe the Imperial Preceptor will make his own judgment."

Bai Jueming and the other hall masters bowed their heads in agreement, having no objections.

Of course, even if there are objections, they dare not speak out.

If the Imperial Advisor believes that the loss of the auspicious beast was due to the fact that the people of the Yin-Yang Palace failed to deduce the cause from the actions of the demon race in the capital, resulting in a shortage of manpower to support the Crown Prince, then it is their fault.

Conversely, the Imperial Advisor believed the auspicious beast was lost due to insufficient support, but the Yin-Yang Palace had already deduced the demon race's intentions and had now ascertained the truth. Therefore, everyone involved had rendered meritorious service!

Merits and demerits are all decided by the Grand Preceptor's word.

Then, the deputy hall master's gaze, hidden behind his mask, shifted to Bai Jueming, his eyes revealing deep admiration: "Leaving aside the merits and demerits of the other hall masters, Bai Jueming, your contributions are beyond doubt."

"You saw through the demon race's scheme, guessed that they were going to attack the eldest prince, and promptly informed me and the imperial advisor. That's one point."

"Secondly, during the standoff between the Crown Prince and the demon race, the battlefield was fraught with danger. To risk one's life to capture the fleeing Jinxiu is a remarkable achievement."

"If we don't catch this fox, we'll have to go through a lot of trouble investigating, and there's no guarantee we'll find anything!"

At this point, the deputy hall master glanced at the hall master standing quietly beside him and thought to himself, "There is no difference without comparison."

Although the Yin-Yang Palace didn't send many people, and Sun Tai was seriously injured while guarding against the demons, their combined merit still didn't even match that of Bai Jue Ming alone... Were they too lax? It seems we need to put some pressure on them in the future!

If the hall masters knew what the deputy hall master was thinking, they would definitely cry foul. We were being pulled in to be conscripted while we were still handling other cases. We set off immediately after finding out about this, without any time to analyze the situation. Besides, although we are a bit weak, we have still put in a lot of effort even if we haven't achieved anything!

Bai Jueming was a little embarrassed by the praise, and with a humble expression, he waved his hand and said, "Not at all, Vice Hall Master, you flatter me. I was just a little bit lucky." Hehe.

The deputy hall master nodded, acknowledging that humility was a good thing. However, he still said, "You don't need to be so modest. Once I inform the Grand Preceptor of your achievements, he will surely value and cultivate you. Continue your cultivation diligently and do not disappoint the Grand Preceptor's expectations!"

The hall masters looked at Bai Jueming with envy. To be valued and cultivated by the Imperial Preceptor was something many people could only dream of.

That's the number one Onmyoji in the world! It's the ultimate dream of countless Onmyoji! If you could get the National Preceptor's guidance, would you still have to worry about cultivation resources? Cultivation experience would be readily available!

Bai Jueming took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. He was determined to seize the opportunity and cling to the Imperial Advisor's coattails. He would recognize him as his godfather!

She sought her adoptive father's protection and, with his help, discovered who had guided her to become an Onmyoji. What, then, was her true purpose?

"This humble servant will absolutely not fail the expectations of the Imperial Preceptor!" Bai Jueming looked every bit the loyal subject.

The deputy hall master smiled with satisfaction, then picked up the fox on the table and placed it in front of him: "There is one more thing, which is to determine whether this fox is lying."

"Everything I said is true, not a single lie." Jinxiu's neck was grabbed, and her fox face showed a human-like fear. She knew the Onmyoji's questioning and soul-searching methods, so she dared not say a word falsehood. If she were found to have told a lie, she probably wouldn't even be able to die.

Unfortunately, it was not up to her.

The deputy hall master slapped Jinxiu unconscious and then threw her on the table. Who can verify this?

The hall masters, having finally gotten a chance to show off, rushed forward to demonstrate their abilities, determined to make a contribution.

Bai Jueming consciously stood aside, not moving forward. He had already made a lot of contributions, so he wanted to leave some for others. Otherwise, he would incur jealousy.

But something about this scene feels a bit strange. Lying on the table is a fox spirit that can transform into human form, surrounded by four men in their prime...

Before long, the four people finished their questions in their dreams.

They then looked each other over for a few moments before bowing to the Vice Hall Master and saying, "Jinxiu did not lie; everything she said just now is true."

The deputy hall master nodded, then instructed the crowd, "This demon has committed grave sins. Lock her in the Heavenly Prison and await her fate!"

The deputy hall master methodically made the arrangements: "Take your men and proceed immediately to Yu Haochu's residence. Seal off the residence; no one is allowed to enter or leave!"

"This person colludes with the demon race, disregards imperial authority, and is guilty of heinous crimes. If we take him into custody, he will become a high-ranking official in the court, and we will await His Majesty's judgment!" The deputy hall master's eyes, hidden behind his mask, were as sharp as knives, and his tone was icy.

"Bai Jueming, you are meticulous. Go with him too and see if there are any important clues or evidence in his residence. Find out who he helped embezzle the mines and make sure you find out!"

Bai Jueming and several hall masters clasped their hands in greeting and accepted the order, then led Jinxiu out of the room.

After everyone left, the deputy hall master stood there for a long time, then sorted out his thoughts and slowly walked towards the ninth floor of the Yin-Yang Hall.

As dawn broke over the capital, a light drizzle fell on the streets.

Bai Jueming arrived at Zhengshan Hall intending to fetch a horse from the stable, but unexpectedly ran into Han Xueshan, who had just come out of a guest room.

Jia Qingshan didn't stay in a guest room; he rented the most expensive restaurant outside, and it wasn't even time for him to start work yet.

Han Xueshan wore a plain-colored Taoist robe, her fair face exuding a heroic air, and her hair was still tied in a simple high ponytail. Her whole demeanor was elegant yet beautiful, like a blooming white lotus.

"So early today? What happened yesterday? I saw a lot of people from the Yin-Yang Palace had left."

Han Xueshan came up and immediately asked three questions.

To be fair, this young Taoist nun is incredibly beautiful, except for some flaws in her figure and a somewhat irritable personality.

Bai Jueming briefly admired the view, then waved his hand, indicating that he was on the way.

Han Xueshan was puzzled, but she still took the horse and rode with Bai Jueming.

The journey wasn't far. The two, holding oil-paper umbrellas, briefly explained the events of the previous day: how he deduced the demon race's intentions, how he led the Yin-Yang Palace in a valiant resistance, and how, ultimately, outnumbered, they failed to protect the auspicious beast's corpse...

Fortunately, he disregarded the danger and charged forward at the last moment, capturing Jinxiu, a fox demon from the demon race who was involved in the incident in the capital, and made a great contribution!

Han Xueshan sat on horseback, somewhat admiring Bai Jueming's deductions, after all, she had witnessed how this scoundrel investigated cases.

After all, before she came to the Yin-Yang Palace, Bai Jianren had already found clues about the pill case. In the subsequent cases of the Minister of Works and the South Gate, Bai Jueming's reasoning logic and meticulousness were first-rate.

However, what Bai Jueming said later was that he led the Yin-Yang Palace members in a valiant resistance, vowing to protect the auspicious beast's corpse to the death...

Han Xueshan held the horse's reins in one hand and held an umbrella in the other, sneering. This bitch Bai could charge into battle? She didn't believe it!

As for who caught the fox? It must have been done by a skilled expert in the field, otherwise, how could it have been this despicable person? He's just trying to pat himself on the back!

Han Xueshan pursed her lips, not exposing him: "How did the final interrogation go?"

"After my meticulous interrogation, the vixen was naturally flustered and unable to defend herself. In the end, she tearfully confessed everything." After saying this, Bai Jueming revealed a smile that showed he had everything under control.

"We're heading to the mastermind's house now."

Han Xueshan ignored Bai Jueming's boasting and pondered his last sentence. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she quickly asked, "You mean, these things aren't just being done by the demon race, but also by people from the Great Xia?"

"Xiaoxue, you've become smarter. You've learned something from me after all this time. I'm very pleased." Bai Jueming nodded with great satisfaction.

Han Xueshan's pretty face darkened. "Little Xue, how dare you call me that? When did I become your apprentice, you bitch?" Han Xueshan picked up the wooden sword on her back and stabbed at Bai Jueming from behind.

It's the back.

Bai Jueming spurred his horse to move further away from her, then continued, "The fact that the demon race came to the capital to handle so many matters was thanks to the help of Yu Haochu, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works."

"That old man with the goatee?" Han Xueshan was taken aback.

Han Xueshan remembered this person. After the explosion at the South Gate, she encountered an old man on his way back with Zhou Dahai and others, who was going to court in a sedan chair. She never expected that it was this person who did it. He looked harmless.

Just as Han Xueshan was lost in her memories, the two of them arrived at the Yu residence.

The Yu residence was a three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). Several hall masters had arrived in advance, and the entrance was already filled with martial artists from the Yin-Yang Hall. Guards were stationed at both the front and back gates to ensure that no one could enter or leave.

The two dismounted, Bai Jueming nodded to the martial artists, and then entered the mansion with Han Xueshan.

The vermilion gates of the mansion were wide open. Normally, there should have been a protective array to enter the Yu residence, but Bai Jueming and his companion entered the courtyard without any obstruction.

If the courtyard was to be sealed off, why didn't the hall masters who entered first have the gatekeeper close the gate and the formation?

Bai Jueming's heart skipped a beat, then he sighed, "We're too late."

"What do you mean?" Han Xueshan asked, puzzled.

"If I'm not mistaken, Yu Haochu has already been silenced," Bai Jueming explained, then walked toward the main hall with a solemn expression.

I should have realized it sooner. Yu Haochu had connections to that Yin-Yang Master regarding mineral resources, and the demon race also cooperated with Yu Haochu. To prevent my identity or the mineral resource lead from being exposed, the mastermind probably killed Yu Haochu the moment I captured the fox!

Bai Jueming walked quickly ahead, with Han Xueshan following behind, holding a peach wood sword. The mansion remained silent the entire way.

"The people in the manor have probably all been silenced!" Bai Jueming observed the surroundings of the manor as he walked. Everything was too quiet. Logically, the servants should have been up and working by now. But there wasn't a single person in sight.

Bai Jueming arrived at the main hall, where he saw two large doors wide open, swaying and creaking in the light rain and breeze.

Bai Jueming sighed. Standing in the courtyard with his umbrella, he could see a corpse dressed in official robes hanging from the roof beam in the main hall. Four hall masters stood inside, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Upon entering the hall, Bai Jueming folded his umbrella and surveyed his surroundings. Beside the corpse lay a copper basin containing ashes from a fire.

"We're a step too late," a hall master said with a grave expression.

Bai Jueming nodded, already prepared: "What about the others in the household?"

"Before we arrived at the hall, we briefly surveyed several rooms, and without exception, everyone inside was dead, whether servants or family members! Some were strangled, some had their heads smashed, and some had their hearts pierced by sharp swords..."

"I haven't been to the backyard yet; I doubt there will be any survivors!"

Bai Jueming listened with a chilling heart. The person behind the scenes was so ruthless and lawless; he was destined for great things!

"The person behind this is ruthless! They won't even spare innocent people." Han Xueshan clenched her fists. As a Taoist disciple, her sense of righteousness was overflowing, and she couldn't stand such a demon who indiscriminately killed innocent people!

Bai Jueming patted Han Xueshan on the shoulder, indicating that she didn't need to be so radical.

At Bai Jueming's suggestion, the gang leaders worked together to lift the body down and place it on the floor. The body had a gaunt face, a bluish complexion, bulging eyes that stared like copper bells, and a distinctive goatee at the corner of its mouth.

He looked like he had died with his eyes wide open, and his body was still warm, so he must have died not long ago.

"Gentlemen, how about trying Soul Search?" Only after Bai Jueming said this did everyone realize that it wasn't that they had forgotten about Soul Search, but rather that they had forgotten Bai Jueming was just a lowly eighth-rank disciple who didn't yet possess this skill. They were all waiting for Bai Jueming to make his move.

This is all due to Bai Jueming's performance in the case, which led everyone to believe that Bai Jueming was on the same level as themselves.

Although high-ranking officials of the court could not easily have their souls searched, for example, the former Minister of Works, Yang Yongyuan, was murdered. If one wanted to search Yang Yongyuan's soul, it would require reporting through multiple levels of government and reaching the emperor directly.

However, for someone like Yu Haochu, who betrayed the court, defied imperial authority, and colluded with foreign tribes, the Yin-Yang Palace has already obtained evidence—this constitutes treason. The Yin-Yang Palace can act expediently in this urgent situation. Everything is geared towards solving the case as quickly as possible!

The hall masters naturally had no objections. One of the hall masters squatted down next to Yu Haochu, a black vortex of soul power appeared in his hand, and then he placed it on the corpse's brow. As the soul power gradually penetrated deeper, the hall master's brows furrowed more and more deeply.

A moment later, the hall master opened his eyes, shook his head with a look of dejection on his face: "His soul has been destroyed, so we cannot search for it."

The hall masters' faces turned grim. The deputy hall master had ordered them to come out and investigate, to arrest people, but now the people were gone, and all the clues in their minds were gone too. It was as if they had done absolutely nothing, like complete useless trash.

One of the hall masters couldn't help but curse: "**That damned rogue cultivator dares to oppose the Yin Yang Hall! We'll drag him out and tear him to pieces sooner or later."

Bai Jueming stood calmly in place, which was clearly within his expectations.

Bai Jueming looked at the purplish-blue face of the corpse. The mastermind behind the scenes did not smash the corpse's head in one go, but instead hung the corpse from the roof beam. Was this to give Yu Haochu some dignity, or to leave a warning for those who would come after him?

Shaking his slightly dizzy head, Bai Jueming didn't think much of it. He squatted in front of the copper basin, which contained ashes from burned paper. He picked up the ashes and rubbed them. He couldn't help but think that the mastermind behind the scenes had burned all the evidence related to Yu Haochu after killing him.

"Esteemed Hall Masters," Bai Jueming stood up and clasped his hands in greeting, "Since the person is already dead, we can no longer perform a soul search. Why don't we first search the entire Yu residence and see if we find any important clues, so that we can give the Deputy Hall Master an explanation?"

The hall masters readily agreed, first instructing their men to wrap the body up, leave it in the room, and assign guards. Then they each went to investigate the rooms in the courtyard.

Bai Jueming patted Han Xueshan on the shoulder: "Xiaoxue, let's go too. Be careful and protect me."

Han Xueshan rolled her eyes, slapped away Bai Jueming's groping hand, and said sarcastically, "There's no one left alive in the manor, what are you afraid of, you coward!"

"You don't know anything. This is called being careful to avoid trouble." Bai Jueming scoffed, too lazy to argue with such a brainless person.

"Also, don't call me Xiaoxue. That's what my master calls me!" Han Xue added, her face crestfallen.

"Okay, Xiaoxue." Bai Jueming ran out of the room.

Han Xueshan followed behind him with a wooden sword, ready to stab him.

......

The two first went to the study, which was simply furnished. The bookshelves were filled with many books and boxes, and the desk was set with the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper) and some documents that the Ministry of Works needed to process. There was also some writing on the desk by Yu Haochu, who stopped writing halfway through.

Who would have thought that such a diligent old man would be the mastermind behind the conspiracy with the demon race? Appearances can be deceiving.

Bai Jueming and Han Xueshan searched through all the documents, books, and boxes on the bookshelves, but found no evidence of Yu Haochu's illegal or criminal activities. They figured it had all been burned in the copper basin in the hall.

The two left the room and first looked at the corpse in the room in the front yard. Just as the hall master had said, the servant died a gruesome death, and the perpetrator's methods were cruel, ruthless, and decisive, somewhat like the style of a martial artist.

Some servants even had their heads pierced, leaving a mess of red and white blood scattered on the ground. The sight made Bai Jueming feel nauseous, so he quickly left the room.

Han Xueshan followed beside her, unable to bear watching. She simply gripped the wooden sword in her hand tightly, feeling a deep sense of unease.

"Why is the mastermind targeting even them? They're just unsuspecting servants! They haven't done anything wrong!"

Bai Jueming stood in the courtyard, getting soaked in the light rain, and exhaled a deep breath: "Xiaoxue, this bloody and turbulent court struggle is nothing like the sword fights and chivalrous vendettas of the martial world."

"If the mastermind takes pity on these servants and lets them go, and if these servants know something, then the mastermind will face the same fate as Yu Haochu—their entire family destroyed. Therefore, it's better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!"

"Can't Onmyoji perform soul-searching? Does killing them solve everything?"

"Soul searches can only reveal events from the past seven days, but if they are alive, they will know much more."

Bai Jueming patted Han Xueshan on the shoulder and turned to walk towards the backyard. He didn't know how to comfort the little girl, after all, this was the first time he had seen such a scene in his two lifetimes.