Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

The high priest even shuddered suddenly, as if he had been hit hard by something, and took two steps back, the copper bell ringing crisply.

Chen Shao was so misled that he thought the system had given him a reward.

"We've arrived... The source of evil lies here."

Everyone looked up.

This is an extremely inconspicuous house.

The storefront is small, with mottled blue bricks, and there isn't even a plaque above the door.

The courtyard wall was not high, and the corners were covered with moss, making it look dilapidated.

The high priest had a strange expression on his face and glanced at Han Cao almost imperceptibly.

The meaning is clear: Would two high-ranking officials like Yu Qi'an and Shen Qingci live in such a residence? Have they gone to the wrong place?

Han Cao shook his head slightly.

Even Chen Shao was puzzled, let alone the high priest.

He had seen Shen Qingci's residence before. So, Lord Yu lived in this dilapidated place?

My trusted confidants have become so poor.

Is there no law anymore?!

"Where is this?"

Someone nearby, quick-witted, leaned over and whispered in response:

"Your Majesty, this is Lord Yu Qi'an's residence."

"This is called a mansion?"

Chen Shao was furious.

"I, the Vice Minister of War of the Great Yan Dynasty, a high-ranking official of the second rank, live in a place like this?"

"In that case, who would still be willing to serve the Great Yan? Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be left to freeze in the wind and cold! Eunuch Wei."

"Immediately find a large seven-courtyard house for Lord Yu in the city, close to the Ministry of War, with all the materials provided from my imperial treasury."

Eunuch Wei bowed immediately:

"Yes, this old servant has remembered."

The high priest stood aside, feeling somewhat impatient.

What time is it? You still have the leisure to worry about your subjects' housing conditions?

But he dared not show it, and could only cough once:

"Your Majesty, this house is filled with extremely evil spirits. I am certain that one of the sources of witchcraft is hidden here."

Chen Shao nodded, but instead of rushing inside, he asked:

"Where is Lord Yu?"

A guard reported back: "Lord Yu is busy with official duties and is not here."

"Let's go in and take a look."

Chen Shao waved his hand, and several imperial guards stepped forward and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Squeak! Clang!

The guard was careless and the gate fell down with a gentle push.

"Your Majesty, this humble servant..."

"It's not your problem," Chen Shao waved his hand.

That's so poor!

Well done, Yu Qi'an! If Han Cao hadn't pulled this stunt today, I would still be completely in the dark.

They're living such a hard life.

Chen Shao felt a lump in his throat; these were truly loyal and upright ministers who served the country.

Han Cao's thirty-six salted dishes, Yuwen Huagu's three hundred singing girls...

Hey!

Those who set the balance of power cannot enjoy peace; this is a problem for emperors.

The courtyard was even more shabby.

There were two trees that were half-dead, one was a jujube tree, and the other was also a jujube tree.

A well covered with wooden planks.

Several stone benches surround a stone table, the tabletop covered with fallen leaves.

The officials followed Chen Shao in single file, each one unable to resist looking around.

The more dilapidated the house, the more uneasy they felt, especially those who lived in mansions.

Judging from His Majesty's expression... who knows how furious he might be about to unleash his fury.

The high priest continued his divine intervention.

He shook a bell in one hand and made grasping motions in the air with the other, while chanting some incantation.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide and pointed the copper bell towards the main room:

"Over there!"

Chen Shao didn't say much and led his men into the house.

The room was simply furnished: an old bed, a low table, two broken chairs, a knife hanging on the wall, and several pairs of old boots stuffed under the bed.

That's it.

Chen Shao sighed again.

The high priest walked straight to the bedside, then suddenly exerted his strength and let out a low shout:

"Hey!"

"The source of evil spirits lies here."

He reached under the bed and came out holding a brocade box.

The high priest stood up, holding the brocade box, his expression solemn:

"Your Majesty, we've found it! The answer lies in this box!"

Chen Shao stared at the brocade box for a long time; it was the very box he had touched last night.

He appeared expressionless, but in reality, he was suppressing his emotions.

I wonder if you guys will drop your jaws in surprise.

Afraid he might burst out laughing, he looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

"Yu Qi'an, oh Yu Qi'an..."

Only after saying that did my emotions calm down.

"The Taoist priest just said that this is one of the dishes?"

The high priest nodded:

"That's right, the power of witchcraft is divided into two parts, one yin and one yang, one female and one male."

"The male Gu is hidden here, and there is another female Gu elsewhere."

"Han Xiang has passed away."

Han Cao was standing in the crowd when he was suddenly called out, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Your subject is here."

"Hold this box for now, and we'll open it together when we find the female Gu."

"Of all those in the palace, you are the most mature and prudent. I feel most at ease leaving this in your hands."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Master, let's go and find the other place as well."

......

The high priest continued to ring a bell with each step and make a hand gesture every three steps.

He walked through the streets and markets from the dilapidated alleyway belonging to Yu Qi'an's family.

To everyone's great surprise, they ended up at Luming Academy.

The stone tablet at the entrance is still there, inscribed with the words personally written by Chen Shao:

There will be times when the wind and waves will be strong, and we will set sail to cross the vast ocean.

"Your Majesty, the source of the evil lies deep within this academy!"

Many students in the courtyard were studying when a group of imperial guards and high-ranking officials suddenly rushed in. They were so frightened that they stood there, too scared to move.

Soon, guided by the high priest, the group arrived at Shen Qingci's courtyard.

The bamboo shadows sway in the courtyard, and a string of wind chimes hangs from the eaves, tinkling gently in the breeze, creating a very elegant scene.

Similar to what happened at Yu Qi'an's house, they quickly found an identical brocade box under the bed.

Han Cao was still holding her.

Chen Shao stood expressionless in the courtyard.

A short while later, hurried footsteps could be heard outside.

"Make way, all of you make way!"

Yu Qi'an and Shen Qingci rushed in, covered in sweat.

Both men were busy with their work when they suddenly heard a noise. Even though they were Chen Shao's confidants, they couldn't help but be startled.

As I said before, this is what the emperor fears most: witchcraft and sorcery. Whoever gets involved with it will die.

"Your Majesty, I...I am innocent!"

"I don't even know what witchcraft is, how could such a thing exist?"

Even the usually sharp-tongued Shen Qingci dared not say anything at this moment and could only cry out that she was wronged.

Upon seeing this, the officials all had complex expressions.

Finally, someone impulsively stepped forward to plead for leniency.

"Your Majesty, both Lord Yu and Lord Shen are loyal and virtuous officials. How could they possibly engage in witchcraft? Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"Lord Shen sold his ancestral home to stabilize grain prices and lived and ate in Lord Shen's army camp, remaining incorruptible. Who in the court doesn't know this? This must be a deliberate frame-up!"

But some people are kicking someone when they're down.

"You can't tell what's in someone's heart. You can know a person's face but not their heart. The more this is the case, the more likely it is to be true."

"This witchcraft item can't just grow legs and run under the bed by itself, can it?"

"Bullshit!"

"You dare to swear at me?"

"I'm talking about you!"

The officials split into two factions, engaging in heated debates and creating chaos.

Chen Shao saw that the atmosphere had been set up enough for the next action.

He then coldly rebuked and interrupted everyone.

"Enough! You're all high-ranking officials; what kind of behavior is this, arguing like this!"

"This box hasn't been opened yet, has it?"

"I will not allow anyone to frame loyal officials, nor will I allow anyone to use such poisonous tactics."

"Whoever is found out today will not be tolerated."

He turned to look at Han Cao:

"Open the box!"