Chapter 483: Chief Constable

Ruan Yushu was clearly taken aback; this was not like the divine delicacies of Shendu, which she could effortlessly discuss.

After a brief pause, she lightly furrowed her delicate brows, thinking as she spoke: “I once heard my grandfather mention that the Zhao Clan of Shendu currently has two experts at the Half-Step Dharma Body level. One is Zhao Wuyan, born many generations ago, holding an extremely high seniority within the clan. He is already over 180 years old. If not for having extended his lifespan years ago, he would likely have passed away in meditation long ago. The other is the youngest uncle of the current emperor, Zhao Jingshi. He has just turned eighty and emerged half a generation before the Demon Sage and the Mad King. He was also a renowned figure in his time.”

“Unfortunately, in the prime of his life, he suffered defeat at the hands of the flamboyant Demon Sage, leaving a psychological shadow. As a result, he secluded himself near the imperial tombs for thirty years, only recently overcoming his inner turmoil and attaining the Half-Step Dharma Body realm.”

“If we consider only the top martial experts among noble families, aside from the Cui Clan of Pingjin and the Gao Clan of Changle, the Zhao Clan of Shendu is nearly on par with the enigmatic Wang Clan of Jiangdong…” Meng Qi inwardly mused, “Are these two experts currently in Shendu?”

The reason the Gao Clan was mentioned before others was because Meng Qi believed his sworn ‘older brother,’ Gao Lan, the former Mad King, might have secretly formed a Dharma Body!

“At least one of them should be in Shendu. ‘Eight Extremes Heaven Dragon’ Zhao Jingshi might still be meditating at the imperial tombs, perfecting his inner cultivation.” Being favored by her elders, Ruan Yushu was privy to many secrets. “As for other imperial experts, there are numerous, making it hard to know them all. For example, two of the Eight Divine Hunters are Zhao Clan disciples…”

She continued to share what she knew, her voice clear, cool, and melodious, like the sound of a zither.

Meng Qi listened attentively, pondering which imperial expert might have ambitions for the throne and attempt to take advantage of chaos. However, he found no clues, as many were in positions where they could benefit from disorder.

Putting this matter aside temporarily, he was about to take his leave when suddenly he frowned.

“Something wrong?” Ruan Yushu’s eyebrows slightly moved.

Meng Qi took a slight breath: “At first glance, it seemed natural, but upon reflection, something feels amiss. Given the vast difference in strength between Guangcheng Tianzun and Changqing, even if he acted honorably and avoided unnecessary killing, it should have been effortless for him to incapacitate Changqing before the latter could react. How then could Changqing have clearly seen the mask, thereby revealing the involvement of the Xianji in this matter?”

“Could it be that Guangcheng Tianzun intentionally revealed himself?”

“Does this imply that he also knows my real identity?”

Caught in this troubling thought, Meng Qi momentarily found himself unable to think his way out.

“The cargo was split in two, with another portion obtained by the Luo Sect and the Tianmen Sect. Their whereabouts are completely hidden, making them extremely difficult to locate. Under such circumstances, if one wishes to reunite the cargo, naturally one must ‘lure the snake out of its cave.'” Ruan Yushu’s dark eyes showed no trace of doubt, regarding the matter as perfectly logical.

Meng Qi suddenly understood: Guangcheng Tianzun had deliberately left clues to allow the Luo Sect and Tianmen Sect to trace them, otherwise, in the vast city of Shendu, it would be extremely difficult to locate two well-hidden evil sects without a trace.

“Wouldn’t they be afraid of the Luo Sect and Tianmen Sect uncovering their scheme and turning the tables?” Meng Qi felt that the Xianji’s approach was somewhat risky, as no one knew how many powerful figures from the Luo Sect and Tianmen Sect had arrived.

“Perhaps they have other advantages,” Ruan Yushu pursed her lips slightly.

After a pause, she asked, “If they do meet, what would you do?”

“What can I do? When gods fight, mortals should stay far away, hiding as far as possible.” Meng Qi instinctively replied.

Ruan Yushu shook her head: “The Shendu Grand Formation has been partially activated, capable of sensing major disturbances and responding accordingly. If they don’t wish to remain trapped in Shendu forever, they will certainly sever their connection to the world’s energies during combat. In such a case, the gap between you and them will significantly narrow, giving you a chance to act.”

Meng Qi nodded thoughtfully: “That’s true. Unless they choose to fight outside Shendu, but luring them out would leave obvious traces, making it unlikely anyone would fall for it.”

“Actually, I hope they each hold half of the cargo, preventing the underlying conspiracy from proceeding further. This way, the Qionghua Banquet won’t be disturbed, and we can complete our mission smoothly. However, judging from the situation, neither side seems willing to give up. A confrontation is inevitable, so it’s better if the Xianji prevails.”

Reminded by Ruan Yushu, Meng Qi suddenly felt the possibility of directly confronting an expert beyond the Outer Manifestation realm!

After leaving the Ruan residence, dusk was approaching, and Meng Qi headed straight for the Six Gates headquarters.

Given the previous attack, he could now openly go there without suspicion, as long as it wasn’t too frequent.

“Master Su, long time no see, I hope you’ve been well.” As Meng Qi entered the old courtyard, he met a constable face to face. The man had a long beard divided into five tufts, his eyes perpetually narrowed into slits. He wore dark red robes with a silver badge on his waist, though the silver thread had been replaced with purple.

Meng Qi recalled briefly and recognized the person, smiling and bowing: “Chief Qian has been transferred to the Shendu headquarters?”

This was indeed Qian Kai, the Silver-Badge Constable of Yingcheng, who had once pursued Old Zhong with Meng Qi.

Qian Kai chuckled: “Back then, we were fortunate to drive away the Mythical and rescue the Crown Prince, earning merit that led to my promotion back to Shendu.”

Transferred back to Shendu for aiding the Crown Prince… Meng Qi looked at Qian Kai with added scrutiny. Had this fellow secretly sided with the Crown Prince?

“At that time, I still didn’t know that Master Su was from the Shenwei Marquis’s household, being the nephew of Constable Su himself. Truly, one family not recognizing another…” Qian Kai exchanged a few pleasantries before saying, “In a few days, I will host a banquet. If Master Su is available, please do me the honor of attending.”

Meng Qi smiled: “If I’m free, I will definitely attend.”

Yet he had already decided not to go, unwilling to get entangled with the Crown Prince.

Located at the center of the courtyard, the Zhusui Building stood between several towering ancient trees, its surroundings tranquil and partially hidden, serving as the office of the Six Gates’ Chief Constable.

As Meng Qi approached the entrance, a figure emerged from inside. The man wore a light golden constable’s uniform, was of medium height, with slightly graying hair. His eyes were sharp and deep, as if capable of seeing through all secrets.

His nose was slightly hooked, his face free of wrinkles, yet exuding natural authority, seemingly rarely smiling.

What made Meng Qi’s scalp tingle was the golden thread hanging from his waist, bearing a dark golden dragon claw!

This must be Ke Yuzhang, father of Ke Weilan, one of the Eight Divine Hunters, the “Dragon Claw Constable,” a Grandmaster expert!

Seeing Meng Qi, Ke Yuzhang nodded slightly, his expression neither angry nor pleased:

“Well done. Without your intervention, these unworthy descendants would never have realized that there are always greater heavens and superior people beyond their world, nor would they have strived to improve themselves, avoiding becoming spoiled aristocrats.”

Even after cultivating the “Heaven-Shaking Earth-Shaking Great Art,” skilled in sensing others’ emotions, Meng Qi could not discern whether Ke Yuzhang’s words were genuinely praising or subtly mocking. He was like a dead sea, showing not the slightest ripple!

“Constable flatters me,” Meng Qi bowed.

“Go in quickly. The Chief Constable is waiting for you,” Ke Yuzhang said no more, walking away with his hands clasped behind his back.

Meng Qi inhaled deeply, his heart calm as a still lake, stepping into a place regarded by many as the most mysterious, authoritative, and intriguing location.

The Zhusui Building was simply and traditionally decorated, resembling an ordinary civilian residence.

Standing before the building was a man with a round face. Each of his facial features was excellent individually; had he been thinner, he would have been a fine middle-aged gentleman, but his plumpness was quite evident.

A sword and saber hung at his waist, and a golden thread suspended a pendant shaped like a purple great roc with wings formed by the sword and saber.

“Hello, Uncle Liu.” Though they had never met, Meng Qi immediately recognized the man’s identity. This was Liu Shengming, the “Purple Roc Constable,” one of the Eight Divine Hunters, and father of Liu Shuyu, a supreme expert at the sixth heavenly level.

Liu Shengming smiled like a laughing Buddha: “Your Su family has produced such a fine young man, making us all envious. No wonder Shuyu has been praising you endlessly.”

“Enough. The Emperor and the Chief Constable are waiting for you upstairs. We’ll chat more at the banquet tonight.”

“Banquet?” Meng Qi was slightly puzzled.

Liu Shengming chuckled: “The Yu Clan from Nanzhou arrived in the capital last night. Because they once received help from your father, they’ve come today to express their gratitude.”

“Since we haven’t seen each other in many years, your father plans to host a banquet at his villa, inviting me and others to gather, allowing the younger generation to become better acquainted and maintain friendly relations.”

Listening to him speak, Meng Qi couldn’t help but feel as if it sounded like a matchmaking banquet… His eyelid involuntarily twitched.

Liu Shengming said no more, turning to lead Meng Qi upstairs.

The staircase was old, creaking with every step, but Meng Qi and Liu Shengming were no ordinary men. They ascended like water flowing silently, reaching the second floor noiselessly, entering the Chief Constable’s office.

The room was filled with bookshelves, and areas unsuitable for outsiders were partitioned by screens. Though called screens, they were actually rare treasures, at least impenetrable to Meng Qi’s perception!

Before a screen painted with gods paying homage to the Heavenly Emperor sat a figure clad in a dragon robe, wearing a celestial crown. His appearance bore some resemblance to Zhao Heng, and in his youth, he must have been a man with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a refined, handsome demeanor. However, his eyebrows were now sparse, his hair gray, and wrinkles lined his eyes and mouth.

Meng Qi immediately felt a strange sensation. Although the current emperor wasn’t particularly powerful, he was still a top-tier expert with a lifespan exceeding two sexagenary cycles. At only around sixty years old, he already appeared aged, seemingly unlikely to live another twenty years, perhaps even less.

To the emperor’s left sat a man on a chair with a soft cushion, neither bowing nor arrogant.

His hair was dark black with a hint of yellow, his appearance ordinary, his age indistinguishable. He looked like either a neighborly old man or a middle-aged gentleman, dressed in wide robes and a headpiece.

Sensing him, Meng Qi felt as if he were sensing an infinite universe—void, profound, vast, and boundless.

“Six Gates Chief Constable Simashi…” Meng Qi whispered inwardly.

He bore no flamboyant or famous title, yet the very words “Chief Constable” compelled involuntary respect.

“Greetings to the Emperor, greetings to the Chief Constable.” Meng Qi performed a junior’s bow to elders rather than the kneeling salute for an audience with the emperor.

The Emperor slightly raised his eyebrows, his expression unreadable—whether anger or amusement—before suddenly bursting into laughter, turning to Simashi: “Simashi, when you first met me, you were just like this too. The ‘Crazy Blade’s’ reputation for audacity is well-deserved.”

Meng Qi quietly exhaled in relief. He had deliberately acted this way; after all, bearing the title ‘Crazy Blade,’ one should possess some audacity.

Chief Constable Simashi spoke plainly: “Those who pursue the martial path should behave thus.”

Then he looked at Meng Qi: “Tell us about your martial exploits. The Emperor and I are both curious.”