Chapter 848: Reviewing the Records

As Zhao Heng and others departed, the Zhu Yi Building regained its tranquility.

Looking at the composed Meng Qi, the divine captors who had made the same choice for the head captor position for different reasons earlier began to ponder again, each with their own doubts and thoughts.

Some divine captors worried that “Mad Saber” was merely retreating to advance, claiming to be temporary, but in reality, delaying time to initially control the Six Gates, using the Langya Ruan Clan, Zhou Jun Wang Clan, Shen Du Zhao Clan, and other forces to communicate and exchange, reaching a consensus to delay time. By then, he would become the authentic head of the Six Gates, with no one able to oppose him, allowing him to remain indefinitely!

Others suspected he represented sect forces, specifically coming to disrupt the stability of the Jin Dynasty’s court, while some were happy to see this, and others harbored resentment, and so on, various opinions abounded.

At this moment, they saw “Mad Saber” Su Meng walking slowly forward toward the seat Zhao Heng had just occupied. He wore a plain green robe, his hands empty, each step seemingly treading upon his own heart, causing chaotic thoughts to recede and the atmosphere to become solemn and dignified.

Just before reaching the head captor’s position, Meng Qi suddenly turned around, his robe flaring with the wind, exuding calm and ease.

With his hands behind his back, he stood before the seat, his gaze peaceful, looking at the Eight Divine Captors, a slight smile on his lips as he said, “I have ascended to the heavens in one step, bearing four calamities. Today, I am not yet twenty-five years old, having already crossed the second heavenly ladder, reaching the eighth heaven, ranked eighteenth on the earthly list, not much inferior to a grand master. In his youth, even the venerable Su Wuming was somewhat inferior to me.”

“I don’t say this to boast, but rather to invite you all, divine captors, to guess what my ambition is?”

Familiar words made Su Yue feel as though he had returned to the past, the day “Mad Saber” re-entered the Su family’s gates, momentarily feeling a bit dazed.

Zhao Mingche listened to these words, comparing himself, feeling quite disheartened, and couldn’t help sighing, “People are all speculating about Su Jinzhang, uh, Head Captor, how long until you achieve the Dharma Body, whether you can possess legendary traits once you break through, like Su Wuming.”

He knew that as long as the discussion restarted, with “temporary” as the premise, Mad Saber would surely become the head captor, so he changed his address directly.

“The Head Captor’s ambition must certainly go beyond the realm of a human immortal’s Dharma Body; he aims to possess legendary traits upon first achieving the Dharma Body, aspiring to become a celestial immortal, something no one has achieved since ancient times.” Zhao Jingyue, who bore a slight resemblance to Zhao Heng and was closely related by blood, though softer in features and more delicate in appearance, continued Zhao Mingche’s words.

Other divine captors nodded in agreement. The first four-calamed individual since the Human Emperor, the youngest master who had endured countless trials—if even he lacked the confidence or desire to achieve the Dharma Body, then who in the world would dare to claim their goal was the Dharma Body?

Moreover, with the precedent of Master Lu Da and later Su Wuming, Mad Saber’s ambitions would naturally go beyond this.

Meng Qi nodded lightly, his tone calm, “Since all of you divine captors know that I am aiming directly at the Dharma Body, what is there to worry about?”

“Although the head captor of the Six Gates wields great power and holds a revered position, can it compare to that of a Dharma Body expert?”

“Have you ever worried that Master Lu Da or Senior Su would covet the position of head captor? They wouldn’t, and neither would I! I take them as my goals, vowing to stand alongside them; how could I possibly cling to the minor position of head captor of the Six Gates?”

This… Ke Yuzhang, Li Dong, and other divine captors were all struck by these plain yet powerfully confident words. Su Meng truly lived up to his “mad” reputation, showing utter disdain for the position of head captor of the Six Gates, as if he were already a Dharma Body expert.

Similar words had been spoken by Meng Qi when he first returned to the Su family, expressing his disinterest in the family head position. But at this moment, expressing such sentiments carried far more persuasion than ever before, making it seem perfectly natural and as it should be!

At that time, he was merely at the pinnacle of the mortal rankings—a title that changed hands every few years. The only certainty was his ability to reach the outer realm, while his future as a true master remained uncertain. Had he declared his ambition to dominate the martial world, surpassing his predecessors and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with immortals, he would undoubtedly have been mocked for his arrogance and presumption.

But now, he is already a master, only a step away from the peak of the outer realm, and the third heavenly ladder seems no great challenge. He is not yet twenty-five, with the potential of four calamities, having repeatedly accomplished miracles others deemed impossible, killing more masters than had died unnaturally in the past decade. When he says his goal is the Dharma Body, everyone feels it is only natural; human immortality is insufficient, earth immortality and celestial immortality are the realms he should strive for.

Therefore, such words were especially convincing. Ke Yuzhang, Ming Bikong, and other divine captors quietly exhaled in relief. Indeed, who among the Dharma Body experts would look down upon the position of head captor of the Six Gates? They themselves are the trend, the authority; one word from them, who would dare to oppose?

Therefore, Su Meng, who lacks no techniques or resources, is surely only temporarily filling the role and will not confine himself to the capital.

This is our opportunity!

What a good delay!

Meng Qi sensed their emotional changes and smiled slightly, “With the great calamity upon us, the world is gradually descending into chaos. Great destruction brings great opportunity. If we do not seize this chance to pursue the legendary realm that transcends all worlds, wouldn’t we be wasting this opportunity?”

The legendary realm, the realm no one has achieved since the Overlord King! Ke Yuzhang and other divine captors’ pupils constricted as they felt they had completely underestimated how “mad” the “Mad Saber” truly was. He actually aspired to become a legend, a mighty being capable of reshaping heaven and earth.

This ambition could no longer be described merely as arrogant confidence!

Yet his tone was filled with confidence and calmness, as if he didn’t think this goal was the least bit distant or illusory.

Without explaining that failure to become a legend would leave him with no future, Meng Qi’s expression turned serious, and he said gravely, “Since I am only temporarily filling the role, each of you has the opportunity to become the head captor.”

“And to become the head captor, support from your background family is one aspect, while achieving real accomplishments is another. Whoever can solve the mystery of the missing head captor, whoever can demonstrate their ability during this process, the ministers of the Political Affairs Hall will surely not overlook this, as it will be an important bargaining chip in their negotiations.”

Ming Bikong’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately bowed, “Head Captor’s advice is correct; I will immediately begin investigating this matter earnestly!”

Ke Yuzhang, Li Dong, Zhao Jingyue, and other divine captors also quickly responded, full of vigor, saying, “Head Captor’s advice is correct!”

Meng Qi said calmly, “Since you know the advice is right, why haven’t you gone to work yet? Leave the divine captor Liu behind.”

Several divine captors had long been eager, wanting nothing more than to find an opportunity to prove themselves, to increase the leverage for themselves or their allies. In an instant, they had left the Zhu Yi Building.

Watching their retreating figures, “Purple Roc Divine Captor” Liu Shengming’s expression changed several times before he finally sighed, “With just a few words, he has subdued this group of proud and arrogant individuals, making them sincerely follow orders, sweeping away the gloom and intrigue, and diligently working on the case. The Head Captor is truly remarkable!”

“Just now, your aura and demeanor were no less impressive than any previous head captor.”

At this point, he flattered with a smile, “For a moment, I almost thought it was Chief Captor Sima standing before me, no, even he couldn’t match the Head Captor. It took him a long time to subdue them all when he first arrived.”

Meng Qi smiled, “It was simply a matter of having the right timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony. I could awe them with authority and guide them with benefits—just like dangling a bundle of fresh grass in front of a donkey while holding a whip in hand. Naturally, the effect was excellent.”

Without the temptation of the head captor position, those old foxes would never have been so obedient!

“Everyone knows the principle, but few can accurately judge the situation. Achieving this, the Head Captor’s skill leaves me in awe,” Liu Shengming continued to flatter.

Meng Qi suppressed his light-hearted mood and asked seriously, “How exactly did the head captor disappear? Is the emperor’s sudden death definitely not suspicious?”

Liu Shengming smiled and replied, “Head Captor, please look at the relevant records here; I’ll explain as you read.”

He pointed to one of the two stacks of records on the table.

As Meng Qi flipped through the records, Liu Shengming explained, “The emperor indeed died suddenly. Alas, the art of replenishing essence requires that one must not become emotionally involved or indulge in pleasure, otherwise one’s essence will not be firmly sealed, leading to self-depletion and a breakdown. I repeatedly emphasized this to the emperor, but he treated it as mere wind in his ears. At first, he was cautious, but later became somewhat indulgent. Recently, he took a liking to a palace maid and made her his Mei Consort.”

“Perhaps he was emotionally involved but couldn’t bear to stop the replenishment practice, ultimately dying on Mei Consort’s lap. Alas, this incident nearly led to my suspicion. Fortunately, the emperor did not only obtain the replenishment techniques from me but also sought them from the Zhao Clan’s collection. At that time, he used the latter, so I was cleared of suspicion.”

As Meng Qi read the coroner’s records, he flipped through the pages and casually inquired, “Have you looked into Consort Mei?”

“Later records indicate that Consort Mei practices the Zhao family’s internal martial arts, possesses no seductive charm, and has never practiced any replenishment techniques,” Liu Shengming replied.

It seems there’s no problem with the emperor’s death. Once the Political Affairs Hall officially appoints me as the temporary head captor, I will question Mei Consort to verify the situation and make the final confirmation… Meng Qi nodded slightly, “When did Chief Captor Sima disappear?”

“He disappeared that same night when the emperor died suddenly. Chief Captor Sima received the news and rushed to the palace city to help deal with the matter, and has not been seen since,” Liu Shengming said with a tone full of confusion. “Prince Qin was guarding the palace city that night and did not see Chief Captor Sima arrive. The experts guarding the city walls and gates also did not detect the chief captor’s movements, as if he had not gone to the palace at all.”

“With Chief Captor Sima’s strength, the distance from Zhu Yi Building to the palace is just a few ‘steps’. Were there any traces of a fight along the way?” Meng Qi asked while reading the records.

“No, that night, due to the emperor’s sudden demise, the Shen Du Formation was fully activated by Chief Captor Sima, and no traces of any force capable of disturbing the heavens and earth were detected,” Liu Shengming pointed to a section of the records. “Given Chief Captor Sima’s power, even if a Dharma Body expert had lain in ambush, suppressing their presence to launch a surprise attack without disturbing the celestial forces, it would have been impossible for them to vanish without a trace unless… unless they departed of their own accord.”

He suspected that Sima Shi had done this himself, though his motives were difficult to guess.

“Not necessarily,” Meng Qi said softly with just two words.

“Not necessarily?” Liu Shengming could hardly think of any other possibilities.

Meng Qi turned to look at him and smiled, “You come from the Su Nu Sect; have you forgotten about items like the Two Yi Boundary Scarf?”

There are even higher-grade treasures like the Mountain and River Society Picture Scroll!

As long as they were pre-planted along the way, allowing Sima Shi to walk right into them, he could be ‘taken’ away without leaving any trace, because the main battlefield wouldn’t be here!

Liu Shengming was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile and said, “I’m not a core member of the Su Nu Sect; how would I know about such things as the Two Yi Boundary Scarf?”