Indeed, that day, Meng Qi slightly nodded, confirming his suspicion. Simashi was not a careless person who liked disorder. If given enough time, he would definitely restore the documents to their original order, placing the refined and summarized content on top for easy comprehension of the core information. Only if an unexpected incident occurred shortly after he finished reading would he leave them scattered on the desk like this.
The night after he read these documents, Simashi mysteriously disappeared. Could this be related?
Besides the emperor’s sudden death triggering subsequent events, another possibility now emerged.
“Why is there no follow-up to this report?” Meng Qi pointed at the document regarding the infiltration of the “Primordial Mother Monarch” sect.
Zu Cunshen’s expression was filled with concern: “This Wind-Catching agent used to periodically send reports detailing his observations. However, after he started reciting scriptures and praying, only the initial report was received, and all communication ceased afterward. My humble opinion suspects he has already met a tragic fate.”
Meng Qi lightly tapped the document with his right index finger: “Not necessarily a tragic fate. It could also be that he was bewitched by supernatural powers and became a true believer of the Primordial Mother Monarch sect.”
A deity capable of responding to prayers and recitations with healing is no ordinary being. The displayed power and lofty divinity naturally inspire deep devotion, gradually eroding one’s sense of self. Especially since the “Primordial Mother Monarch” might be a guise for the “Eternal Mother,” a deity revered by ancient cults known for their unparalleled ability to manipulate the hearts of people.
“Chief, your words are spot on.” Having thoroughly reviewed relevant intelligence, Zu Cunshen had encountered numerous similar cases. Many undercover agents and constables from the Wind-Catching unit initially infiltrated these cults for investigative purposes, only to later become devout followers themselves.
Meng Qi withdrew his right hand and looked at Zu Cunshen, who sat respectfully and cautiously: “What do you think should be done about this matter?”
Was the Chief actually seeking his opinion? Zu Cunshen felt honored and flattered. After a moment’s thought, he replied: “Your Honor, the heretical sects operate covertly among the common people, forcing us to restrain ourselves from taking decisive action for fear of harming innocents. Once spring comes, they will revive like embers reigniting. For the evil gods, the more believers they have and the more devout they are, the stronger their power becomes. If left unchecked, the situation will quickly spiral out of control. Therefore, we must show no leniency or hesitation, and strike with thunderous force.”
“First, identify several regions where cult activities are most rampant. Deploy elite forces from the capital and various provinces to purge the local Six Gates offices and implicated noble families, arresting the cult’s core leaders and devout followers. Once the central leadership is eliminated, the less committed commoners will quickly disperse like frightened birds and beasts, losing their cohesion. Under the pressures of daily life, they will gradually abandon their beliefs, ceasing to pose any further threat.”
“If they incite the populace to hide among them and resist arrest, we must not hesitate and are permitted to harm innocents.”
“Once the fiercest flames are subdued, other areas will inevitably be intimidated and retreat into hiding. Then, sustained efforts of suppression and patrols will be necessary, promptly eliminating every uncovered cult without delay.”
“Proceed immediately according to your plan. For this operation, you will operate under the authority of a counterfeit Golden Seal, with full command authority and taking orders only from me. You may mobilize all resources below the rank of Divine Captains. If successfully executed, the counterfeit Golden Seal shall be made genuine.”
(Note: I’ve made the following adjustments for natural English flow:
1. “Proceed” instead of “Preparations shall commence” for conciseness
2. “Counterfeit Golden Seal” as a more natural translation for 假金章
3. Adjusted verb tenses for consistency
4. “Made genuine” as a more idiomatic conclusion than literal “become real”)
“Meanwhile, draft an official document in my name to be circulated, making no reference to the disappearance of the Sima Chief, only stating that I am temporarily assuming his duties. Instruct all Six Gates offices in various prefectures and cities to guard against heretical sects and suppress unauthorized shrines. Include documentation from previous heretical sect disturbances so they fully comprehend the dangers and neither underestimate nor tolerate such activities.”
“Understood, Your Honor!” Zu Cunshen bowed: “I will ensure Six Gates offices in all prefectures and cities fully grasp the Chief’s intentions and raise their awareness of cult organizations.”
Meng Qi waved his hand: “This document serves two purposes: first, to deal with the heretical sects, and second, to minimize the impact of Chief Sima’s disappearance and prevent panic. As long as the constables see that our Six Gates continues to operate normally under the Chief’s command, proceeding steadily and methodically, they will follow suit and remain composed, preventing opportunists from taking advantage of the situation.”
Zu Cunshen’s eyes lit up, and he bowed again: “The Chief’s wisdom is unparalleled!”
Indeed, compared to the Chief, he was far behind. At their level, their perspectives and considerations were entirely about the overall situation.
As Zu Cunshen exited Zhu Yi Tower, Meng Qi began reviewing recent confidential intelligence—a major benefit of being Chief!
“A report states that after ‘Wild Blade’ Su Meng killed Haswula in the Ice Plains Demon Cave, ‘Single-Minded Sword’ Master Lu Da and ‘Heavenly Sword’ Su Wuming successively went there to investigate the cave, preventing the Demon Emperor’s Claw from reappearing and threatening the world. However, according to intelligence reports, Master Lu Da did not enter the core area and found nothing. When Su Wuming arrived, the cave had mysteriously vanished.”
This intelligence caught Meng Qi’s attention, greatly surprising him—the demon cave had disappeared!
Previously, he had suspected the cave was the resting place of the Demon Emperor’s Claw disciples, concealing the legendary weapon. It might be a realm akin to Jiuyou or the Demon World, transcending the current world. Thus, only projections related to oneself could be perceived. Unless one found the ‘door,’ only a Legend-ranked individual could access the core. In the present world, only Su Wuming could do so, yet the cave vanished just as he returned prematurely.
“That place was truly no simple matter. No wonder it bore the mark of the Overlord’s slash…” An image of the bloodstained ancient bronze coffin flashed through Meng Qi’s mind.
That evening, while reviewing various confidential reports, Meng Qi pondered what alias to choose, striving for perfection but always feeling dissatisfied.
…
The next morning, Meng Qi entered the palace with Liu Sheng Ming. Zhao Heng was suspicious and deliberately kept his distance, meeting briefly without deep conversation.
“Greetings, Chief!” Two Silver Seal Captains guarding a room bowed respectfully.
Dressed in a simple robe, Meng Qi stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the tightly closed door, slightly nodding: “Any unusual behavior from Mei Concubine?”
“Your Honor, apart from constant weeping, Mei Concubine has shown no other actions,” replied one Silver Seal Captain.
“Open the door,” Meng Qi ordered without further inquiry.
The magical seal was lifted, and with a creak, the door slowly opened, revealing the interior.
The room was not spacious but isolated from the surrounding areas. It had once been a late Crown Prince’s Buddhist meditation chamber and was now empty and desolate, with scattered furniture and an old bed.
Curled on the bed was a woman dressed in elaborate palace attire, vibrant in color, forming a stark contrast with her pale, lifeless demeanor and soft sobs.
Hearing the door open, she hastily struggled to sit up and turned her head. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, eyebrows like painted ink, a rare beauty. Yet now, her face was pale, streaked with tears, her eyes blurred with sorrow and self-pity.
“I am the newly appointed Chief of the Six Gates,” Meng Qi stated bluntly.
He did not close the door, demonstrating openness and honesty, avoiding palace rumors that might tarnish a martial hero’s reputation.
Mei Concubine tidied her disheveled hair and gracefully bowed: “Greetings, Chief.”
Meng Qi gestured for Liu Sheng Ming to hand her a transcript: “Please review this document. Are these your exact words?”
Mei Concubine accepted the transcript, carefully read it, and slightly nodded: “Nothing fabricated.”
Her voice was hoarse and weak, clearly from prolonged weeping.
“Any additions needed?” Meng Qi asked.
Mei Concubine thought briefly and shook her head: “None.”
“On the night of the emperor’s death, did he show any unusual behavior?” Meng Qi continued along his line of questioning.
Mei Concubine had a fiery red, plum-blossom-shaped birthmark on her forehead: “The emperor seemed to have encountered something wonderful, very happy and joyful.”
High spirits could easily lead to loss of control… Meng Qi asked further: “During the intimate moments, did you notice anything unusual or hear any sounds?”
Mei Concubine’s pale face suddenly flushed lightly. Lowering her head, she stammered: “I was overwhelmed with passion, feeling as if entering a celestial paradise, unable to hear other sounds or perceive anything else.”
Meng Qi glanced at the transcript, which recorded several eunuchs’ and palace maids’ testimonies describing Mei Concubine’s moans as enchantingly seductive, so captivating that the palace maids blushed and felt weak in the knees, corroborating her account of being lost in passion.
Moreover, Yuan Xin Yin’s perception confirmed that Mei Concubine’s emotions were genuine, indicating no falsehood.
After asking a few more questions without uncovering anything new, Meng Qi extended his right hand, placed it on Concubine Mei’s wrist, and channeled his inner energy to examine her body. He confirmed that she had not practiced any seductive techniques, nor did she possess any innate charm, with no abnormalities detected.
Lost in thought, Meng Qi stepped out of the room and casually asked Liu Sheng Ming: “Why was the emperor so happy that night?”
“According to the personal eunuch, the emperor’s cultivation of the absorption technique was highly effective, successfully harnessing the power of all living beings and nearing a breakthrough,” Liu Shengming added this detail absent from the transcript.
The emperor’s sudden death seemingly bore no abnormalities… Meng Qi frowned, ordered the Silver Seal Captains to close the door, and turned into the corridor.
At that moment, he noticed a dignified woman in white mourning attire, glaring hatefully at Mei Concubine from a hidden spot. Several palace maids and eunuchs surrounded her, indicating she was another concubine.
“Who is this?” Meng Qi’s gaze shifted to Liu Sheng Ming.
“This is Imperial Concubine Hua, the emperor’s former favorite. However, after becoming pregnant, Mei Concubine took advantage of her vulnerability,” Liu Sheng Ming whispered.
“Pregnant?” Meng Qi turned his gaze back to Imperial Concubine Hua.
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