It was no surprise that the current Emperor of Jin Dynasty suddenly died while indulging in sexual cultivation techniques. However, the disappearance of Sima Shi, the chief investigator of the Six Gates, was quite astonishing. He was a half-step Dharma-body expert, one of the most powerful martial artists in the realm, partially controlling the Grand Formation of the Imperial Capital. The Six Gates headquarters, the Vermilion Robe Mansion, was heavily guarded. Unless he left voluntarily, it would take at least a Dharma-body expert at the Human Immortal level to stage a secret attack to make him vanish without a trace.
Whether voluntary or involuntary, his disappearance was extremely mysterious and enough to shake the entire world!
As these thoughts flashed through Meng Qi’s mind, his expression gradually relaxed, and he smiled: “With changes occurring in the Imperial Capital, someone might try to take advantage of the chaos. I wish to return home to ensure my family’s safety.”
He knew his master was concerned about Su Zi Yue, the sole heir of the Tang Clan, so he volunteered to go, taking the opportunity to visit Uncle Zhao and congratulate him on his imminent ascension to the throne, hoping to benefit from his good fortune!
He really hadn’t done anything, yet he was struck by this unexpected opportunity!
“Very well then, so be it,” Xuan Bei said, his expression also relaxing slightly.
…
Riding the wind, Meng Qi swiftly traveled thousands of miles and arrived at the Imperial Capital early in the morning. He entered the city without difficulty.
Two or three days had passed before the news reached Shaolin. By then, the Grand Formation of the Imperial Capital had dropped from a half-activated state, with a certain time lag in responding to the manipulation of cosmic forces.
Walking along the main street, Meng Qi strolled slowly and arrived at the Six Gates headquarters, an old garden, by mid-afternoon.
Towering trees surrounded the garden, sheltering numerous small buildings, some green, some vermilion, simple and plain. However, inside, the investigators rushed about quickly, their expressions anxious, often whispering to each other.
The disappearance of the chief investigator was unprecedented for the Six Gates, how could they not be alarmed and worried?
Since its establishment, the Six Gates had relied on the Zhao Clan of the Imperial Capital. The chief investigator was always a formidable expert, with subordinates spread across the country, deeply embedded in every province, prefecture, and city, controlling vast intelligence networks and secrets. It was a powerful entity, one of the cornerstones of imperial rule. Being part of such an organization, the investigators naturally felt proud and secure.
Even after the royal family’s failed collusion with the Luo Sect, which led to restrictions from top aristocratic families, the investigators didn’t feel as panicked because the chief investigator remained, and the aristocrats merely inserted spies without shaking the Six Gates’ foundation. Now, even the chief investigator had disappeared, how could they not fear for their own safety?
From top to bottom, the Six Gates seemed to have lost its backbone, everyone living in fear, fearing that the Six Gates had provoked a terrifying enemy who might first take the chief investigator and eventually destroy the entire organization. They feared that the top aristocratic families would seize the opportunity to dismantle the Six Gates, fearing hidden dangers and turbulent times that could lead to the fall of the Jin Dynasty, leaving no intact nests in a collapsing situation.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere, like dark clouds, hung over the Six Gates headquarters. Investigators ran around chaotically, the compound noisy and disorganized, no longer the tightly controlled, orderly place Meng Qi had previously known.
“What a big change…” Meng Qi sighed; the morale and spirit here were completely in disarray.
A golden seal hung at his waist, his hands naturally hanging down as he steadily approached the garden.
Two green-robed investigators guarded the garden entrance, while nearby buildings housed purple-robed and silver-insignia investigators. They frequently glanced toward the garden’s center, their expressions anxious and uneasy.
Suddenly, footsteps reached the ears of the two green-robed investigators, snapping them back to attention as they turned toward the front they were supposed to guard vigilantly, their expressions showing panic and tension.
Then, they beheld a face both handsome and rugged, clad in a pale cyan robe—a man whose restrained and inscrutable presence exuded an innate heroism, with a golden seal hanging at his waist.
“Golden insignia…” They instinctively saluted, shrinking back slightly.
Before their words finished, they suddenly realized, this was the famous expert they had heard about!
“Master Su…” They both spoke simultaneously, then abruptly stopped.
“Raging Blade” Su Meng was a golden-insignia investigator of the Six Gates?
Although there had long been rumors that “Raging Blade” Su Meng had close ties with the Six Gates, possibly even working as a covert agent, considering the Su Clan’s existence, people generally accepted it as natural. Yet, seeing and truly knowing made a big difference, still shocking them greatly.
Could his golden seal have been stolen?
As if perceiving their thoughts, Meng Qi removed the golden seal from his waist and handed it to them for inspection.
Returning to the Imperial Capital this time, he came openly, without hiding or fear of exposure.
With his current strength and status, plus the Seven Killings Stele and Spirit Treasure Blade in his possession, if he still dared not act openly, how could he cultivate an invincible aura and a formidable will?
He was no assassin or killer, nor someone accustomed to hiding in the shadows. Now, he had the confidence to bear the consequences of acting openly!
Besides, it might even allow him to set a trap!
One green-robed investigator took the golden seal, carefully examined it, and after confirming its authenticity, returned it with both hands, bowing deeply, filled with both surprise and joy:
“Honoring Golden-Insignia Investigator Su!”
The other green-robed investigator followed suit, his voice loud:
“Honoring Golden-Insignia Investigator Su!”
They never expected their own Six Gates to have a “Grand Master,” a powerful expert nearly as formidable as the chief investigator, capable of killing an Outer Manifestation Peak expert wielding a divine weapon at the seventh or eighth Heaven level!
In an instant, their panic, fear, and tension eased significantly, as if they had found a new backbone, their salute coming from the heart.
Their voices carried to nearby investigators, drawing many curious glances.
Meng Qi reattached the golden seal and suddenly asked: “You kept glancing at the Vermilion Robe Mansion earlier, has something happened?”
His first stop upon returning to the Imperial Capital was the Six Gates headquarters to gather more intelligence, to avoid being deceived blindly.
The two green-robed investigators’ expressions slightly changed, and after a while, they replied: “Golden-Insignia Investigator Su’s insight is sharp. The Imperial Prince and the two Chancellors from the Council of State Affairs have arrived at the Vermilion Robe Mansion, summoning the Eight Divine Investigators, likely to appoint a new chief investigator.”
Zhao Heng had not yet ascended the throne.
“I see,” Meng Qi nodded slightly and stepped through the garden gate toward the Vermilion Robe Mansion.
Meeting Uncle Zhao directly was also fine!
Along the way, numerous investigators saluted him with a mix of surprise, uncertainty, and hidden joy, the sound of “Honoring Golden-Insignia Investigator Su” never ceasing.
…
Inside the Vermilion Robe Mansion, the “Flying Dragon Divine Investigator” Zhao Ming Che, the “Dragon Claw Divine Investigator” Ke Yu Zhang, and the other six Divine Investigators gathered together. With the chief investigator’s disappearance, the few Divine Investigators who were on patrol outside returned to the Imperial Capital within three days through emergency methods.
Above them, Zhao Heng wore a bright yellow robe, with golden dragons coiling around him, his demeanor calm and composed, sitting centrally. On either side were two chairs, occupied by Cui Yan, the Left Assistant Chancellor and head of the Pingjin Cui Clan, and Song Shou Ren, the Right Assistant Chancellor and head of the Luyang Song Clan. They represented the Council of State Affairs.
After two or three days of communication and negotiation, when the issue of appointing a new chief investigator was formally raised in the morning court session, the Council of State Affairs quickly reached a consensus.
For the top aristocratic families, although they had loosened their control over the Zhao Clan of the Imperial Capital for the overall interest, none were willing to fall behind. They all strived to become new Dharma-body families. Thus, when it came to seizing interests and restraining the Zhao family, they showed no hesitation, secretly colluding and forming a powerful trend, successfully wresting the position of chief investigator from the Zhao family!
“The Six Gates are a vital national instrument, and cannot be without leadership…” Cui Yan spoke a lot of nonsense, then bowed: “Please appoint a new chief investigator.”
Upon hearing this, the Eight Divine Investigators reacted differently. Those who had long allied with aristocratic families like the Ruan, Wang, and Sima clans, such as Liu Sheng Ming, Su Yue, and Yuan Li Huo, appeared relaxed, seemingly indifferent, knowing they had no chance. Zhao Jing Yue and Zhao Ming Che, the two Divine Investigators from the Zhao Clan of the Imperial Capital, looked gloomy, their eyes lowered. Meanwhile, Ming Bi Kong, Ke Yu Zhang, and Li Dong, the three Divine Investigators who had also allied with aristocratic families, exchanged glances, their fists clenched, showing some tension.
With sufficient strength and backing from top aristocratic families, they all hoped to become the chief investigator, depending on how the major families negotiated and exchanged favors secretly. The latter two had only returned less than an hour ago and were still unaware of the Council of State Affairs’ discussion results, naturally feeling tense.
Hearing Cui Yan’s words, Zhao Heng suddenly gripped the armrests tightly, closing his eyes briefly, recalling the events of that morning.
In the Council of State Affairs, he hadn’t even had a chance to speak, watching helplessly as they reached a consensus and decided on the chief investigator. Previously, as a prince and imperial heir, he hadn’t felt it deeply, but now he finally understood the depression and struggle his father and elder brother had experienced—the indescribable humiliation and frustration!
After the discussion, he sought out “Prince Qin” Zhao Jing Shi, his voice filled with suppressed anger: “Uncle, with Cui Qing He fallen, the world was no longer theirs to dominate. In terms of strength, our Zhao family surpasses any other. Why did you yield so much?”
Zhao Jing Shi looked at him deeply: “But we cannot match their combined strength. The current priority is attaining the Dharma-body. Whichever family attains it first will control the situation. Before then, we must consider the overall situation and learn to endure.”
Considering the overall situation and learning to endure… Zhao Heng silently repeated these eight words, opened his eyes, and spoke loudly: “‘Silver-Hand Divine Investigator’ Ming Bi Kong possesses great strength, high prestige, and numerous achievements, making him suitable as the chief investigator.”
Ming Bi Kong was a tall, thin old man with white hair and beard, yet full of vigor. Upon hearing this, he stepped forward, knelt, and thanked the prince. Ke Yu Zhang and Li Dong secretly felt disappointed and frustrated. If they hadn’t been away, they might have had a better chance at the chief investigator position instead of Ming Bi Kong!
At that moment, all the Grandmaster-level figures suddenly felt something and turned their heads toward the entrance, where a man in a green robe walked in.
Only now did they realize his arrival!
“Raging Blade Su Meng!” Various voices, low or loud, exclaimed.
Cui Yan and Song Shou Ren were first surprised, then calmed down. The former asked: “Nephew Su, what brings you to the Six Gates?”
Meng Qi looked around, noticing Zhao Heng’s still-clenched hands on the armrests, then smiled broadly: “I have come to recommend myself.”
“No one is more suitable for the position of chief investigator than me!”
His words shocked everyone present. Cui Yan and Song Shou Ren’s chests heaved, and they exclaimed in unison:
“How dare you!”
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