Investigation

The Goatee Cultivator thought about it more and more, and the possibility seemed higher.

He also felt that the Five Spirits Sect Cultivator's departure was so decisive, which likely meant the item he was looking for wasn't too important.

What wasn't important to a high-ranking cultivator was much more important to rogue cultivators like them.

Currently, he was still using a Low-Grade Robe and lacked powerful offensive weapons.

This was also why he coveted the Sword Hairpin Magic Tool.

As long as he possessed a Mid-Grade Magic Tool, he would have the capital for Cross-Rank Combat. Even with only Qi Condensation Fifth Layer cultivation, he could command influence in the Hall of Offerings.

It was a pity that all the rogue cultivators wanted that Mid-Grade Sword Hairpin, which instead kept the Sword Hairpin safely in the Treasure Vault.

Now that there was another clue, the Goatee Cultivator felt he needed to investigate.

Even if the final item wasn't satisfactory, it would still fulfill a long-held wish.

It would prevent him from being constantly bothered by it.

Stepping out of his room, the Goatee Cultivator headed straight for the small building where Lu Chengyi resided.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed a rare visitor."

Lu Chengyi cupped his hands, seemingly unsurprised by the Goatee Cultivator's arrival.

Zhou Liang stroked his goatee and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Lu is busy, so I didn't want to disturb you."

The two exchanged smiles but didn't engage in much pleasantries.

After all, they were both Great Liang Enshrinements and had known each other for a long time.

Those who could become Qi Cultivators as ordinary people were not foolish.

Smart people were easier to deal with.

Just the intention of his visit was enough to understand many things.

"I wonder how Fellow Daoist Lu came to know that high-ranking member of the Five Spirits Sect?" Zhou Liang steered the conversation back to Mo Qi, wanting to glean more information from Old Man Lu.

Old Man Lu clasped his hands and smiled gently, "Fellow Daoist Zhou wants to know what exactly Fellow Daoist Mo was looking for, right?"

Zhou Liang was slightly startled, then burst into laughter, "I still can't hide anything from you, Old Ox-Nose."

"That's right, I want to know what that high-ranking member was looking for that was worth him traveling half a month to the Liang Capital while heavily injured."

Old Man Lu shook his head, "I don't know, but it should be related to the Demonic Cultivator."

"We thoroughly examined the Demonic Cultivator's corpse, and there's no way there could be any secrets hidden within it. This means it should be an item."

He wasn't foolish either, and he stated his conjecture while observing Meng Liang's reaction.

Zhou Liang showed no reaction, his expression normal.

It seemed Zhou Liang had also analyzed it, or even if he hadn't fully analyzed it, he had roughly sensed something.

Otherwise, Zhou Liang wouldn't have come to find him at this critical juncture. He was likely hoping to get some useful information from him.

Or perhaps Zhou Liang himself suspected that he had taken the item.

"Did you really not take the item, old brother?" Zhou Liang's gaze fixed on Old Man Lu, asking his true question as if in jest.

Old Man Lu didn't argue, but instead gave Zhou Liang a meaningful look.

This immediately made Zhou Liang uncomfortable, and the smile on his face also faded considerably.

Saying goodbye hastily, Zhou Liang went straight to the courtyard where the Daoist Acolytes gathered.

"Find the Daoist Acolyte who welcomed the two Enshrinements and handled the Demonic Cultivator's corpse last month."

This matter had actually been asked in front of Mo Qi once before, but Zhou Liang felt the need to hear it again.

The acolyte recounted the events of that day again.

There was no difference, and in front of so many people, Old Man Lu indeed hadn't put anything away.

Of course, even if he had put something away, with Old Man Lu's Qi Condensation Sixth Layer strength, they wouldn't dare to confront him and demand it.

Since he didn't even hide the Mid-Grade Sword Hairpin, it indicated that he most likely didn't take it.

Dismissing the acolyte, Zhou Liang frowned and walked towards his own courtyard.

He thought about it all night.

He didn't sleep or meditate the entire night.

He was pulling at his goatee so much it felt like it would come off.

He didn't know how many hairs he had pulled out.

He sat at his desk, writing and drawing, transcribing what the acolyte had recounted.

At the same time, he listed the people who had appeared.

He also used lines to describe the relationships between the characters.

Until the eastern sky began to lighten slightly, and the morning glow flickered.

Zhou Liang suddenly slapped his head.

He suddenly understood.

A month ago, a battle occurred, resulting in injuries to the high-ranking members of the Five Spirits Sect. Subsequently, people from the Imperial Court transported the bodies back.

Their Storage Talismans and Magic Tools were not lost.

But what if, when clearing the battlefield at the time, someone thought they were good items and pocketed them?

Treasures often conceal themselves, to the extent of being mistaken for ordinary gold and silver.

Furthermore, so many people had already been investigated. Which group of people who had come into contact with the treasure hadn't been investigated yet?

Only the Imperial Court personnel who transported the bodies back remained.

Having thought of this, Zhou Liang threw what he had written into a brazier to burn, changed his clothes, and left the pavilion.

He didn't head straight for the Southern Bureau of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but went to the Market District instead.

First, he ate breakfast by the roadside, drank his fill of soup, and then went to a teahouse for morning tea.

He delayed for a long time.

Until he had shaken off the tails behind him.

He arrived at the teahouse later.

Listening to the storyteller recount wondrous and peculiar tales.

He spoke of Immortals soaring high and low, earning applause from the scattered audience.

Meng Liang smiled.

Even he, a Qi Cultivator, didn't fully understand the world of Cultivators.

These so-called wondrous tales were mostly fabrications.

Most were about poor lads who stumbled upon opportunities, soaring to great heights, even traveling the vast world with beautiful companions.

Meng Liang flipped his hand, took out a silver needle, pricked his index finger, and squeezed out a drop of fresh blood onto a yellow talisman paper.

He immediately folded the talisman paper into a crude paper figure, which he hid under the table.

He threw down ten copper coins and left the teahouse.

Meng Liang looked back. He didn't know who was following him, but this small trick of Aura Transfer, a substitute technique, was enough to delay the Cultivator behind him.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard at the Southern Bureau were on duty.

The Fat Centurion nervously came out to greet him: "Immortal Master, please don't be offended. This humble one just received the news."

"It's fine." The thin, tall Cultivator with a goatee stopped the Fat Centurion's apologies and immediately asked, "Do you know who escorted the bodies of the Immortal Masters from the Hall of Offerings back?"

The Fat Centurion was stunned for a moment and asked in a small, uncertain voice, "The incident from a month ago?"

His posture was very humble.

"Correct." Zhou Liang nodded, his eyes brightening.

This Centurion actually remembered that day's events. It seemed he was indeed deeply impressed.

While it didn't prove anything, having information was good.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on the Fat Centurion's forehead. He muttered to himself, feeling panicked.

Could it be because Old Man Xiang escorted the Immortal Masters' bodies and gained some favor?

Now that the Immortal Master had free time, was he going to teach him a lesson?

If that were the case, offending Old Man Xiang was greatly unwise.

But who would have thought Old Man Xiang had an Immortal Master as his background?

"Is there a problem?"

Seeing the Fat Centurion sweating profusely, Zhou Liang couldn't help but frown.

This person was too weak. He was just asking questions, how could he be so scared?

And he seemed to have no Internal Qi, completely a mortal.

Although he was scared, and even wanted to run away on the spot, the Fat Centurion still stammered, "N-no, no, I don't know what the Immortal Master Lord wants to ask about?"

Meng Liang found it even more peculiar. Not wanting to delay important matters, he repeated more specifically, "Who were the people who escorted the bodies back? Is there a roster?"

"Yes."

"Come, bring the roster of the Embroidered Uniform Guards who escorted the Immortal Masters' bodies a month ago."

With a simple command, the Embroidered Uniform Guard beside him quickly went to retrieve the roster.

There were twenty-five people in total. Only twenty returned, with five soldiers having died.

Meng Liang noted down the addresses of the remaining twenty people. Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by the Fat Centurion.

The Fat Centurion looked at Meng Liang with trepidation and cautiously asked, "Immortal Master Lord, do you know Old Man Xiang and the others?"

Meng Liang didn't think much of it and instead reprimanded, "Things you shouldn't know, don't try to know."

After the Immortal Master left, the Fat Centurion plopped down onto the ground.

He couldn't help but wonder if he had truly caused a great disaster?

Whether they knew each other or not, if they ended up forming a connection and Old Man Xiang reported him, wouldn't his life be in danger?

Although it seemed the Immortal Master didn't know Old Man Xiang, it was better to be safe than sorry.