Investigative Compass

After the four men from the Divine Constable Bureau arrived at Anyuan Town's yamen, Xu Tianlei greeted them with great enthusiasm.

Completely unlike how he had used his imposing presence to establish his authority before the crowd, he was now exceedingly amiable, smiling as he showered them with pleasantries.

The people from the Divine Constable Bureau, however, all acted aloof and indifferent.

Clearly, they did not regard Xu Tianlei highly, including the three whose martial cultivation was weaker than his.

Within the official system, martial cultivation was not all that important. Status and official rank were what mattered.

"You few, come with me to investigate the eastern side. Record every location we investigate."

One of the Divine Constable Bureau men came before Shi Yi, Zhao Cheng, and the others. He casually pointed out several people and spoke.

Then he took out a map of Anyuan Town and casually tossed it to one of them.

"Yes, sir."

Shi Yi and the others replied.

"Let's go!"

The Divine Constable Bureau men worked efficiently. Once they had selected their people, they immediately began moving.

The group watched as the man took out a peculiar compass. They did not know what sort of tool it was, but his eyes remained fixed on it, making it clear that it was some kind of investigative device.

Shi Yi looked toward Zhao Cheng, only to see him shake his head slightly as well. Evidently, he had never seen such a tool either.

The group walked through Anyuan Town.

As the Divine Constable Bureau man checked the compass, he asked about the precise locations of various places and had people mark the investigated points on the map.

The investigation continued until afternoon.

"That will do for today. Tomorrow, we will investigate outside the town. Gather at the yamen first, at the same time as today."

The Divine Constable Bureau men took the map marked with the investigated locations and strolled away.

Only then did the people who had joined the investigation disperse.

"The Divine Constable Bureau's investigative methods really are mystical. You simply cannot make heads or tails of them."

Zhao Cheng was returning to Anyang Martial Arts School with Shi Yi when he could not help saying this.

In their eyes, the Divine Constable Bureau men had merely walked and stopped, glanced at the compass in their hands, and asked for directions.

This was completely different from the method of searching every household one by one.

At first, everyone had thought they would take the opportunity to investigate whether fugitives or the like were hiding within Anyuan Town. Now, though, it seemed they had no such intention whatsoever.

"That compass was probably made by some eminent Daoist expert to search for Buddhist treasures. It truly broadened my horizons."

Zhao Cheng continued.

In truth, he was not the only one. Others had also formed their own guesses.

Such miraculous investigative methods were generally associated with Daoist immortals and extraordinary experts.

"This is also my first time seeing such an investigative method. It really is amazing."

Shi Yi agreed.

With his Double Pupils, he could see blue light flickering atop the compass. The man watched it as he walked, evidently checking whether the blue light was reacting.

Shi Yi guessed that once the compass detected a Buddhist treasure, the blue light would surely change.

That also reminded Shi Yi of the faint blue radiance he had once seen on the Bodhi seed. Clearly, it was connected to this.

The investigative methods of this world were even more formidable than he had imagined.

Fortunately, he had reacted swiftly and made many preparations. The Bodhi seed had not remained here at all. Otherwise, no matter how well he hid it, the Divine Constable Bureau men would have discovered it.

"Daoist experts possess special methods. At the rate the Divine Constable Bureau is investigating, they should finish within two days. That means we will have completed this assignment as well!"

Zhao Cheng had originally thought the assignment would last a long time, but judging from today's situation, it should not take many days. Their efficiency was far faster than he had expected.

Naturally, that was also a good thing for them.

No one liked having the Divine Constable Bureau remain in Anyuan Town for long. Their presence brought immense pressure.

Even the three major gangs within Anyuan Town did not dare openly fight over territory at this time, afraid that the Divine Constable Bureau might take offense and sweep them all away in one fell stroke.

Though people stood behind those gangs, they did not dare act recklessly before the Divine Constable Bureau. The people backing them were also afraid of drawing the Divine Constable Bureau's attention.

"Senior Brother Zhao, are Divine Constable Bureau personnel investigating the nearby towns and villages too?"

Shi Yi suddenly asked.

Seeing how efficiently these people worked, they clearly were not conducting such investigations for the first time.

"As far as I know, the Divine Constable Bureau had previously focused its investigation around the Dan River."

"For some reason, though, they suddenly began spreading out to investigate the areas surrounding the Dan River."

"At first, when we were assisting with the investigation here, I thought we were merely cooperating with the yamen's people. I never expected the Divine Constable Bureau men to come personally."

"Still, judging by how much fanfare the Divine Constable Bureau is making, the lost Buddhist treasure must be very important."

Zhao Cheng lowered his voice and spoke slowly.

He had learned some details from his father, but not much. There were some matters his father had not told him.

For instance, that the Divine Constable Bureau would personally send people here this time.

Zhao Cheng did not know whether his father was aware of this, but he knew that his father would never harm him.

"Let's go. We should head back and tell Master about what happened today."

Zhao Cheng led Shi Yi and quickened his pace.

He needed to inform Lu Feng of this matter as well, and see whether he could learn more.

Zhao Cheng knew very well that although his master appeared to do nothing but drink tea in the martial arts school every day and rarely involved himself in affairs, he was exceptionally well informed. Perhaps he knew more.

The two quickened their pace and headed toward Anyang Martial Arts School.

Anyuan Town Yamen.

"My lord, the Divine Constable Bureau men investigated within the town today, but they did not enter any households. Tomorrow, they want us to accompany them in investigating outside the town. The Divine Constable Bureau men have all left Anyuan Town now and said they will return tomorrow morning."

Xu Tianlei reported the day's events to Zhu Zhuoyu, the Town Magistrate of Anyuan Town.

He had gone along both to help and to keep an eye on the Divine Constable Bureau men.

The Town Magistrate Zhu Zhuoyu was worried that the Divine Constable Bureau men might have other intentions, which was why he had arranged things this way.

"Looks like I was overthinking it!"

"Continue cooperating properly with the Divine Constable Bureau men tomorrow."

"Also, give the people in town a warning. Tell them I do not want anyone causing trouble at such a critical juncture."

"If anyone wants to make things difficult for me, then I will make things even more difficult for them."

Upon hearing this, a thoughtful expression appeared on Zhu Zhuoyu's kindly face before he spoke.

There was a trace of ruthlessness in his tone.

Zhu Zhuoyu's face looked kindly, but his heart was anything but.

"Rest assured, my lord. I already warned them today. Later, I will arrange for people to remind them again."

Xu Tianlei replied solemnly.

He knew only too well that the various forces in Anyuan Town were locked in conflict. Though the situation appeared chaotic, Zhu Zhuoyu had a hand in it.

Zhu Zhuoyu did not want any one force in town to become dominant, for that would not benefit him. Only when multiple forces fought one another could Zhu Zhuoyu maintain his detached position.

Should an opportunity arise for him to rise another step in the future, he could use this to produce sufficient political achievements.

Zhu Zhuoyu's results in the imperial examinations had been poor back then, and he had been caught up in the turmoil of the officialdom. He could only remain in Anyuan Town, but he had no desire to be trapped here for the rest of his life.

"Mm. You have been busy all day as well. Go back and rest."

Zhu Zhuoyu waved his hand as he spoke.

"What a pity the lost Buddhist treasure was by the Dan River. Otherwise, the credit for finding it could have allowed me to forge ties with the Divine Constable Bureau."

"As long as I have a suitable recommender, I can free myself from my current predicament."

After Xu Tianlei left, Zhu Zhuoyu let out a long sigh.