Qu Hui Division

"Don't go running around these few days. Your second uncle will probably come looking for you again. And... the matter in Qihetan Town might not be over either."

"Are you talking about the Pingtian Society?"

Stepmother shook her head. "The Pingtian Society might not be able to find you for a while. But with such a big incident and so many deaths, the Qu Hui Division will definitely investigate."

Xu Yuan nodded.

The Qu Hui Division was under the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

It was Huangming's department specifically for investigating and handling all sorts of Malevolent Spirits and Strange occurrences.

Along with the Monster Extermination Army and the Shanhe Division, they were known as Huangming's "Three Bureaus of Strange Affairs."

There was some overlap in their jurisdictions—a common situation among Huangming's various departments, leading to frequent bickering. When there were benefits, everyone rushed in; when there was trouble, they all passed the buck.

The Shanhe Division belonged to the Canal Administration and was responsible for resolving all Strange incidents related to the canal, ensuring its smooth operation to the greatest extent.

Of the three, only the Qu Hui Division was truly established for Malevolent Spirits, and naturally, it was more specialized.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau's power had been rapidly expanding for the past two hundred years.

And their biggest task each year was to compile the "Almanac"!

After dinner, Xu Yuan voluntarily washed the dishes.

Stepmother returned to her room and told Xu Yuan, "Get to sleep early. You're still staying in your room; I've made your bed."

Xu Yuan called out to her, a playful grin on his face, "Help me with something."

"Go ahead."

Xu Yuan took out the Three-eyed Hand Cannon and the Secret Machine Cannon Powder Formula. "Can you fix this? And make some cannon powder while you're at it."

Lin Wanmo's eyes showed a hint of displeasure as she looked at the Three-eyed Hand Cannon. However, for Xu Yuan's sake, she picked it up and fiddled with it a few times. Upon seeing the name "Chen Wutong" on it, she frowned almost imperceptibly.

Xu Yuan then took out Saint Aunt's hammer. "I won't have you work for free. This is for you."

Stepmother had no illusions about what "rebellious son" would give her—look at the first gift she received, a hammer.

She glanced at it casually, her eyes lighting up as she recognized its extraordinary nature. She couldn't help but take it and examine it closely.

"A very good Artisan Cultivator's artifact. It's more than enough for use before the Sixth Flow." She then accepted it without any pretense.

This item was like casting pearls before swine in Saint Aunt's hands; she lacked the skill to unleash its capabilities.

"This firearm can be repaired, but I'm not very skilled in this area. It will take a few days," Stepmother agreed. As for the Secret Machine Cannon Powder Formula, she only gave it a cursory glance before inwardly becoming wary. "What are you doing with this stuff?"

She had just warned you not to tamper with cannon powder Inner Pills again.

Xu Yuan tapped the Three-eyed Firearm on the table. "It's for this."

"Really?"

Xu Yuan said impatiently, "Can't you make it?"

"Heh!" Stepmother let out a cold laugh. What difficulty could this possibly pose?

But Stepmother genuinely thought it was meant to be paired with the Three-eyed Firearm and never imagined that this type of cannon powder was for a Crafted Cannon.

Lin Wanmo wasn't skilled in crafting firearms and cannons, which led to her mistake.

However, Lin Wanmo wouldn't make a large amount for Xu Yuan, perhaps only enough for about twenty shots.

Even if this brat continued to strengthen his cannon powder Inner Pills behind her back, the harm would be limited.

"Then I'll be waiting." Xu Yuan wasn't in a hurry for the two items, and they both returned to their rooms to rest.

Xu Yuan's sheets and bedding were all freshly washed. Lying down brought a sense of comfort, a world of difference compared to the broken wooden plank with straw padding in Qihetan Town.

"Home is still the best," Xu Yuan sighed in relief. After resting for a while, he took out the iron box.

It contained a full twenty pounds of cannon powder.

Xu Yuan consumed it all as Bait/Food in one go.

The Inner Pill, which had been only the size of a mung bean, rapidly grew to the size of a longan.

He estimated that its characteristics would be usable for about fifteen times.

However, if he wanted to increase its power, that was another story.

The city nights were much "quieter" than the town. Throughout the night, Xu Yuan only heard two unusual sounds.

As soon as dawn broke, the entrances to the east and west alleys became lively.

Uncle Mao Si had tidied up and opened his shop early, displaying the various small furniture he had made at the entrance.

Aunt Wang's stewed dish shop was doing brisk business at this hour. Two large basins of stewed dishes were placed at the entrance, with a stove burning underneath, emitting a bubbling steam.

Next to them was a large basket filled with freshly baked flatbreads.

A portion of stew and four flatbreads cost only fifteen wen. Laborers and porters flocked to eat.

Xu Yuan slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up. He glanced at the Almanac on the wall; today's prohibitions were: night travel, bathing, sacrifices, and temple construction.

No wonder Stepmother hadn't called him up.

Normally, I would have gone to pay respects at my father's grave today, but sacrifices are forbidden today.

Xu Yuan wiped his face with a damp cloth, not daring to actually wash it.

Bathing is forbidden—I should still be cautious.

Just as he finished tidying up, someone knocked on the door: "Is anyone home? We're looking for Xu Yuan."

Xu Yuan went to open the door. Outside stood a bailiff, followed by a man and a woman.

Xu Yuan's gaze lingered for a moment on the man.

This man's Fate Imprint was a dazzling gold:

The Taiyin Guarding Fate Imprint!

This person was naturally suited for the Qu Hui Division.

The bailiff looked extremely reluctant. No one from the yamen wanted to come to River Worker Alley.

"I am Xu Yuan. What is it?"

The bailiff stepped aside: "These two officials are looking for you."

The two wore black satin sword-sleeved robes, with dragon patterns embroidered in red silk thread on the collars and cuffs. The only difference was that the man's cuffs had three cloud patterns, while the woman's had only two.

Almost everyone in Huangming would recognize this: it was the uniform of the Qu Hui Division. Their identities were self-evident.

Xu Yuan secretly thought his Stepmother had predicted correctly; they had come quickly.

The man took the lead among the two. He pointed to the courtyard: "Let's go inside and talk."

The bailiff stood at the doorway, smiling obsequiously: "My lords, then I..."

The man didn't make things difficult for him and waved his hand: "You're no longer needed. You can return to the yamen."

The bailiff bowed and quickly left.

Xu Yuan welcomed them in. In the main hall, he pretended to offer tea to his guests, but he couldn't find any tea leaves no matter how hard he looked.

The man said: "No need to trouble yourself. We're just here to ask a few questions and then we'll leave."

Xu Yuan also sat down: "Please, sir, ask away."

The man, however, proceeded methodically. He first took out paper and brush from his sleeve and arranged them on the table in order, not daring to disturb the sequence. He was preparing to take notes.

Then, from another sleeve, he took out his waist token: "Please take a look. This is my identity token."

"I am Fu Jingyu, a Third-Class Shifting Mountain Captain from the Southern Command of Jiaozhi's Qu Hui Division."

He then beckoned to the woman accompanying him: "Song Lu, show him your token too."

Song Lu reluctantly took hers out.

Then Fu Jingyu asked Xu Yuan: "Have you verified it?"

Xu Yuan: "Verified. The identities of both of you are in order."

"Good." Fu Jingyu put away his token, picked up his brush, and began to ask questions: "Xu Yuan, how did Qiao Zi'ang die?"

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