Thunderclap and Fire, Divine Eye Investigates in Secret

Huang Tairen, Commander of the Demon Extermination Hall, looked at the envelope in his hand and opened it slightly to read the contents.

His brows furrowed slightly. "Is there a problem with the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"

He cast his gaze to the side, where a figure stood in the darkness.

"Have you investigated the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"

"It has already been investigated."

"Behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion is a steward from the Fang Clan, the main family of Fang Yuqing."

"This steward was born into the Fang Clan and holds considerable power within the family."

"The man is disciplined and law-abiding, focused purely on making money."

"However, the women in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion have all sorts of connections."

"If there is a problem, I suspect it lies with these women."

"Go and investigate thoroughly, and arrange for some people to monitor the place."

"Especially those who have had contact with Wen Taiquan; you must uncover the identities of all of them."

"Yes."

The figure vanished into the darkness, and Huang Tairen's expression turned slightly grim.

For the past few days, he and the Prefect, Fang Qingyu, had been secretly deploying troops and increasing patrols throughout the city.

The yamen runners and officials were working three shifts over twelve hours, patrolling the city's streets and alleys and searching countless inns and private residences.

Nominally, this was to hunt for a notorious bandit who had broken into the city, but in reality, they were secretly documenting anyone suspicious.

He had mobilized ten cultivators from the Dark Division of the Demon Extermination Hall to follow behind these runners and observe them from the shadows.

They were weeding out those among the runners and officials who might be compromised.

At the same time, they were secretly searching for enemy soldiers and unknown cultivators hiding within Jade City.

In these few days, they had gathered a significant amount of information, the contents of which left him somewhat alarmed.

Just among those already discovered, there were over 300 suspected Northern Barbarian soldiers, and more than eight unregistered cultivators.

Although they were hiding well, they still exposed their tracks before the cultivators of the Dark Division, who were experts in investigation.

"Wang Jie, you are truly unworthy of being a court official, disregarding the Emperor's grace."

"To think you would dare to bite the hand that feeds you and collude with the Blood Demon Sect."

"I will surely make you die a miserable death."

Huang Tairen's eyes were icy, appearing exceptionally ferocious under the dim light.

Faintly, a patch of darkness seemed to be twisting behind his back, a darkness that appeared to stem from his own power.

At night, Elder Huang closed the final dossier and looked at Li Qing, who was lying on a recliner reading a book.

He said in a calm voice, "Li Qing, lad, come here. I have something to tell you."

Li Qing frowned and rolled to his feet.

He walked over in a few steps and sat on the stool beside Elder Huang, asking with a face full of confusion.

"Elder Huang, what is it?"

Elder Huang looked at Li Qing, a trace of a sigh appearing on his face.

He reached into his sleeve and produced a box; the box was pitch black and seemed to possess some peculiarity.

He opened the box to reveal a black, thumb-sized sphere inside.

"I want to give you something. This item is called a Thunderbolt Fire Bead."

"It is an artifact crafted by the Gongshu Clan of the Hundred Schools of Thought."

"This thing possesses peerless power; a single explosion can destroy everything within a radius of three zhang."

"Its power is comparable to a single strike from a cultivator at the first level of the True Method Realm."

"I do not know how many people will be affected by this current affair, nor do I know how many will survive or what kind of dangers we might encounter."

"Originally, I promised to help you secure four spiritual herbs so you could cultivate your life-saving technique."

"But due to the Commander's concerns, I fear that matter can only be delayed."

"Consider this Thunderbolt Fire Bead my compensation to you."

"Although you and I have only known each other for a little over half a month,"

"I have seen your character with my own eyes; you are definitely not a member of the Blood Demon Sect."

"You may accept this item."

Li Qing looked at Elder Huang's sincere face, his brows furrowing as he spoke.

"This won't do. If I accept this, what will you do if you encounter danger?"

Elder Huang chuckled softly, "I am, after all, a Body Strengthening cultivator; I am quite a bit stronger than you."

"I also have five spells at my disposal; it won't be so easy for anyone to kill me."

"At the very least, I am stronger than you, so take it."

"My mistake naturally requires me to make amends, and besides, I have other means of self-preservation."

"You don't need to worry about me; just focus on protecting yourself."

Li Qing looked at Elder Huang's solemn expression, opened his mouth, and finally gave a slight nod.

"Alright."

He accepted the jade box, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Once this matter is settled, I'll host at the Yellow Flower Pavilion, and the Pear Blossom Brew will be on me until you've had your fill."

"Hahaha, deal!" Elder Huang's face lit up with a smile.

At the residence of Prefect Fang Qingyu, a figure appeared silently.

"Why have you come quietly again?" Fang Qingyu said with a touch of helplessness.

Huang Tairen's voice rang out, "There's no help for it; there are too many people watching."

"I intentionally stirred the grass to startle the snake last time; what have you gained on your end?"

Fang Qingyu's expression turned cold, "I've found three suspected spies."

"Fei Yangming is among them."

Huang Tairen's brows knit together upon hearing this, "Are you certain?"

"He questioned two of my guards, and my guards told him that a man in black had come to see me."

"He instructed my guards not to speak of this matter to anyone."

"But you have seen the results of the investigation over the past few days."

"There are over three hundred people and seven or eight cultivators."

"But that is only what is visible on the surface, and nearly half of them were discovered by teams led by Fei Yangming."

"Tell me, isn't that strange? Isn't it a bit too coincidental?"

"I secretly sought out a retired head constable from my own clan, Fang Xibai, and had him investigate in the shadows."

"This man is a distant uncle of mine who once served as a head constable in the capital's Government Office. He possesses a Divine Eye; no one has ever been able to escape his observation."

"The results of his secret investigation are even more alarming."

As he spoke, an envelope appeared in his hand, which he passed to Huang Tairen.

Huang Tairen read the contents of the envelope, a look of gravity appearing in his eyes.

The information inside was even more complete than what he had obtained.

There were at least a thousand extra people in the city, as there had been an unexplained increase in the consumption of night soil removed from the city, as well as grain, salt, and wine within the city walls.

The scale of the increase corresponded to roughly a thousand people.

Jade City has a population of only a few hundred thousand, and the daily intake and consumption of grain and various supplies are fixed.

Furthermore, after comparing the records of grain and various goods entering and exiting under Cao Yun with those of previous years, a clear problem emerged.

Sales tax had dropped significantly, which meant that a portion of the goods transported into the city had vanished into thin air without being sold.

Comparing the volume and weight of these missing goods, it also accounted for roughly a thousand people.

By comparing these various data points both horizontally and vertically, Fang Xibai had reached a detailed conclusion.

These data sources were all within the Government Office, including all the records of the water transport, tax records, and so on.

A look of admiration appeared on Huang Tairen's face, "Your elder is truly remarkable."

"To be able to deduce such a detailed number of people from such complex information."

"It is unheard of, something I have never even imagined."

"How else could he be called the Divine Eye? My uncle's eyes are truly formidable."