Tang Wen noticed a gaunt-faced old man sitting in the seat of honor in the Main Hall. Dressed in a blue robe with a plain cloth belt, he looked thoroughly unassuming.
He should be He Junyi, the Grand Elder of Moving Wood Palace, a powerful figure whose stamp of a foot could make several southern provinces tremble.
"Deputy Commissioner Zhuang, please take the seat of honor." He Junyi only rose when he saw Zhuang Qiyang enter the hall.
"You're too kind, Grand Elder." Zhuang Qiyang nodded and strode toward the chief guest seat on the left.
Tang Wen and Feng Jiuxue sat farther down the guest side, in the row of chairs on the lower left, while the elders of Moving Wood Palace who were currently present sat in the row on the lower right.
"What business brings you to our palace master, Lord Zhuang? She isn't here. She's been away for half a year." After taking a sip of tea, He Junyi set down his cup and asked.
"Which of you is the Ninth Elder? I'd like to make his acquaintance," Zhuang Qiyang replied.
"That would be me. What do you want with me, Lord Zhuang?" A middle-aged man with a faint green tint to his eyes rose and looked coldly at Zhuang Qiyang.
"A recent case involves you, so I must ask you to come with me to Six Fan Gate, Ninth Elder," Zhuang Qiyang said.
"Nonsense! The Ninth Elder has been at the Sect Headquarters all this time. He hasn't even stepped outside the gates. What could possibly involve him?" A round-faced, thick-browed middle-aged man in a splendid brocade robe and a white jade belt slapped the table as he spoke.
"Elder Sun, calm down. Let's hear what Lord Zhuang has to say first," He Junyi said.