Elsewhere, Wu Dong had begun questioning Qinghuang and Purple Bamboo.
"The two of us merely happened upon him," Purple Bamboo said, his face composed. "When we passed the Immortal Platform-"
"You didn't." Wu Dong looked at him and interrupted.
"..."
"..."
"Tell the truth." Wu Dong lowered his head, took up his brush, and turned a page.
The room fell silent again, and even began to grow tense.
Pei Ye knew Wu Dong was right, because no one should have noticed anything unusual about the peddler before he did. Qinghuang and Purple Bamboo's behavior at the time clearly showed that they had already been watching the man for quite a while.
But Jianghu sects and the Immortal Platform...
"..." Purple Bamboo was silent for a while. "I have nothing to disclose."
The atmosphere instantly tightened again.
Wu Dong's expression did not change. "Then we can only follow the required procedures-"
Qinghuang hurriedly rose and bowed apologetically to Wu Dong. "Wu Hejian, my younger brother meant no offense. Please check your office's records first."
Wu Dong raised his eyes to Qinghuang and lifted a hand slightly behind him. Before long, someone arrived carrying a drawer of files.
The words "White Bamboo Pavilion · One" were engraved on it. Wu Dong's hand moved over its contents, stopping at the section marked [Second Elder · "Purple Bamboo" Xu Jianzheng].
Pei Ye glanced down, and a scarlet seal met his eyes.
"Divine Capital · May be investigated and employed. Do not pursue or inquire into the events of the seventh and eighth months of the Xinsi year, or their ramifications."
Pei Ye froze, turning to look at Purple Bamboo. This tall senior, like fire and a sword, truly showed no outward sign of having lost his Meridian Tree. He stared straight at the floor,