The entire Pure Heaven Bureau was busy, yet Shi Fengchen, a senior official holding the rank of deputy inspector, had so much leisure. This could only mean one thing-he had been sidelined.
Three years ago, he had begun investigating that case in Chaonan City, and only last year had he finally identified the true culprits. Unfortunately, his investigation had led him to the Green Mountain Sect.
After returning to Chaoge City, his immediate superior had subjected him to a torrent of abuse and a stern reprimand. He had nearly lost his post, and only the Noble Consort's intervention from within the palace had kept him out of trouble. But when he entered the palace last year to thank her, he had failed to establish a connection with her. In many people's eyes, he had thus lost his value, and naturally he had been pushed aside, left without any specific duties.
Even now, he could not understand why the Commandant had been so furious at the time, even if he had offended the Green Mountain Sect. As far as he knew, Commander Wei had begun as a rogue cultivator and had few ties to the cultivation sects of the Southern Continent. He had reached his present position through the Duke of Lu's recommendations all along the way.
-He might as well leave those questions alone. The clear tea in his cup tasted quite good, and leisure had its advantages. At least he would not steep fine spring tea into a thick, sauce-like broth because he had no time to drink it, nor steep the tea in his cup into a thin, watery soup because he had no time to replace the leaves.
Thinking this, Shi Fengchen narrowed his eyes and looked toward the distant Plum Garden.
The Plum Garden lay west