An internal discussion of the Heaven and Earth Society

Xu Qi'an rode a horse, while the old broker drove the carriage. Inside the carriage were Xu Lingyue and her aunt, as well as Xu Lingyin, who excitedly stuck her head out of the carriage window.

Since the Dalang was with him, he didn't bring any maids or servants; too many people would be in the way.

Along the way, Xu Qi'an bought some food for Xu Lingyue and Xu Lingyin, and asked through the car window, "Auntie, would you like some?"

My aunt refused.

When they arrived at the house, they got out of the car, and Xu Qi'an saw his aunt wiping her mouth.

"The location is pretty good, not far from the city center, and there's a river nearby." The aunt commented with considerable satisfaction, then, standing at the doorway of the house, frowned and said:

"It looks a bit worn out."

"Of course it's dilapidated," Xu Qi'an thought to himself, gesturing for the old broker to open the door.

The aunt led her two daughters into the house, where they were met with a desolate and dilapidated scene, clearly abandoned for many years and neglected.

She frowned. "That's it?"

"This house has been uninhabited for many years, not even rented out. The brokerage firm is willing to sell it for four thousand taels. However, the owner absolutely refuses to agree."

"Four thousand taels?" Auntie squinted and asked casually, "How much is this house worth?"

"Five thousand taels," the old broker said.

The aunt didn't say anything, but led her daughters on a tour of the house, finding fault with everything they saw. The old broker, being experienced, shamelessly ignored her accusations.

Seeing the beautiful mature woman and the elegant young girl walking towards the inner courtyard, the old broker was startled and quickly looked at Xu Qi'an.

"It's nothing," Xu Qi'an said.

It should be fine in broad daylight. The old broker looked at the beautiful woman's back, her swaying, alluring buttocks particularly tempting.

"Sir, are you really interested in buying this house?"

"Um."

They really aren't afraid of death. The old broker had done all he could and stopped trying to persuade them, asking, "Who are these two?"

Xu Qi'an joked, "What do you think?"

These words silenced the old broker, leaving him momentarily at a loss. His mother and sister? No, they weren't that young. Besides, there was absolutely no sign of maternal love and filial piety between them.

A married couple? Hmm, that young girl might be this master's wife, and the beautiful woman is his mother-in-law—that girl in the yellow dress from yesterday?

The veteran broker had a keen eye, but he couldn't figure out the relationship between the two parties.

"The older one is my aunt, and the two younger ones are my sisters." After Xu Qi'an finished speaking, seeing the old broker's surprised expression, he smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

The old real estate agent shook his head, thinking to himself that he had never seen someone buy a house and bring their sister and aunt along.

Because his aunt was definitely the wife of his uncle or paternal uncle, a member of the clan, not just a family member. He had never seen the person who brought his aunt and cousin to see the house.

Although her aunt was sarcastic and criticized the house, saying it was worthless, she was actually quite satisfied. It was also a three-courtyard mansion, but it was much larger than the Xu Residence in the outer city, and the layout was incomparable.

The layout of the Xu Residence is that of an ordinary person, unlike the high-end and classy place here. If you had to distinguish between them, it would be like comparing a rural homestead to a high-end urban villa.

Although they are all multi-story detached houses, they are of different grades.

It took an hour to thoroughly inspect the entire house. Aunt and Xu Lingyue were both very excited, and the latter even secretly decided on her own room.

The aunt tentatively asked, "This location, I'm afraid five thousand taels wouldn't be enough to buy it."

She was finding fault to lower the price, but after browsing around, she suddenly realized that five thousand taels was too cheap, and the clever aunt sensed something was wrong.

Xu Qi'an pointed to the well not far away. "The well has been haunted, yes, it really is haunted. Caiwei and I have already verified it."

Two gasps of surprise rang out as Xu Lingyue and her aunt retreated behind Xu Qi'an, the former clutching her older brother's sleeve tightly with her small hands.

ghost?

Xu Lingyin was also very scared. She ran with her short legs to hide under her older brother's crotch, then looked at the well opening, swallowing her saliva while being afraid.

The aunt's pretty face turned a little pale; she didn't want to stay a moment longer. "I'm not buying anything, let's go home."

She held one daughter's hand in each hand and walked briskly outside the house, her figure swaying as she walked so fast.

The old broker looked at Xu Qi'an with a worried expression. "Are you making fun of me?"

Xu Qi'an waved his hand. "Stop talking nonsense, go to the brokerage and pay the deposit."

He didn't mention that he had dealt with the female ghost, fearing that the real estate agency would raise the price on the spot. Until he got the house deed and land deed, this house would still be a haunted house.

The carriage was parked outside the brokerage firm, with my aunt and two younger sisters sitting inside. My aunt was very angry when she heard that Xu Qi'an had gone to pay the deposit.

"I'm not staying here. Let him live in the haunted house by himself. The little rascal just doesn't want the three of us to benefit," the aunt said angrily.

"My older brother isn't that kind of person," Xu Lingyue, shaking her mother's arm.

Just then, Xu Qi'an came out, jumped into the driver's seat, lifted the curtain and poked half his head in. "It's almost noon, let's go to Cassia Moon Tower for lunch."

The aunt turned her face away.

Xu Qi'an explained, "The female ghost in the house has been dealt with. You may not believe me, but surely the Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy will?"

Xu Lingyue nodded with a smile.

The aunt stared at Xu Qi'an with suspicion and uncertainty. "Really?"

Why would I lie to my aunt?

Driving to Cassia Moon Tower, Xu Qi'an ordered a private room. He took out a small jade mirror and sent a message: "[Number Two, I remember you said you were investigating the mastermind behind the banditry in Yunzhou.]"

After sending the message, he turned the mirror upside down on the table, lowered his head to eat, and a moment later, a message notification arrived.

[Second: Yes, during the bandit suppression, I discovered that the various villages had stockpiled a considerable amount of supplies. These things were not something the bandits could obtain, and I suspect that there is a powerful force supporting them.]

Xu Qi'an nodded slightly. The so-called supplies were military materials, including equipment and machinery.

This topic piqued the interest of Number Four, who, as a former official of the Great Feng Dynasty, was quite concerned about the situation in the Great Feng court.

[Four: We could try starting with the local government of Yunzhou. By the way, I remember there was a vassal king in Yunzhou.]

[Second: Your Highness is merely a prince without real power. I have investigated him, and there are no problems.]

[Part 3: How was the investigation conducted?]

[Second: Send someone to monitor the Prince's residence.]

"You call this an investigation? It's too crude," Xu Qi'an thought to himself, then sent a message: "[I know the backers behind the banditry in Yunzhou.]"

"???"

A series of question marks flashed through the minds of Number Two and Number Four.

What intelligence did Number Three obtain this time? Why does Number Three always manage to get so much information? News from the capital is one thing, since it's his "territory," but Yunzhou has absolutely nothing to do with him.

I've investigated for so long without any leads; how could he possibly know the mastermind behind the banditry in Yunzhou? Number Two knew Number Three well, always considering him a virtuous and learned man, so he didn't question him but instead solemnly sent out the letter:

[Two: What happened? Um, Number Three, tell me the inside story, consider it a favor I owe you.]

[Three: Ha, no need. I admire your character. This message is free.]

When feelings are not deep, talk about transactions and avoid taking advantage of others. After a few interactions, focus on developing the relationship and reducing the amount of money or benefits involved.

What's free is often the most expensive, because what replaces the transaction is affection. As the friendship deepens, the idea of "freebies" emerges. No, how can it be called "freebies" between friends? It's mutual help.

This time, Number Two got his information for free; tomorrow, he can get Number Two for free too.

[Three: It's the Witchcraft Cult of Northeast China, the mastermind behind the banditry in Yunzhou. Um, this information isn't necessarily accurate; take it as a reference, Number Two.]

Even if the Witch God Cult wasn't the mastermind behind the banditry in Yunzhou, it was probably still involved. Xu Qi'an revealed this to Number Two with the intention of having Number Two investigate.

Was the Witch God Cult the mastermind behind the banditry in Yunzhou? Number Two stared at the text in the jade mirror, remaining silent for a long time: [How did you find out? From what source? Hmm, I'm not testing you, I just want to know the veracity of the information.]

[Three: It's alright. Last night, the night Nightwatchers discovered a stronghold of the Witchcraft Cult in the capital. They have close ties with the Minister of Ministry of Works.]

He gave a general account of the events, without going into too much detail, since his identity was that of a student at the Cloud Deer Academy, not Nightwatchers involved in the case. He emphasized that the Minister of Ministry of Works provided the Witch God Cult with military supplies such as cannons and weapons.

"I see, I see." Number Two clenched his fist excitedly and relayed the message: "[This news is very important to me. It confirms a suspicion I had before. Thank you. I suddenly regret that Master Jinlian didn't bring you into the Heaven and Earth Society sooner.]"

[Nine: When discussing serious matters, stick to serious matters and avoid personal entanglements.]

After a pause, Daoist Jinlian relayed a message: [Nine: But, the Witch God Sect's secret support for the bandits in Yunzhou isn't very meaningful to them, is it?]

[Four: Yes, Yunzhou is in the southeast, and the territory of the Witch God Cult is in the northeast; the two places are thousands of miles apart.]

Neither military alliances nor trade relations are realistic.

This is precisely what I've been wondering about. Xu Qi'an relayed a message: "[Number Two, you can try investigating. I believe that with your abilities, you can definitely get to the bottom of this.]"

At this moment, Number One, who liked to peek into the screen, jumped out. "[The matter of the Vice Minister of Ministry of Works reminds me of a detail in the Sangbo case.]"

[The gunpowder was secretly buried in the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple by the former Ministry of Rites through Zhou Baihu and his official position in arranging the ancestral worship ceremony. So who lit the fire?]

[II: Imperial Guards?]

[Three: It wasn't the Imperial Guards. If it were, the Nightwatchers would have found out long ago. All those on patrol that night were killed, and those not on patrol have alibis. Besides, the Ministry of Rites can't command the Imperial Guards.]

[Part Two: Why?]

[One: This is a secret of the imperial court.]

"What imperial secrets? Isn't it just that Emperor Yuanjing would have the Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy examine the Imperial Guards every month?" Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

A thought struck him, and certain clues suddenly connected, as if a key to understanding had been unlocked: [Does Number One mean that the Witch God Cult ignited the explosives inside the Yongzhen Mountain and River Temple?]

[One: Hmm.]

[Nine: It's a paper doll, isn't it?]

[One: Why is the Daoist priest so certain?]

[Nine: Ha, the paper puppet technique was passed down from the Daoist School, so I naturally know that. The paper puppets are weak, only slightly stronger than ants, and can deceive a martial artist's senses. Infiltrating the Yongzhen Mountain and River Temple silently is not difficult. But the paper puppets can be used as a medium to ignite gunpowder.]

[One: In other words, both the Demon Race and the Witch God Cult were involved in the Sangbo case. So, the Qi faction must also be aware of this?]

[Three: That doesn't make sense. The Qi Party and the Witch God Cult are just partners, not superiors and subordinates. The Witch God Cult wouldn't tell the Qi Party everything.]

[One thing is certain: the Witch God Cult has ties to the Demon Race race.]

The Demon Race destroyed Sangbo to seal the artifact, so what is the purpose of the Witch God Cult? It shouldn't be the severed hand of the monk Shenshu, otherwise, there would be a conflict of interest, and the two sides would fight. As Xu Qi'an thought this, he reached out with his chopsticks to pick up some food, but he missed.

The already limited amount of food was completely devoured by the mother and her two daughters, the little one's face glowing with health.

"Just like Virtue Chu Caiwei." Xu Qi'an cursed, then called the waiter to add more food.

After finishing their meal, they left Cassia Moon Tower. Aunt and Lingyue got into the carriage first. Xu Lingyin spotted a stall selling malt candy across the street, tugged at her older brother's trouser leg, and pitifully begged him to buy her some.

Xu Qi'an led her to buy it, his sharp tongue masking a soft heart. He warned her, "Maltose is too hard, be careful it breaks your teeth."

The little rascal is an expert when it comes to food. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Candy softens in your mouth. Don't you even know that, big brother?"

P. S.: I know some of you stayed up until midnight waiting for updates, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting so long. But I've been working myself to the bone. I've been writing all along, keeping my promise.