Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 256 - 220: Only I am the Most Reliable_1

Chapter 256: Chapter 220: Only I am the Most Reliable_1

"Your Uncle Qiu is indeed suspicious."

After coming out of the closed-door meeting at the Demon Tower, Xue Yunrou walked up to Li Xuan and said in a speculative tone, "He was only imprisoned in the water dungeon in the afternoon, and all this happened in the evening. It seemed premeditated. Additionally, the couple, Black Snake Commander Shen Zhimou and Green Wing Commander Yin Ruolan, would have found it the most convenient to simultaneously destroy the array’s key mechanism in the top and bottom of the tower."

Li Xuan felt an unbearable headache. Jiang Hanyun and Ma Chenggong were both under custody, which meant that more than half of Mingyou City would grind to a halt.

He also had some hidden worries about the two’s predicament.

The Inner Chamber’s reputation in the Six Paths Bureau had always been less than stellar.

As he stepped out of the Demon Tower, he saw Sima Tianyuan, carrying his giant sword, frowning and looking up to the top of the Demon Tower.

"You do not need to worry too much."

Sima Tianyuan might have noticed Li Xuan and the others approaching, so he quickly withdrew his gaze, turned, and looked at them, "Ma Chenggong is a forthright and shrewd person. If it is not part of his job, he will not do it. As for Xiaowei Jiang, she is clear of any wrongdoing and is backed by Jiangnan Medical Pavilion and the Tianshi Sect. There’s absolutely no reason for her to be associated with the Maitreya Sect. The Inner Chamber would not dare to mistreat her. They both should be released soon."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan gave a bitter smile, "I hope your words come true, General Sima."

"I am usually very accurate in my judgment of people. If anyone is the least likely to commit a crime, it’s Xiaowei Jiang and Ma Chenggong. However, before they are released, I expect you’ll have to take over all matters in Mingyou City."

Sima Tianyuan said seriously, "Si Qianhui is en route to another location and won’t be able to return for a while. You are the only one in Mingyou City who can hold down the fort now. Your jurisdiction covers more than half of the Qinhuai River area, the most demon-infested place in Nanjing City and with the highest population density. There must be no slip-ups."

Li Xuan’s face turned solemn, "I will do my best once I have received instructions."

"I trust you, Li Xuan. If you ever feel that the situation is getting out of control, you can ask me for help at any time."

Sima Tianyuan nodded slightly and then sighed lightly, "Just when we thought the problems caused by the turmoil in the Underworld and Lin Ziyang’s rebellion were over, and South Zhili would have some peace for a while, our own lair was blown up. It’s a great humiliation, a real disgrace! And the things that are going to come next will only get more troublesome; it seems like there’s a lot of work ahead."

After speaking, he scratched his head and walked away with a look of helplessness.

Xue Yunrou watched his back, "Xuan, it seems you have a good relationship with General Sima? You can rely on him a lot in the future. My uncle said he may be promoted to Zhonglangjiang in no more than three months. His cultivation is only a little short of the tenth level."

However, Li Xuan had no mood to talk about these matters because he had already started walking hurriedly towards Mingyou City.

He imagined Mingyou City was now in a state of panic and needed calming.

However, just as he had taken a few steps, a slayer from Fumo Youjiao came running, "Master Duwei, the Zongguan has summoned you. Please come to Zhuque House immediately."

"The Zongguan called for me?" Li Xuan was taken aback and immediately looked over to Zhuque House, not far from the Demon Tower, "Did he say what it’s about?"

He already had a guess in his heart. As General Sima had said, this Zongguan probably intended to have him temporarily take over Mingyou City, so he wanted him to come for detailed instructions.

"I do not know," said the Fumo Youjiao, shaking his head, "but the Zongguan looked displeased. I’ve never seen him so angry."

※※※※

"Cut the nonsense, you will take over all matters in Mingyou City for the time being, until Xiaowei Jiang is released by the Inner Chamber."

When Li Xuan saw the Zongguan on the top floor of Zhuque House, the blind old man, as expected, started to talk about Mingyou City’s affairs: "In the next dozen days, the jurisdiction of Mingyou City, far from reducing, will expand to the whole inner and outer Qinhuai River, you and Luo Yan are to shoulder this responsibility. By the way, Vice Master Zhang just told me that his niece wants to join the Six Paths Bureau as a guest Qing, and specifically requested your flag."

Li Xuan was surprised. Xue Yunrou had not mentioned this to him.

Suddenly, he realized that what this Zongguan really valued must be the Demoness Zidie and Xue Yunrou? Both women were capable enough to fill the power vacuum in Mingyou City after Jiang Hanyun’s arrest, and more than sufficient.

This man is very good at effectively utilizing human resources—

However, next, the tone of this blind old man changed again: "Besides, you will have to lead a team to investigate the two explosions at the Demon Tower."

Li Xuan was immediately taken aback, "But that case is already being investigated by the Neijianchashi."

"They can do their investigation, we’ll do ours. They’re looking for an infiltrator, we’re searching for the cause of the explosion."

Waving his hand, the blind elder seemed confident, "I don’t fully trust the inner hall members. Their record of handling cases unjustly is not just one or two. Rest assured, all the authority you need for this case will be given to you."

While saying this, he placed a small scroll, only as wide as a palm, in front of Li Xuan, "This is the decree I issued - everyone in the Zhuque Hall, including me, should fully cooperate with you. Even I am subject to your questioning."

Li Xuan couldn’t help but feel interested in this case, especially since Qiu Qianqiu, Jiang Hanyun, and Ma Chenggong, who were involved, were all close acquaintances of his. The Maitreya Teaching that orchestrated the upheaval in the Zhenyao Tower could possibly be the origin of the Blood Eye Girl’s obsession.

Yet he found it odd, "I’d like to ask, honored director, why choose me?"

"What do you think?" The blind elder brushed off the question and pointed outside the window, "Right now, there are one hundred and forty-seven demons lurking in Nanjing City. The Maitreya Teaching must have a grand scheme to use such a large force and save Shenhui and Xue Wuya. But currently both Deputy Director Qiu and our six Fumo Xiaowei, in addition to the head of the Treasure Tower, are all trapped in the Zhenyao Tower. How could I spare manpower to deal with this? After much consideration, you were the most suitable candidate."

Li Xuan wondered, among the countless Zhuque Hall members, weren’t there others more suitable than him?

"The Maitreya Teaching is involved in the attack on the second prince, the blood sacrifice incident on General’s Mountain, the changes in the Underground and the tomb of Han dynasty, the rebellion case of Lin Ziyang, all of which could cause chaos in Nanjing. Their ultimate aim will not be simple, I cannot be negligent," the blind elder explained earnestly. "I have conferred with Deputy Director Qiu on a daily basis and we believe that Maitreya Teaching has more than one informant within the Liudao Division. However, you, Li Xuan, have demonstrated remarkable abilities and impeccable integrity inherited from Duke Wen of Zhonglie. As the current protector of Neo-Confucianism, you are the only one within the Liudao Division who can’t possibly conspire with Maitreya Teaching. Thus, we depend on you."

Only then did Li Xuan remember that he was certified a gentleman by both the Heart Asking Bell and Tingtian Ao.

Within the Zhuque Hall, who could be more trustworthy than him?

※※※※

When Li Xuan returned to Mingyou City, he could tell that everyone was in a state of disturbance. The personnel engaging in field operations had come back and the clerks were preoccupied.

Just as he was expected to do, Li Xuan gathered everyone, "You should all be aware of the reasons behind this. Due to the incident at Zhenyao Tower, the Xiaowei Lords and Ma are detained there temporarily. Yet everyone knows their characters well. To say that they are moles for the Maitreya Teaching, how possible is it? Therefore, within a maximum of ten days or minimum of three days, the Xiaowei Lords and Ma will be able to come out of Zhenyao Tower. Before that, you all should continue to work diligently and not let Xiaowei down! Also, do not believe in baseless rumors and avoid causing trouble."

Following that, Li Xuan announced that he would be assuming control over all affairs in Mingyou City and the expansion of the jurisdiction which led to an uproar.

For Mingyou City’s two hundred members, Li Xuan was highly respected, and there were no voices of dissent. The problem came when the jurisdiction of Mingyou City nearly doubled, meaning all their workloads would double, leading to grumbles from everyone.

Peng Fulai and Zhang Yue were the two, making the most noise—

The key was that there was no more high-level personnel stationed at the third door, which made everyone feel uneasy.

Li Xuan foresaw this and brought Xue Yunrou with him, "This is Jiang Xiaowei’s cousin, Xue Yunrou, who has been appointed as the guest Qing of the Liudao Division today. I’ve been assigned to Mingyou City’s Third Flag as an advisor by the director-general. During Jiang Xiaowei’s detention period, Xue Yunrou will supervise the Qinhuai River area and oversee all the divisions and provide help at any time."

As for Luo Yan—although the strength and reputation of the Zidie Demoness surpassed Xue Yunrou, as long as she retained Luo Yan’s identity, Xue Yunrou’s reputation was more useful.

Upon hearing Li Xuan’s comment, the murmurs from the crowd began to settle. Many of the Mingyou City staff had heard of Xue Yunrou who was known as one of the two "Jadeites of the Heavenly Master" along with Jiang Hanyun.

Stunned, Xue Yunrou made a small sound. She joined the Liudao Division to accompany her lover; she didn’t expect to be sent patrolling the streets by Xuan. But considering that her cousin was being detained in the Zhenyao Tower and Li Xuan was in urgent need of assistance, Xue Yunrou felt obliged to help, despite her discomfort.

"—There’s more!" Li Xuan declared, "I’ve already agreed to the expansion of our jurisdiction. But the director-general also promised me that within the next month, everyone in Mingyou City will receive three times their salary!"

Indeed, he had negotiated and bargained this with the Fumo Zongguan. Previously, Jiang Xiaowei was too honest — during Zhongyuan Jie, everyone in Mingyou City worked so hard, but he did not ask for overtime pay. He only awarded a bonus afterwards. That’s not how to treat people. If you are doing double the work, of course you deserve triple the pay.

The moment his words fell, the two hundred people in the Mingyou City courtyard went silent then exploded into cheers.

At the same time, Sima Tianyuan, the commander of the neighboring Huoque Department, looked perplexed, turning his head to look in the direction of the cheers. The Fumo Duyu next to him was also puzzled, "Haven’t the Xiaowei Lords in their household been seized? Why does it sound like they’re quite happy?"