Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 591 - 477 Elder Council Meeting (Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Pass)_1

Chapter 591: Chapter 477 Elder Council Meeting (Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Pass)_1

Despite Li Xuan and his team not finding many clues at Longfu Temple, they were still busy there until late into the night.

Given the extensive implications of the case involving the Crown Prince and its impact on the Great Jin Dynasty, Li Xuan could not afford to act rashly.

During this time, he even sensed the spiritual energy of the Jingtai Emperor, who surged all the way to hover above Longfu Temple, surveying the situation from above, showing the Emperor’s deep concern about this matter.

The cabinet, Shuntian Government, Ministry of Punishments, and others sent people to inquire about the situation.

Li Xuan questioned some people who had been in direct contact with Duojicairen and Zaxigongbu.

The Xiuyiwei investigation also revealed that two more people had died of brain tumors around Longfu Temple, but their respective families had not suspected foul play, hence they did not report these incidents.

According to the testimonies from Xiuyiwei, one of the families had set up a stall outside the east wall of Longfu Temple, and the other family had visited the temple to offer incense in October.

These circumstances were highly suspicious. Although Li Xuan could not yet establish whether the five brain tumor patients were related to the ’black datura’, and whether the two Master Lamas were involved, there was no doubt that there were questionable points about Longfu Temple.

At this point, Li Dalu rejoined Li Xuan. He was very efficient and had thoroughly investigated everything that Li Xuan wanted to know.

"According to the Princess’s lady-in-waiting, when you didn’t return to the marquis’ mansion due to official business the other day, the Princess spent half a day practicing swordsmanship in the backyard. I heard that her sword Qi was overpowering, and she chopped more than a dozen wooden figures bearing your name into pieces. The lady-in-waiting said that the Princess moved in so she could see you, but you never showed up."

"Then, yesterday afternoon, Mr. Xue met with the Princess. Although they seemed amicable, Mr. Xue seemed unhappy when he returned. It seems that the Princess was flaunting something to him, and he was quite angry."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan let out a ’huh’, and a cold sweat formed on his forehead—he had an idea of what might be the reason.

"As for the clinic in Jiangnan, Lady Jiang is still visiting relatives in Shandong and has not returned. Xiaowei Jiang really seems to be free, so she wanted to help you eliminate the sword qi."

Li Xuan could not help but heave a sigh of relief, feeling thankful that the worst-case scenario had not arrived.

Then he appeared deep in thought, pondering over the solution to the current situation.

However, over the next two days, Li Xuan genuinely didn’t have time to return to the Marquis of Guanjun’s mansion. He was kept busy with various investigations related to Longfu Temple.

Time passed as Li Xuan was engrossed in his work, and in a blink of an eye, it was the 19th of April of the 13th year of the Jingtai era.

On this day, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Liudao Division was particularly tense, and all the personnel entering and exiting were looking troubled.

However, Li Xuan remained calm. After handling all affairs at the Duanshiguan Yamen of the Central Army, he arrived at the Liudao Division at the fourth moment of the afternoon (2 pm).

The elder council meeting of the Liudao Division was scheduled to start at the sixth moment of the afternoon.

Li Xuan was not an elder, hence he did not have the right to participate, but since he was a Fumo Zhonglangjiang, he could attend as an observer.

When he arrived, nine elders were already seated. Zhu Mingyue was seated at the head of the council, her eyes half-lidded, looking straight ahead.

On the observant seat was clearly the deputy Venerable.

Behind him were people who had recently grown closer to Li Xuan, including the General Commander of Chilei Department, Fumo Zhonglangjiang Zhu Chiling, and the General Commander of Qinglei Department, Mu Qiangwei.

"Qianzhi, why are you only coming now?" As Zhu Chiling greeted Li Xuan, he cast his eyes toward the eighteen elder chairs at the front, "Considering today’s circumstances, the proposals regarding your Shenyi Department’s request for merit recognition and funding should be passed. If the elder council intends to block even this, Zhu will surely turn agitated.

However, Qiu Qianqiu’s promotion to the position of Venerable of Zhuque Hall is likely to be denied. Zhu and Qiu were not on the same side before, he won’t be dedicated to help."

"You also call him old Zhu?"

This was from the deputy Venerable, who looked at him with slanted eyes, his cold gaze causing Zhu Chiling’s body to shrink a little.

The deputy Venerable then turned his gaze toward Li Xuan. His look towards Li Xuan was somewhat complex before he snorted coldly, "You and Venerable Zhu are alike, both too hasty and overly extreme."

After saying this, he ignored Li Xuan and looked elsewhere.

Not long after, Abbot Weizhen, clad in a gown of golden and red stripes, and his face glowing red, walked in from outside. Following closely behind him was Master Weixing.

Upon seeing Li Xuan, both narrowed their eyes slightly.

As Weizhen passed by Li Xuan, he paused with a calm expression on his face, "Zhonglangjiang, don’t you think it’s enough to seal my ’Great Huguo Temple’? I heard that you also took over ’Longfu Temple’ the night before?"

Li Xuan then looked towards him with an indifferent look, "So? Is the abbot very concerned about this matter?"

Not confirming or denying, Weizhen stared at Li Xuan, "I have already warned all branches of my Zen Sect that after today, all of the Zen Sect should consider you, the Marquis of Guanjun, as an enemy of Buddha!"

Li Xuan couldn’t help but laugh, "Master, do you still consider yourself the Head of the Zen Sect? The imperial edict revoking your title as ’Head of the Zen Sect’ should have reached you the day before yesterday.

By the way, I heard that the Shaolin Abbot is preparing to convene a Zen Sect conference at Song Mountain. I wonder if the abbot is also invited to participate?"

- And even if he was truly regarded as a ’Buddha’s enemy’ by the Zen Sect worldwide, what would he, Li Xuan, have to fear?

Master Weizhen couldn’t help but clench his fists inside his sleeves. After taking a deep breath, he recited a verse of Amitabha, "Amitabha! I hope that Marquis can still laugh later."