Gong Yi felt uneasy, and it wasn't without reason. He had never expected Yuan Zun to have dealt with the remnants of the Anti-Heaven Cult, nor the green-eyed zombie. Either of these accomplishments alone would have been a monumental service. What's more, Yue Shan, a remnant of the Anti-Heaven Cult, was the master of the Third Hall, a pillar of strength within the cult itself. His demise would undoubtedly crush the Anti-Heaven Cult's arrogance. Therefore, with such an extraordinary feat, Yuan Zun would soon be transferred from Tongcheng and rise through the ranks, leaving even Gong Yi far behind.
The county magistrate, Gong, his face sallow, was bewildered. What was going on? When had Yuan Zun ever investigated the Anti-Heaven Cult remnants since he took office? When had he searched for the green-eyed zombie's hiding place? How had he managed to bring back both the green-eyed zombie and the body of an Anti-Heaven Cult remnant simultaneously? Though he was shocked, he wasn't as apprehensive as Gong Yi. After all, he was on the verge of retirement, ready to lay down his official duties. While it wasn't his wish, there was no other choice now. He didn't believe someone like Yuan Zun would seek to harm him after he had retired.
"He was the Third Hall Master, Yue Shan?" At this moment, even Yuan Zun was greatly surprised. He hadn't expected this remnant of the Anti-Heaven Cult to have such a significant background.
Bi Cang said, "The Anti-Heaven Cult had eighteen hall masters. It was they who rebelled, shattering the peace of the Underworld and disrupting the order of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Although the Anti-Heaven Cult was later destroyed, five hall masters survived. However, they were all severely injured and have continued to exist by possessing the bodies of others, making their whereabouts unknown. It is fortunate that we have found Xie Yue today, confirming that this severely burned corpse is indeed Yue Shan."
A strong sense of lingering fear washed over Yuan Zun. Yue Shan! A ghost king renowned throughout the Underworld ten thousand years ago, ferociously brutal and exceptionally cruel. It was said that Fengdu City had dispatched several Ninth-Rank Ghost Kings to pursue him back then, and they had only managed to heavily injure him. To think that such a formidable figure was trying to assassinate him! It was even more incredible that such a powerful figure from ten thousand years ago could be tricked to death by Chen Nan. At this instant, he felt a strange pang of sympathy for Yue Shan. Not only was he killed by Chen Nan's schemes, but before dying, he had also helped Chen Nan break through his limitations, enabling him to become a cultivator...
Bi Cang suddenly asked, "Lord Yuan, did you find Yue Shan's storage artifact?"
Yuan Zun shook his head. "This subordinate did not find any storage artifacts on him." He wasn't lying. Chen Nan had taken Yue Shan's storage artifact, what did that have to do with him? Still, he felt curious. "Sir, were there any treasures in Yue Shan's storage artifact?"
Bi Cang explained, "It is rumored that the Anti-Heaven Cult possesses unique communication tokens. If we can find these tokens, we might be able to trace them and gather all the Anti-Heaven Cult members to capture them in one fell swoop."
Yuan Zun sighed. "It's a pity that after Yue Shan's death, this subordinate did not see his storage artifact."
Bi Cang chuckled. "You were able to use strategy to defeat Yue Shan and the green-eyed zombie; this in itself is a monumental achievement. Don't expect to claim all the benefits for yourself." A wry smile touched his lips. They said fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and it was truly so. He had previously remarked that Yuan Zun had terrible luck, but now he realized his own shortsightedness. Although Yuan Zun's luck was bad, his survival portended a meteoric rise. The merits he had already earned meant his future achievements would surpass his own.
Gong Yi chose to yield immediately. With a face full of apology, he bowed to Yuan Zun. "Lord Yuan, I misunderstood you previously. I apologize for what I said." He then turned to Gong Ping, the county magistrate, and said angrily, "Old man, it's all your fault! If you hadn't told me that Lord Yuan didn't concern himself with politics, how could I have said those things? Apologize to Lord Yuan at once!"
Gong Ping, trembling with fear, said, "Please forgive this subordinate's ignorance, Lord Yuan. I offer you my deepest apologies and hope you can forgive me."
Yuan Zun, suppressing his anger, calmly replied, "Magistrate Gong, you are too kind. We are all working for the people of Tongcheng. What transgression is there?"
Gong Ping breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Yuan Zun said this, he was safe. After all, Yuan Zun had forgiven him in front of two imperial envoys. If he were to cause trouble for him in secret, wouldn't he be ridiculed by the world?
Bi Cang spoke, "Let us return to the case of the stolen 'Death-Exempt Gold Tablet.'" He looked at Yuan Zun. "Tell me about the Liu family incident."
"Yes." Yuan Zun recounted the events of that day, when Chen Nan encountered Liu Yu, without omitting any detail. "The grandson of Marquis Wen, Liu Yu, committed assault on the street, intending to kill a county yamen constable, and boasted that the Liu family was the heaven of Tongcheng. The county yamen constable, Chen Nan, seeing that he was beyond control, killed him on the spot. Then, he led men to the Liu family... After bringing Marquis Wen and his son to the county yamen, Marquis Wen and his son showed contempt for the imperial court and were arrogant. Unexpectedly, when the 'Death-Exempt Gold Tablet' was produced, this subordinate discovered that it was made of iron. This subordinate proposed that they be imprisoned and the execution be carried out after awaiting the Emperor's summons. However, Marquis Wen and his son fiercely resisted. As a last resort, constable Chen Nan executed them in the courtroom. It was then that we realized the 'Death-Exempt Gold Tablet' bestowed by the Emperor upon the Liu family might have been stolen."
Bi Cang nodded calmly. In fact, he already knew the cause and the entire process of the incident. These details were clearly stated in Yuan Zun's memorial to the throne, which the Emperor had also given him. Bi Cang looked around at the yamen runners and asked, "Which of you is Chen Nan? Step forward so I can see him." He was eager to meet the incredibly brave individual. Before knowing the 'Death-Exempt Gold Tablet' was stolen, he dared to publicly kill Liu Yu and lead men to arrest people from the Liu family. Few people possessed such courage.
Yuan Zun respectfully replied, "Your Excellency, Chen Nan is not at the county yamen."
Bi Cang frowned. "Then where did he go?"
Yuan Zun looked at Gong Ping. "This you will have to ask Magistrate Gong."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Gong was utterly dumbfounded. He had intended to use the matter of the Anti-Heaven Cult remnants and the green-eyed zombie to bring down Yuan Zun today. That was why he had ordered Chen Nan's arrest. Because if Yuan Zun was brought down, no one would care about Chen Nan's fate. However, he hadn't expected Yuan Zun to emerge unscathed. This meant that arresting Chen Nan was an extremely foolish move. If Bi Cang found out he had ordered Chen Nan's arrest, could he still retire peacefully and live out his days? Without further thought, he quickly said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, Constable Chen was sent on another errand by me. Please rest here for a moment, and I will fetch him at once." Without looking back, he left the living room and sped towards the prison. He absolutely had to invite this Lord Chen. Otherwise, he would face a dire fate. He just wondered if this Lord would deign to show him respect...