"Lead the way to Cloud County."
Under Chen Tang’s urging, Li Jin and four governntal officials left the clearing to find their respective mounts.
Monk Ke Ren, seeing Chen Tang’s noble status and holding the Imperial Gold dal, felt hopeful that his brothers might be rescued. He shared a ride with one of the officials towards Cloud County.
Along the way, Li Jin again tried discreetly to inquire a few tis.
He wanted to probe into Chen Tang’s background, but was brushed off with a few words each ti.
In less than half a day, they had already arrived outside Cloud County.
Because of the previous poison porridge incident, the refugees had long since dispersed.
The guards on the city wall recognized Li Jin and opened the gates to let the group in.
As they walked through the city streets, Chen Tang looked around.
Cloud County, like Commandery, varied in size but overall was not much different from Wu’an County.
The Commander was considered the lord of the city, with the County Captain under him, managing the Governnt Office and the city defense army.
Chen Tang’s Imperial Token had a significant deterrent effect on these officials.
However, Cloud County had two major forces likely beyond this scope.
The Profound Celestial Temple and the Cyan Dragon Bureau.
Trying to use the Commander’s officials and soldiers to investigate the Profound Celestial Temple would surely encounter significant resistance.
Involving the Cyan Dragon Bureau was even less realistic.
It would be fortunate if the Cyan Dragon Bureau did not interfere or impede.
At that mont, Chen Tang’s attention was caught, noticing a subtle mark on the hitching post outside an inn.
The Qilin Bureau had just been established not long ago, with few hands and insufficient funds, lacking fixed stationed points across places.
When anything happens, the Qilin Bureau is dispatched from the Capital City.
This was a mark left by the Qilin Bureau.
Chen Tang said to Li Jin beside him, "You all can return to report. I will stay at this inn. As for this case, let rest for a few days, regain energy and then make arrangents."
Li Jin, smiling ingratiatingly, said, "Why not rest at the residence? Upon learning of the Imperial Envoy’s arrival, the Commander will surely prepare a banquet and warmly welco you. This inn is rather simple."
"No need to trouble yourselves."
Chen Tang waved his hand, "Once I’ve rested enough, I will go find the Commander of Cloud myself."
Li Jin replied, "Alright then, I will return to report; if there’s anything you need, please feel free to ask, my lord."
Once the officials left, Monk Ke Ren, unable to hold back, said, "My senior brothers and sect elders are currently imprisoned. If delayed a few days, I don’t know if they will..."
"I have my arrangents."
Chen Tang, with a calm deanor, took Monk Ke Ren into the inn.
After taking out so silver taels and arranging two rooms, he let Monk Ke Ren rest first, then wandered around the inn himself.
Not long after, he moved his ears slightly, faintly hearing the sound of conversation.
"Jing Head, the brothers have already investigated the matter thoroughly, it was indeed Ye Zhi, the Observatory Master of Profound Celestial Temple, who did it. At the ti, he didn’t leave the city; instead, he stood on the city wall, his flying sword stained with poison, using it to stir the porridge."
"That’s right, so guards witnessed it with their own eyes. However, they feared the power of the Profound Celestial Sect and dared not testify."
In the "Arhat Demon-Subduing Technique," there is a move called Celestial Ear Form.
After cultivation, Chen Tang’s hearing was far superior to others.
Combined with the enhancent of the Wind Listening Technique, even at a distance, once Chen Tang cald himself, he could hear the muffled conversation in the room.
The Observatory Master of this county city was approximately at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm.
The range of flying sword control could extend up to ten zhang.
At a distance of ten zhang, it would be difficult to control the flying sword to harm people, but stirring poison into porridge was easy.
"The crux of this matter is still the Profound Celestial Temple. If the Profound Celestial Temple here is not resolved, there’s no way to overturn the case."
"How to resolve it? The Cyan Dragon Bureau and the Profound Celestial Sect have long been in collusion."
"With our current manpower, we can’t move either side."
"I think we might as well drag it and see the results from the Capital City. If His Holiness can hold on, with His Holiness looking after us, it will all be well, otherwise..."
At that mont, the voices in the room suddenly stopped.
The seven people inside seed to sense sothing, all looking towards the door, hands reaching for the weapons at their waists.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
The next mont, a knocking sound was heard.
"Who is it?"
Soone inside, face as calm as water, asked softly.
"From the Capital City, sorry to disturb."
Chen Tang’s voice ca through.
"You’ve got the wrong person!"
The people inside exchanged glances and issued an order to depart.
The leading person slightly furrowed his brow, softly murmuring as the voice outside sounded sowhat familiar.
This person spoke, "Friend, please wait a mont."
After speaking, this person stepped forward to open the door, then quickly retreated, assuming a defensive posture.
Upon seeing Chen Tang at the door, this person’s eyes brightened, a look of surprise appeared, and he quickly asked, "Little brother, are you the Lion-Tiger..."
Chen Tang gestured for silence, walked into the room, and turned to close the door tightly.
"How should I address this lord?"
Chen Tang noticed this person was in his thirties, with slightly protruding temples on both sides, evidently having cultivated to the Fourth Grade Awakening.
This should be the leader among these Qilin Guards, with a rank of Captain. Chen Tang continued asking, "You recognize ?"
"I am Jing Wuming."
This person clasped his hands in salute, "Over a month ago, in the Capital City, I had the fortune to witness Brother Chen’s... Ah, no, Lord Chen’s skills and was deeply impressed."
"You flatter , my lord."
Chen Tang exchanged so pleasantries.
Jing Wuming quickly introduced him to the people in the room, saying, "This is the Lion-Tiger Arhat Chen Tang I’ve ntioned to the brothers, currently the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince! It was because of Lord Chen’s intervention that the young barbarian was slain, upholding the honor of Daqian!"
The Qilin Guards’ expressions beca more respectful, all rising to salute.
The Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, after all, held a First Grade position.
Chen Tang cupped his hands, "I no longer hold any official position; you are all older than , feel free to call Chen Tang or Brother Chen."
"Lord Chen... Brother Chen."
Jing Wuming asked, "How did you leave the Capital and make your way here?"
Chen Tang took out the Imperial Token from his bosom, saying, "I am on an imperial mission, here to investigate the Qingzhou water disaster. I just overheard your conversation, and I have two doubts that I wish to inquire about."
Seeing the Imperial Token, Jing Wuming and the others perked up!
They exchanged glances, secretly astonished.
Despite their hushed conversation just now, they hadn’t noticed Chen Tang eavesdropping outside!
Chen Tang asked, "What is the purpose behind the Observatory Master of Profound Celestial Temple doing such a thing, is it solely against Evergreen Temple? In other places in Qingzhou, has there been any similar incident?"
Chen Tang was worried about one thing.
If this were just one incident, it might be an isolated case against Evergreen Temple.
If similar cases were occurring across Qingzhou, then the real target might be the Buddhist Sect!
The developnt of the Buddhist Sect in Qian Country, though far from matching that of Nanxia, still represented a significant force with substantial influence.
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