"What? The copy of that notebook... was stolen?"
Upon hearing Director Li’s words, Group Leader Qi widened his eyes, his face full of shock.
Director He’s reaction, though less dramatic, was still quite astonished.
"Yes, it was indeed stolen."
Director Li nodded helplessly.
Back then, with Zhenyuan’s guidance, they managed to find the body of the Taiyi Dao Sect Leader and that notebook.
The body was sent for forensic examination.
It was confird that the Taiyi Dao Sect Leader died from wound infection.
As for the notebook, they originally intended to return it to Zhenyuan.
However, while organizing the notes, they discovered the Taiyi Dao Sect Leader had not only hand-copied the notebook but also marked his insights in so special places.
The previous director of the Religious Affairs Bureau was overly curious about what exactly was recorded in this notebook.
Thus, this forr director made a very bold decision: to keep the hand-copied version of the Taiyi Dao Sect Leader’s notebook for research in the Religious Affairs Bureau.
Only so high-level individuals within the Religious Affairs Bureau knew about this matter.
Even Director Li only learned the true story after the notebook was stolen.
"Did you find out who stole it?"
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Director He asked in a low voice.
Unlike Director Li, as a high-ranking official in the bureau, he knew the whole story.
Moreover, he also knew that the Taiyi Dao Sect Leader Yunlai had hidden a will on his body before he died.
In the will, Yunlai confidently wrote that if one could unravel the mysteries of the Sunflower Manual in the notebook, they would be able to step onto the Path of Cultivation like Zhenyuan.
It was after reading this will that the forr director of the Religious Affairs Bureau dared to keep the hand-copied version, despite the risk of being discovered by Zhenyuan.
After that, these high-level officials often held etings to study the notebook together.
The earlier sections were all mysterious and profound.
There were nas of places like the Oblique Moon Three-Star Cave, Mountain of Mind and Heart, and Eight Hundred Li Shituo Ridge.
They believed these places were probably visited by Zhenyuan, so they didn’t pay much attention.
The later sections, naly the content of the Sunflower Manual, were where their real interest lay.
But this part was equally baffling, and its aning was unclear.
Especially at the beginning, it even required self-mutilation!
This "self-mutilation" was no joke!
Without confirming whether the Sunflower Manual could be cultivated, who would dare to mutilate themselves?
But if they didn’t follow its requirents, they couldn’t test whether this cultivation technique could lead soone onto the Path of Cultivation.
Yet, if they did and found it couldn’t be cultivated, wouldn’t it be a pointless self-mutilation?
Thus, they found themselves stuck here.
No one dared to mutilate themselves, and naturally, no one could verify whether this cultivation technique could be practiced.
Helplessly, they had to temporarily seal the notebook.
They waited for the Spiritual Qi to recover further before verifying its contents.
However, following that, with paranormal events occurring across the country, and Zhenyuan becoming increasingly noticeable, the once "cold" Religious Affairs Bureau suddenly beca highly sought-after.
After much power struggle, the forr director reluctantly transferred to another departnt.
After the new director took office, extensive reforms were carried out.
Many elders were transferred.
If it weren’t for Director He’s strong background, he would probably have been relocated to another place for retirent as well.
Subsequently, the matter of the notebook gradually faded from everyone’s mory.
But unexpectedly, soone in the bureau had long been eyeing that notebook.
When everyone overlooked it, this person acted swiftly and successfully stole the notebook.
"No!"
Director Li lightly shook his head.
"Did you report it to the police?"
Group Leader Qi also asked.
"We didn’t!"
Director Li also shook his head and said, "The director said this matter is too sensitive to report to the police."
"Hmm!"
Director He nodded in agreent.
After all, that notebook had dubious origins and was sothing better left unseen.
Reporting and conducting a large-scale investigation might inadvertently alert Zhenyuan.
If that were to happen, they would face great embarrassnt!
"But if you don’t report it, how will you find it?"
Group Leader Qi was very perplexed.
The police are the professionals at finding people and items.
Only by reporting can they quickly find the person and the notebook.
As for the sensitivity issue, that seed a bit far-fetched.
Moreover, the Religious Affairs Bureau today is full of people from all sides, practically a sieve.
Even without reporting, news of the notebook’s theft had probably already reached those big shots’ ears.
"The director is currently leading a check on the surveillance from that period."
Director Li said helplessly.
"Although this thod is a bit clumsy, it’s at least sowhat effective."
Director He sighed lightly.
After all, there were no other good ways to find the thief.
"Hopefully, we can find the notebook soon!"
Director Li also sighed deeply.
They are currently very dependent on Old Taoist Zhenyuan.
Firstly, because of the vampire zombie incident.
Secondly, because of the collaboration issue with Xiao Yan.
These two big issues seemingly couldn’t be resolved without Zhenyuan.
If the news of the notebook being stolen reached Zhenyuan’s ears, who knows if the old Taoist would be furious?
If Zhenyuan got angry and refused to continue cooperating with them, their situation would beco too passive.
Director He and Group Leader Qi also seed to have realized this, and their expressions did not look good.
Just as the three sighed and worried, the plane landed steadily at the Capital City airport.
After getting off the plane, Director He couldn’t even bother to go ho for a look but rushed straight back to the Religious Affairs Bureau.
"Director, have you found the person who stole the notebook?"
He walked directly into the director’s office and asked the person behind the desk.
The new director of the Religious Affairs Bureau, surnad Xing, was about in his early forties, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, looked very upright.
"Found him!"
Director Xing looked up at Director He and nodded lightly.
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Director He imdiately asked with a gleam of delight in his eyes, "Who is it?"
"Li Yingyuan!"
Director Xing reported a na gravely.
"What? It’s him?"
Upon hearing the na, Director He couldn’t help but exclaim.
This Li Yingyuan was none other than Old Li, who previously investigated Zhenyuan with Elder Song.
During the major personnel changes in the Religious Affairs Bureau, Li Yingyuan was also transferred out.
"How could he have had the chance to access that notebook?"
Director He was very puzzled and confused.
"Li Yingyuan got the librarian Ma and security officer Old Zou drunk and stole their keys..."
Director Xing briefly described the process of the notebook’s theft.
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