: The Divine Constable Investigates

Upon receiving Fei Si's plea for help, Zhu Xuanji prioritized the bigger picture and immediately left the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

When cultivators enter the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, they are guided by treasure light, but no such convenience is provided upon departure.

However, Meng Kui couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

After he disrupted the demon beast formations, Zhu Xuanji managed to break free and soared into the sky.

A short while later, he arrived at the Cloud Market and met with Song Fuli and Fei Si.

Song Fuli clasped his hands, his face full of anticipation and urgency: "Lord Zhu Xuanji, I've long heard of your great reputation!"

"The auction is about to begin, yet all our auction items have been stolen."

"I came from afar, never expecting to fall victim to thieves in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. Now, I can only rely on your power."

Zhu Xuanji nodded: "No problem, I will certainly do my utmost this time."

Arriving at the scene, Zhu Xuanji didn't waste time, immediately employing his signature techniques.

Tracing to the Source Art!

Heavenly Talent — Golden Eyes!

In an instant, he saw the scene of Yang Chanyu and Sun Lingtong collaborating, forging the goods, and placing them on the shelves.

The truth was instantly revealed!

Zhu Xuanji sighed, dispelled the spell, and took a deep look at Song Fuli.

Song Fuli's face was full of urgency: "Lord Zhu, what did you find?"

Fei Si also stood nearby, staring intently at Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly: "I found out... it was Yang Chanyu and Sun Lingtong who did it."

"Even though the two concealed their tracks, they couldn't escape my Golden Eyes. After some investigation, I uncovered the truth."

"The Never Empty Sect!" Fei Si gritted his teeth, his voice filled with hatred.

"The Never Empty Sect..." Song Fuli also clenched his fist, showing anger.

He looked at Zhu Xuanji and Fei Si: "The key now is how to retrieve my treasures from them."

"Lord Fei Si, I remember clearly how you responded when I first entered the city and saw the ruins from the Golden Core battle."

"You said there was no problem, that Fire Persimmon Immortal City was quite safe, and the City Lord's Manor had everything under control."

"But now, look!"

"Evil demons run rampant in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, and my goods were stolen so easily."

"What do you have to say about this? Your City Lord's Manor must give me, the victim, an explanation, right?"

"We Cloud Merchants have traveled a long way, facing countless risks, just trying to do some honest business. Is it easy?"

"Who would have thought we wouldn't fall on the road, but instead get robbed right here in the Immortal City!"

Fei Si looked embarrassed, forcing a smile as he tried to reassure: "Brother Song, please rest assured. We will definitely do everything in our power to track down and recover your goods."

Song Fuli spread his hands: "The auction starts in just two days. Can you really recover them in such a short time?"

"Moreover, news of the auction has already been spread."

"If it can't be held, what will happen to our Cloud Merchant reputation?"

"Ah!"

Song Fuli was so anxious he slapped his thigh, looking truly frantic.

Fei Si's expression was grave. He also knew that recovering the goods from the true disciples of the Never Empty Sect in such a short time was extremely difficult, with little hope.

But this matter had to be handled, and handled smoothly and impressively!

He took a deep breath and immediately stated: "I will go see Lord Meng Kui right now, report this matter, and ask the City Lord to decide!"

Before leaving, Fei Si glanced at Zhu Xuanji,恳请 the latter to continue the investigation.

Zhu Xuanji nodded, immediately agreeing, but also stated that he could only do his best and couldn't guarantee any results within two days.

Fei Si sighed, clasped his hands, and took his leave.

He transformed into a rainbow, flying straight towards the top of Fire Persimmon Mountain.

Zhu Xuanji, however, stayed behind. He smiled lightly at Song Fuli: "Brother Song, there's something quite interesting I need to tell you."

"According to my recent investigation, when Yang Chanyu and Sun Lingtong stole the treasures, they weren't here, but inside the Cloud Whale."

Song Fuli immediately raised his eyebrows: "What do you mean by that?"

Zhu Xuanji put his hands behind his back and looked out the window at the Cloud Whale floating in the sky: "There's a difference between your merchant group's treasures being stolen inside the Cloud Whale and being stolen in Fire Persimmon Immortal City."

"In the former case, the primary responsibility lies with your side. For the latter, the City Lord's Manor of Fire Persimmon Immortal City is the main party to be held accountable."

"Don't you agree?"

Song Fuli took a light breath and laughed: "Lord Zhu, you mustn't speak carelessly. If you want to accuse us of falsification, concealing the truth, and pretending the treasures were stolen in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, you need solid evidence."

"Although you are a Divine Constable, you come from the Southern Bean Royal Family, and your allegiance lies with Fire Persimmon Immortal City. So, your testimony cannot be considered evidence."

Zhu Xuanji snorted coldly, turned to stare at Song Fuli, his gaze becoming very sharp: "You also know I'm a royal family member. Even without evidence, so what? Can't I still deal with you?"

Song Fuli took a slight step back, as if avoiding Zhu Xuanji's sharpness, his tone soft yet firm: "Within the Southern Bean Nation, you are the host, we are the guests. If you want to deal with us outsiders, it would naturally be easy and effortless."

"If you really take action against us, we can only accept our fate."

"However, would the esteemed Lord Zhu Xuanji really do such a thing?"

"The Divine Constable Zhu, who has always admired Fang Qing, is the Golden Core招牌 of the Southern Bean Royal Family. How could he attack someone who is merely suspect without any evidence?"

"I, Song Fuli, don't believe it!"

By the end, Song Fuli's expression was resolute, his tone decisive.

At this moment, the clash between the two Golden Core cultivators was sharper than blades and swords!

Zhu Xuanji couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

He stared intently at Song Fuli, the sharp aura around him收敛了起来, his tone softening: "You've investigated my situation quite thoroughly, even knowing about my usual admiration for Fang Qing's ways."

"It seems your side also wants a share of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace?"

Since things had reached this point, there was no point in Song Fuli hiding anything anymore.

He索性坦诚道: "Yes, after hearing about the recruitment order issued by your country's monarch, we set out to come here."

"As Cloud Merchants, we don't act without profit."

"Our side has carefully studied the recruitment order. After serious consideration, we believe we are qualified, right?"

Zhu Xuanji chuckled lightly and nodded: "Of course you are qualified! As part of the Southern Bean Royal Family, I welcome this and look forward to our cooperation even more."

Seeing Zhu Xuanji smile, Song Fuli also smiled, greatly easing the tension in the room.

He said solemnly: "I have felt Lord Zhu's sincerity!"

Song Fuli was referring to the fact that Zhu Xuanji had just discovered the truth – that Yang and Sun had stolen the treasures inside the Cloud Whale – but hadn't revealed it, instead covering for the Cloud Merchants.

Zhu Xuanji, as a royal family member, had to consider the Zhu family's interests.

His intention to conceal was clear: to win over Song Fuli and his group.

After all, in the struggle over the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, Zhu Xuanji would likely ultimately face Meng Kui.

Zhu Xuanji was Golden Core, while Meng Kui was Nascent Soul level. The difference in their cultivation was astounding.

Therefore, Zhu Xuanji wanted to form alliances, trying to win over Song Fuli's group, who possessed the Cloud Whale, hoping to use the Cloud Whale to somewhat counter Meng Kui.

The situation developing to this point was something Fei Si hadn't anticipated.

He flew to the top of Fire Persimmon Mountain and paid respects to Meng Kui.

Meng Kui gazed at the Cloud Whale in the distance, remaining silent for a long while before nodding slightly. He authorized Fei Si to negotiate properly with the Cloud Merchants and allowed him to cede some benefits.

Meng Kui, considering his political achievements and choosing the lesser of two evils, could only opt to win over the Cloud Merchants.

"To think that one day, I, old man, would be constrained by a spirit!"

Meng Kui's gaze pierced through layers of clouds, looking down at the entire Molten Rock Immortal Palace,暗含恼怒.

In his view, the bombardment of Fire Persimmon Mountain by the Five Elements Artillery Towers was the work of the Longyuan Fire Spirit. Even if some cultivator was involved, the Longyuan Fire Spirit, as the palace spirit, was absolutely indispensable, at the very least a major accomplice!

"In the future, when my Meng family controls the Immortal Palace, we will certainly discipline this Longyuan Fire Spirit thoroughly!"

"But the immediate priority is to secretly contact this palace spirit and play along."

During this time, Meng Kui had ordered his subordinates to make repeated attempts to contact the Longyuan Fire Spirit, but all had failed, with zero progress.

"Zhu Xuanji should know some secrets. The Southern Bean Royal Family has close ties with the Three Sects' Superior, but probing him about this requires extreme caution."

Meng Kui's gaze was profound: "Zhu Xuanji is sharp-minded. If he becomes aware that the palace spirit has divided loyalties, it would be much more troublesome."

Meng Kui temporarily kept the palace spirit's secret. In his view, Zhu Xuanji, representing the Southern Bean Royal Family, had always been his main competitor.

Zhu Xuanji, meanwhile, secretly reached a verbal agreement with Song Fuli to join forces, attempting to ally the weak against the strong.

Song Fuli, leveraging the competitive relationship between the royal family and the local authorities, sought to recover the losses from the theft, and had great hope of success.

The open and hidden博弈 among the three parties greatly consumed their respective energy and time. As a result, Ning Zhuo's side gained breathing space.

Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

The Longyuan Fire Spirit, barely containing its excitement, once again主动联络 Ning Zhuo: "Yo-Young Master... good news, Zhu Xuanji has left, he's left the Immortal Palace."

"It's time for us to act, to eliminate Ning Xiaohui!"

Yang Chanyu also confirmed Zhu Xuanji's movements.

Sun Lingtong was sent to infiltrate near Ning Zhuo, transmitting a message to the latter: "Brother, I've figured it out!"

"That Song Fuli is also a奸商! He probably discovered the theft long ago but kept it quiet, moved the fakes into the Immortal City, fabricated the crime scene, and then went to the City Lord's Manor to demand compensation."

"Rumors about the theft have already spread throughout the Immortal City. This was likely secretly instructed by Song Fuli, spread intentionally to exonerate himself and pressure the City Lord's Manor."

"Zhu Xuanji left the Immortal Palace this time precisely to investigate this major theft case."

"Since he's not in the Immortal Palace now, it is indeed a good time to act."

"Let me take action, with Yang Chanyu providing covert protection. We'll eliminate Ning Xiaohui and remove this major threat!"

Sun Lingtong was itching for action.

But Ning Zhuo frowned deeply, pacing back and forth in his room multiple times.

"No, wait a little longer." Ning Zhuo was纠结犹豫, but ultimately decided to hold Sun Lingtong back for now.

Sun Lingtong was puzzled, but over a decade of默契 made him understand: Ning Zhuo must have his reasons for choosing this way.

"Alright, I'll stay close to her, waiting for your signal at all times."

"Contact me using the Life Thread!"

"Just say the word, and I'll act immediately."

Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo reached an agreement.

The Longyuan Fire Spirit waited left and right, but neither Ning Zhuo nor Sun Lingtong made a move.

It was so anxious it jumped up and down on its throne.

It kept roaring lowly: "Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo! What are you waiting for? What are you still hesitating about?!"

"Act, act quickly!!"

"That Ning Xiaohui is about to get a position, ah!唉! Truly, one cannot scheme with a fool!"

Roar, Roar.

The Longyuan Fire Spirit was so anxious it tilted its head back and shot out pillars of fire.

(End of )