When Hong Yuanqiu heard Zhang Yu announce his identity as "Xuanting Patrol Guard", he couldn't help but feel a jolt.
Although the official surnamed Wang's message had already been delivered, Miao Guangwu didn't dare reveal his identity without Zhang Yu's explicit explanation. Thus, Hong Yuanqiu had always believed that Zhang Yu was just a Xuanting Patrol Guard.
He was worth paying attention to, but not worth paying too much attention to.
But now, the other party was telling him that his true identity was Xuanting Patrol Guard, a Xuanting Emissary with the power to judge.
One had to know that the Xuanting Patrol Guard could at most monitor all sides, but as long as the Patrol Guard had proof, he had the power to detain anyone in the Kui Mansion.
At this moment, he also understood why Xuanting Solemnly sent an emissary many days ago.
This probably didn't just involve the Froststar matter, but also the Xuanting Patrol Guard behind it.
He sized up Zhang Yu with great seriousness. Solemnly, he said, "So it is Xuanting Patrol Guard. My apologies." He stepped to the side and made a gesture of invitation. "Patrol Guard, please come in."
Zhang Yu followed him into the inner hall. He swept his gaze around. Tanquan City's decorations could be said to be colorful, and some places could be said to be luxurious. However, this room, which could be said to hold the greatest power in the Kui Mansion, was only decorated with the simplest of decorations. It appeared particularly plain.
Hong Yuanqiu personally poured him a cup of tea. His tone was quite natural as he said, "Just some ordinary tea leaves. I hope Patrol Guard will be used to them."
Zhang Yu said calmly, "No problem. Ordinary tea leaves reveal their true flavor."
Hong Yuanqiu smiled. He sat down on the chair across from him and said, "Patrol Guard, have you come here to seek guidance?"
Zhang Yu had always acted as a Patrol Guard before. Hong Yuanqiu guessed that it was because he wanted to make it easier to investigate. But now, he suddenly came to the Military Affairs Department and announced his identity. Something unusual must have happened.
If it was just the Froststar matter, it probably wouldn't be so serious.
Zhang Yu: "I just returned from Frost Star yesterday. Chief Hong must have received the news from there?"
Hong Yuanqiu nodded. "I've received it." His voice turned solemn. "That great formation covered the northern end of the Frost Star. Even though Miao Guangwu was the commander of the garrison, he didn't notice it at all. He can't absolve himself from the blame."
Although Miao Guangwu had been very cooperative when they were on Frost Star, Zhang Yu hadn't argued for him. That was because there was indeed something wrong with this garrison major. That formation had existed for three years, and it was not an exaggeration to say that he had neglected his duty.
From Miao Guangwu's description, it seemed that he had trusted his subordinates too much, which led to his oversight. However, if he had personally gone to check, he wouldn't have been so easily deceived.
Zhang Yu: "Chief Hong, regarding the Shuangxing incident, other than the problem with the garrison, there are also spies in Shangchen in the Military Affairs Department."
Hong Yuanqiu said solemnly, "After reading the report, I think so too. We're currently investigating." He looked at Zhang Yu. "Patrol Guard, do you have other opinions?"
Zhang Yu: "After I discovered the great formation, I sought out Miao Guangwu and asked him to send someone here to report it. Just to be safe, I also sent another report to Xuanting at the same time.
However, when Chief Hong's men arrived, the subordinate sent by Miao Guangwu was still nowhere to be seen. It's very likely that something happened along the way. "
Hong Yuanqiu nodded and said, "Regarding this matter, I also ordered someone to investigate after receiving the news. There was indeed an invisible airship heading towards Kuzu Earth, but because there was no prior report, it was destroyed by a patrolling airship on the same day as an enemy airship."
Zhang Yu asked, "Who was the person driving the airship?"
Hong Yuanqiu said, "He's just an ordinary soldier with no entanglements with anyone. Besides, he reported the incident immediately after the incident. According to the military regulations, although he was a little radical in his actions, he didn't commit any mistakes. He fulfilled his duties as a patrolling soldier, so the Military Affairs Department can't punish him for this.
He looked at Zhang Yu and continued, "Due to the special circumstances and the fact that Deputy Deng Cong didn't do anything wrong, I've already asked the Military Affairs Department to recognize him as a soldier who sacrificed himself in the battle."
Zhang Yu's eyes flashed. It wasn't difficult for him to see that the mastermind had made all the necessary arrangements before taking action and didn't leave any loopholes.
Of course, this didn't mean that Deputy Deng Cong would be fine if he took the initiative to reveal his identity that day. There were plenty of ways to intercept you.
He knew that no matter how much he pursued this matter, there wouldn't be any results at the moment, so he didn't mention it for the time being. He changed the topic and said, "This time on Frost Star, I killed a suspected Dao soldier sent by Shangchen cultivators to clean up the mess. After some investigation, I found out this person's identity. This person was actually the former Xuanting Patrol Guard, Ding Xuanping."
When Hong Yuanqiu heard this, he couldn't help but be moved.
He said regretfully, "I've also heard of this Patrol Guard Ding. I've also read his records. This person went missing near a desolate Earth Star and his whereabouts have been unknown ever since. Now that I've heard from Patrol Guard Ding, it turns out that he was refined into a Dao soldier by Shangchen cultivators. What a pity."
Zhang Yu looked at Hong Yuanqiu's expression. Obviously, Hong Yuanqiu didn't realize the crux of the matter. However, this wasn't surprising because Hong Yuanqiu wasn't a Dao cultivator and didn't know Ding Xuanping's true strength.
He said, "But the person who dealt with Patrol Guard Ding might not be a Shangchen cultivator."
When Hong Yuanqiu heard this, his expression turned cold. He said, "Does Patrol Guard Zhang suspect that it was someone from the Kui Constellation who did it?"
Zhang Yu said slowly, "A Dao soldier can only be refined when the cultivator is alive. However, Patrol Guard Ding was the former Xuanting Patrol Guard. I've fought with him before and know that his supernatural powers are all brilliant. It can be said that he's only one step away from attaining the Primordial Spirit."
He looked at Hong Yuanqiu. "It's possible to kill Patrol Guard Ding, but if you want to capture him alive, only Xuan Zun or the Evil God's True Spirit can do it.
However, I've investigated and found that Patrol Guard Ding went missing near Sui Star. Although that place is desolate, it's only four or five days away from the main planet. If such a powerful enemy came here, it's impossible for that person to not notice. "
Hong Yuanqiu's expression suddenly changed. He naturally understood Zhang Yu's meaning. However, the problem was that regardless of whether this conclusion was valid or not, there was a guess that was hidden behind it that no one dared to think about.
After a long while, he took a deep breath and said slowly, "Is Patrol Guard Ding overestimating this person's strength?"
Zhang Yu said with absolute certainty, "Absolutely not."
Hong Yuanqiu questioned, "But didn't he still lose to Patrol Guard Zhang?"
Zhang Yu said calmly, "I can kill him, but I can't capture him alive."
Hong Yuanqiu couldn't help but frown. He didn't speak for a long time. It was obvious that he had doubts about this.
Zhang Yu understood that Hong Yuanqiu was just unwilling to believe that could be the worst deduction at present.
He didn't continue on this topic. Instead, he said, "No matter who made the move, the person who controlled Patrol Guard Ding should have been on the Kui Constellation at the time."
Hong Yuanqiu looked at him and said, "Why do you say so?"
Zhang Yu said, "Judging from the time of Patrol Guard Ding's appearance, it was four days after the formation was exposed. During this time, only by setting out from the Kui Constellation could we have reached Frost Star in time. Moreover, I was sent out with the Wei Clan army, attacked halfway, and then I killed two Shangchen cultivators. In the end, Patrol Guard Ding came in the midst of a snowstorm. The entire matter can be linked together."
Hong Yuanqiu thought for a moment. Although he didn't want the worst result to happen, he couldn't not investigate this matter. He said, "Patrol Guard Zhang, since you came here today, I'm sure you already have a plan in mind. How do you want the Military Affairs Department to cooperate?"
Zhang Yu said, "Patrol Guard Ding's corpse is now preserved on Frost Star. I've already asked Miao Sima to look after it for me. I plan to transport his corpse back and return it to his sect. Although he's now a Dao soldier, if we find someone skilled in spying, we might be able to find something useful from his corpse."
Although Hong Yuanqiu was the director, he had been promoted step by step. He immediately understood Zhang Yu's meaning. He said, "Patrol Guard wants to use this to test the waters?"
Zhang Yu said calmly, "This is the best way to verify it. It doesn't matter if it doesn't succeed."
Hong Yuanqiu thought for a moment. This method was indeed feasible.
Regardless of whether they could find anything from Ding Xuanping's corpse, if he was the mastermind behind it, it would be safest to destroy him. If the mastermind knew about this, it was very likely that he would choose to make a move on the return journey. Then, as long as they were prepared in advance, they might be able to find out who the mastermind was.
And as Zhang Yu said, they wouldn't lose anything even if they didn't succeed.
He said solemnly, "I'll make the arrangements accordingly. I hope Patrol Guard Zhang will also make some preparations."
Zhang Yu nodded. "I'll report this matter to the Xuanting first."
Hong Yuanqiu relaxed slightly. "That's good."
Zhang Yu said, "I'd like to ask, does the Military Affairs Department have a record of that disciple's records?"
Hong Yuanqiu pondered for a moment, then stood up and walked into an inner room. After a while, he came out and handed over a scroll. He said, "The scrolls of all the disciples under that person's tutelage are all here."
Zhang Yu took it, thanked him, and put it away into his astral bag.
Hong Yuanqiu then handed over a transmission talisman. "Patrol Guard, it'll attract too much attention if you come here. If everything is ready, you can send a message to me."
Zhang Yu took the transmission talisman and put it away as well. He then said, "There's something I'd like to ask, Chief Hong. Who was it that arranged for the Wei and Fu Clans to go to Frost Star that day?"
Hong Yuanqiu said, "I've already sent someone to investigate. The official who suggested this at the time was named Li Ming. He was also an old official, but he had already committed suicide by taking poison at home before the soldiers arrived. The investigation is still ongoing."
Zhang Yu nodded. This matter was not unexpected. The other party would definitely plug this loophole. He stood up and saluted. "Chief Hong, I'll send you a message as soon as I'm ready. I'll take my leave now." With that, he glanced at a certain direction, then turned and walked out.
Hong Yuanqiu stood up to send him off. After Zhang Yu left, an old Taoist appeared in the corner of the hall. He sighed. "This Patrol Guard has such powerful senses. I'm afraid he already knows I'm here."
Hong Yuanqiu frowned. "Guan Daoxiu, is Patrol Guard Ding's strength as Patrol Guard Zhang said?"
Guan Daoxiu was silent for a moment. "I can't say for sure like Patrol Guard Zhang, but if I were to fight Fellow Daoist Ding back then, I don't think I'd have any chance of winning."
… …
… …
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
