Chapter 411: Entering the Game

Since it was decided that the case would be closed, Zhu Cheng began to set about organizing the preliminary closing documents. He prepared them so that when he saw Zhu Zhengfu, he could let him look them over first.

Duan Rong and Zhu Peng could only stare blankly and keep him company.

It was not until the Wei hour in the afternoon that Zhu Cheng finally finished organizing the preliminary closing documents; he stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff waist.

Zhu Cheng tucked the documents into his sleeve and called for Duan Rong to head to Zhu Zhengfu's residence together.

Zhu Peng asked in surprise, "Do I not need to go?"

Zhu Cheng said, "You don't need to. Wait here for us to return."

Zhu Peng grumbled as he sat back down, but he also knew that whether he went or not was not for Zhu Cheng to decide; it was because Zhu Zhengfu had not named him.

In terms of kinship, Zhu Peng still had to call Zhu Zhengfu "Seventh Uncle." And he was a proper, legitimate Seventh Uncle at that.

Yet this Seventh Uncle of his had looked down on him since he was small. In the years he had served as Grand Master of Palace Revenues, Zhu Peng had not gained a single benefit and was even scolded from time to time.

Now, the Secretariat Director Zhu Shizhong was dead, and this Seventh Uncle of his had become the head of the Zhu family in the secular world. He truly did not know whether he should be happy or sigh.

Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng left the room and had just turned into a veranda when suddenly the door of a room not far away opened, and a figure walked out—it was that pockmarked face.

When the pockmarked face saw the two of them, he bowed respectfully and said, "Master Zhu! Master Duan!"

Zhu Cheng made a sound of acknowledgment in his nose and walked past.

After both had walked past, the pockmarked face lowered his hands from the bow, straightened his waist, and walked slowly toward the other side.

Duan Rong sighed slightly.

Although this person had a face full of pockmarks, his demeanor was calm and his manners were very respectful; he looked completely harmless to both humans and animals.

Who would have thought that such a secret plant was placed in the Dali Temple?

Although he was curious, he did not chat with Zhu Cheng about that pockmarked face. Up until now, Duan Rong did not even know what that pockmarked face was called.

Zhu Cheng was different from Zhu Peng. Zhu Peng was a scatterbrain, and chatting with him for a bit was harmless, but Zhu Cheng was clearly a person with a heavy mind. If he were to chat with him about that pockmarked face for no reason, once that pockmarked face was exposed in the future, he would definitely suspect that he had known all along but had not told him.

It was better to talk less.

The two rode two light horses of the Dali Temple and spurred their horses along Changle Street toward Zhu Zhengfu's residence.

They dismounted in front of a rather low-key and secluded residence, and after Zhu Cheng knocked on the door, he handed his visiting card to the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper let the two drink tea and wait in a reception hall, while he himself took Zhu Cheng's visiting card and headed to the Back Courtyard.

Before the two had even warmed their seats, the gatekeeper walked back and led them to the flower hall in the Back Courtyard.

The two stepped into the flower hall and saw a middle-aged man sitting on a grand armchair, dressed casually and wearing a beard; his complexion was sallow, and his eyes flashed with a steady, cunning light.

As soon as Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong entered the flower hall, they both immediately cupped their hands and said, "Master Zhu!"

Zhu Zhengfu stood up with a smile and said, "We are not in the court now, so you two need not stand on ceremony; please sit wherever you like."

Upon hearing this, the two sat down on the chairs to the side.

As soon as he sat down, Zhu Cheng glanced at Duan Rong, took the documents from his sleeve, looked up at Zhu Zhengfu, and said, "Regarding the case of Secretariat Director Zhu Shizhong, after a month of open investigation and secret inquiries by the Dali Temple, this subordinate feels that it is time to apply to close the case. These are the closing documents; I ask that you look them over, Master!"

As Zhu Cheng spoke, he already held the closing documents in his hands.

Logically speaking, the procedure for these closing documents should be for the Temple Rectifier of the Dali Temple to submit them to the Vice Minister of the Dali Temple, who, after reviewing them, would submit them to the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Once the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review reviewed and stamped them, the case could be declared closed. After sending one copy of the closing documents to the Secretariat Director for filing and one copy to the Advisory Grand Master to notify them of the closure, the matter would be finished.

By rights, this matter of criminal law had absolutely nothing to do with the Grand Master of Palace Revenues, but Zhu Cheng had to ask Zhu Zhengfu to look over this closing document before it was even submitted.

When it came down to it, the Ya Men's procedures were just for show; after all, the one who died was the head of the Zhu family in the secular world. To close the case, not only did Zhu Zhengfu need to nod, but it also depended on the intentions of that person in the Elder Council.

"Oh?" Zhu Zhengfu's gaze shifted.

Zhu Cheng immediately stood up and respectfully handed the documents in his hands to Zhu Zhengfu.

Zhu Zhengfu took them and immediately flipped them open.

After reading, Zhu Zhengfu closed the scroll and fell silent.

Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong also did not speak, waiting for Zhu Zhengfu to talk.

After a while, Zhu Zhengfu smiled, looked at them, and said, "You two have worked hard! Especially young friend Duan, who is young but able to observe the finest details, summon heavenly thunder, and dig out the thief behind the murder. It was not easy!"

"Although we couldn't ferret out the mastermind because of the secret plant Zhou Wei, being able to expose the secret plant Zhou Wei is also a great achievement!"

As Zhu Zhengfu spoke, he placed the closing documents on the side table before continuing, "Since the trail has gone cold, dragging it out further is of no use. In my opinion, it is time to close the case."

When Zhu Cheng heard this, there was still not a trace of expression on his face.

At this time, Zhu Zhengfu glanced at Zhu Cheng and said, "I will report this matter to the Ancestor; wait for news."

"Ah! Thank you, Master!" Zhu Cheng's eyes lit up as he said this.

Afterward, they chatted casually for a few more sentences.

Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng then stood up to take their leave.

At this moment, Zhu Zhengfu suddenly kept Duan Rong behind and said, "Young friend Duan, stay for a moment; this old man still has a few words to say to you."

Duan Rong was slightly startled; he was only assisting with the case, so why was this person keeping him? Moreover, calling him "young friend" every other word sounded so intimate that it gave him goosebumps.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cheng glanced at Duan Rong and immediately cupped his hands and retreated. Zhu Zhengfu clearly wanted to speak with Duan Rong alone.

After Zhu Cheng retreated, Duan Rong looked at Zhu Zhengfu with a curious expression, but Zhu Zhengfu smiled and said, "Young friend Duan, don't be impatient! Let's wait for the kitchen to prepare a few small dishes, and we can chat while we eat."

Duan Rong was even more surprised; it wasn't even mealtime yet, and he was already starting to prepare small dishes—what kind of medicine was this old fellow hiding in his gourd? However, he smiled faintly on his face and said, "Then I shall trouble you, Master Zhu!"

Zhu Zhengfu smiled and said, "Young friend, no need to be a stranger."

The two chatted in the flower hall for a while longer, and then Zhu Zhengfu invited Duan Rong to move to a study that looked even more secluded.

They saw that on an eight-immortal table in the study, several plates of dishes and a pot of wine had already been set out.

The two sat down, and Zhu Zhengfu poured a cup of wine for Duan Rong and then poured one for himself.

Zhu Zhengfu raised his cup and said, "Young friend Duan is a young man of talent; your future is limitless! Come, I will rely on my seniority to toast you, young friend!"

Duan Rong immediately raised his cup and said, "Master, you flatter me! How could I, Duan Rong, deserve this?"

The two finished their drinks.

Zhu Zhengfu then urged Duan Rong to eat a few of the rather exquisite dishes.

Zhu Zhengfu put down his chopsticks and suddenly said, "Young friend Duan, the matter of you summoning heavenly thunder is already known to our Ancestor. The Ancestor has nothing but praise for you, young friend!"

"Lord Zhu He?!" Duan Rong's expression shifted as he spoke.

"Exactly! My Ancestor is none other than the Head of the Sect's Inner History Department, Lord Zhu He!"

Duan Rong feigned surprise: "Lord Zhu He is already aware of this matter?"

"Naturally. The Ancestor has been following this case closely as well." Zhu Zhengfu looked at Duan Rong and smiled: "The Ancestor praises you, little friend, for your meticulous mind and broad, magnanimous spirit; one day, you will surely be a peerless talent."

Duan Rong smiled slightly. He felt that Zhu Zhengfu was just feeding him empty flattery; he did not believe Zhu He would praise him like that.

This man was truly an old fox, and his skin was thicker than a city wall; such a person in officialdom was a rare specimen indeed!

As if he did not see Duan Rong's subtle smile, Zhu Zhengfu continued: "The Ancestor also said that the most gratifying thing in this world is to obtain the talents of the world and teach them. Little friend Duan, although you are still an Outer Sect Disciple, you have already gained the Ancestor's favor, which is truly something to be happy and proud of! Come, let me toast you again, little friend Duan!"

Duan Rong's heart trembled.

This Zhu Zhengfu was speaking in riddles! Listening to the implication, it seemed as if Zhu He had the intention of recruiting him, yet he did not make it explicit, speaking in a vague, half-true, half-false manner.

Duan Rong immediately raised his cup, the two looked at each other and smiled, and they drank the wine in their cups dry.

Zhu Zhengfu set down his wine cup, but suddenly stood up and walked to the depths of the study. When he returned to the wine table, he was holding a box of ancient books in his hands.

Zhu Zhengfu carefully placed the object in the empty space on the table and said: "Little friend Duan, not only do you have the reputation of a divine investigator, but your poetic talent is also profound. I have already had the honor of reading that poem, 'Early Travel on Shang Mountain'; it is truly a fine poem!"

Duan Rong smiled: "A mere trifle, not worth mentioning."

That poem, 'Early Travel on Shang Mountain', having been praised by Qin Xueyin, was already widely recited among the scholars and literati of Shenyun Prefecture. Zhu Zhengfu had also learned of this two days ago, and knowing it was written by Duan Rong, he had immediately read it carefully.

Zhu He had previously written to him; in the letter, besides discussing the situation within Shenyun Prefecture, he had specifically instructed him to find an opportunity to win over Duan Rong.

In his haste, he was just worrying about how to win him over when he saw that poem, 'Early Travel on Shang Mountain', and immediately, a plan formed in his mind.

Zhu Zhengfu said: "Little friend Duan is too modest. Many things in this world are dictated by talent. For many things, if you haven't achieved them before the age of twenty, there is no hope for a lifetime."

As Zhu Zhengfu spoke, his tone was actually quite desolate.

On Zhu Zhengfu's clever face, Duan Rong saw a flash of genuine emotion for the first time, and for a moment, he was slightly stunned.

Zhu Zhengfu, however, suddenly smiled, and the desolation that had just welled up on his face vanished in an instant, replaced once again by a slick, clever smiling face.

"Since little friend Duan has such profound poetic talent, you must also be a lover of poetry." As Zhu Zhengfu spoke, he reached out and stroked the box of ancient books, just like a loving mother stroking a sleeping child. "This is a rare hand-copied manuscript of Gao Qingqiu; this person was also a man of high and elegant poetic talent. Little friend, you will surely be able to commune with him in spirit! Gifting this to you can be considered finding a worthy master for it!"

"Gao Qingqiu?!" Upon hearing this, Duan Rong's expression shifted slightly.

Gao Qingqiu was the most famous poet in this world, having been dead for over a thousand years. He was a man from Yong Province who had traveled in the Western Regions for many years; his poetry connected Buddhism and Daoism, its charm was natural, and its artistic conception was like an antelope hanging by its horns, leaving no traces to be found.

Duan Rong gently placed his hand on the manuscript and thought to himself: "Spirit Reader."

In an instant, a set of data appeared before Duan Rong's eyes.

Artifact: Gao Qingqiu's Rare Poetry Manuscript

Spirit Artifact Tier: Thirteenth Tier

Devour Requirement: Host's Mental Power Level 13 (Not met)

Devour Effect: Textual Samadhi Level 12, Natural Charm Level 8, Communing with Heaven and Man Level 3.

Looking at the data appearing before him, Duan Rong clicked his tongue slightly. The Spirit Artifact Tier of this poetry manuscript had actually reached the thirteenth tier; with the strength of his Divine Soul, which had achieved the eleventh level of the Womb Treasury Sutra, he could not even devour it.

The spirit of this Gao Qingqiu poetry manuscript was even one tier higher than the spirit of Ni Yunlin's painting, 'Autumn Clearing at the Fishing Villa'.

Truly, a thousand years have passed, yet the poetic soul remains undying!

A certain fervor rolled in Duan Rong's eyes. He was not coveting the object before him; he was marveling at the immortality of this poetic soul.

But as Zhu Zhengfu watched, he assumed he had sent the right gift.

After Zhu Zhengfu insisted repeatedly, Duan Rong finally accepted the item. Because he could see that Zhu Zhengfu was gifting it with sincerity.

The two drank a few more cups and chatted for a while before Zhu Zhengfu personally saw Duan Rong out.

Watching Duan Rong leave with the box of poetry manuscripts, only then did a flash of heartache cross Zhu Zhengfu's eyes. That rare Gao Qingqiu poetry manuscript was also his beloved possession; if it weren't for the Ancestor instructing him to win over Duan Rong, he really wouldn't have been willing to part with it.

It wasn't that he was willing to spend the capital; the Ancestor's letters never contained useless words, and even a single mention was a major matter. If he didn't handle it well, when the time came to settle accounts, he would be the one to suffer the consequences.

Duan Rong rode his horse slowly through the twilight of dusk.

He found it very strange: why did Zhu Zhengfu give him such a generous gift?

And what exactly did that talk during the banquet about "obtaining the talents of the world and teaching them" mean?

Was it really Zhu He's intention, or was Zhu Zhengfu just using the topic to make a point? Duan Rong could not make up his mind for a moment.

However, he also noticed that although he had assisted in investigating this case and did not dig out the mastermind, he had at least cleared up the cause of death of the Secretariat Director Zhu Shizhong.

Duan Rong had originally thought that he had mastered that balance very well.

But later, he thought that even if it were just that, in the eyes of other factions, he was already considered a person on the Zhu family's side. After all, he had assisted the Zhu family in investigating the case, had made progress, and had even gone so far as to summon heavenly lightning for it.

In other words, although he did not want to enter the game, in reality, from the moment he stepped into Shenyun Prefecture, he was already in the game. It was just that he had naively thought he could walk through the flowers without a single petal sticking to him.

This was also the reason he was willing to accept Zhu Zhengfu's gift. Since other factions already considered him a person of the Zhu family, why should he continue to hide and be disliked by both sides?

Even so, for some reason, Duan Rong always felt strange, as if he had been schemed against. But he could not say exactly what it was.

Over the next few days, because they had to wait for a reply, Duan Rong, Zhu Cheng, and Zhu Peng began to travel together.

Three days later, the reply from the Sect arrived, consisting of only four words: The case can be closed.

That same day, Zhu Cheng submitted the case-closing documents.

After the case-closing documents were submitted, many invitations actually arrived at the Dali Temple, and they were all for Duan Rong.

Duan Rong opened them one by one; many officials of various ranks within Shenyun Prefecture were included, even the Prefecture Master Wang Maochun and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Shanmeng. While the case was being investigated, they dared not invite Duan Rong for fear of being suspected of interfering with the investigation. Once the case-closing documents were submitted, the invitations to invite Duan Rong came flying in like snowflakes.

Duan Rong only attended the invitations of Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng.

After all, he had already learned that within the Sect, the struggle for the next Sect Master was between the faction of Zhu He on one side, and the faction of Lv Zhongtang and Ge Rusong on the other.

As for Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng, these two were actually non-partisan. Therefore, even if he went to attend their banquets, there would be no problem.

As for the other officials of various ranks, Duan Rong declined them one by one with replies, his tone and attitude naturally being extremely respectful. He could not afford to offend a single official in Shenyun Prefecture, but there were simply too many of them; how could he attend them all? Moreover, these officials had complex backgrounds, and he did not understand them, so how could he dare to go indiscriminately?

As for the Advisory Grand Master Ge Hengtai, he did not invite Duan Rong; perhaps it was because the case had ended unpleasantly, or perhaps he had other thoughts in mind.

However, this was also fine. If Ge Hengtai had invited him, Duan Rong would have been in a real dilemma. If he didn't go, he would be rejecting the face of one of the Four Ministers; if he did go, in the eyes of others, wouldn't he become a fence-sitter? Therefore, Duan Rong felt that even if Ge Hengtai had invited him, he would likely have politely declined in the end.

Ge Hengtai must have anticipated this as well, so he did not send an invitation, avoiding the risk of asking for a snub.

(End of chapter)