Chapter 502: Please Cooperate in a Performance

Chen Mu spoke without deference or arrogance, "Guo Wuqiu secretly defected to the Longevity Sect, smuggling over three hundred captives and murdering innocent civilians. Evidence and culprits were both caught; he is now under arrest and awaiting disposition at the headquarters."

Saying this, Chen Mu pulled from his robe a stack of ledgers, several letters, and a Longevity Sect token, presenting them all together.

Wei Qinghe took them and flipped through page by page.

His expression grew darker, blacker; the aura around him grew colder.

When he reached the final page, he slammed the ledger shut and looked up at Guo Wuqiu.

Guo Wuqiu collapsed on the ground, face ashen, daring not to meet Wei Qinghe's gaze.

"Good. Good. Good."

Wei Qinghe said "good" three times in succession, his voice as cold as ten-thousand-year ice: "Among my subordinates, such a traitor has arisen. Over thirty years, holding six posts—I thought you capable. Yet I never imagined…"

Wei Qinghe waved his hand: "Bring him! Take Guo Wuqiu to the death cell and guard him closely!"

A squad of armored soldiers surged forward and dragged Guo Wuqiu away.

Wei Qinghe turned to Chen Mu and bowed deeply: "Chen Xuncha Shi, your righteousness has unearthed this traitor. On behalf of the Jiannan Dao Zhenwu Si, I thank you, Xuncha Shi."

Chen Mu returned the bow: "Commandant, you are too kind. It is my duty."

Wei Qinghe looked at Chen Mu, his eyes filled with admiration: "So young, yet possessing such skill—no wonder your name appears on the Master List. Chen Xuncha Shi, come inside. I have prepared wine to welcome you."

Chen Mu was about to refuse, but Wei Qinghe raised his hand to stop him.

"Chen Xuncha Shi, wait. I have another favor to ask."

Chen Mu paused slightly: "Commandant, please speak."

Wei Qinghe fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Guo Wuqiu has served in the Zhenwu Si for over thirty years, rising from a low clerk to a provincial governor, and now as Head of the Ri Si Li. He must have accomplices within the headquarters—collaborators. Unless these vermin are purged, I cannot sleep or eat in peace."

Wei Qinghe fixed Chen Mu with a sincere gaze: "Since you were able to expose Guo Wuqiu, you must have unique methods. I ask you to remain in the provincial capital for a few days and help me uncover Guo Wuqiu's accomplices within the Zhenwu Si headquarters. Investigate everyone connected to him."

Chen Mu paused, then nodded.

"I am willing to assist."

Wei Qinghe beamed, clapping Chen Mu on the shoulder: "Excellent! Chen Xuncha Shi, investigate freely—I stand behind you. Anyone who obstructs you, name my title and deal with them!"

Chen Mu smiled faintly and bowed: "Thank you for your trust, Commandant."

Wei Qinghe laughed heartily and pulled Chen Mu toward the headquarters: "Come, come—first, eat. Then we investigate. I've ordered wine—we'll drink properly!"

Chen Mu did not refuse and followed him inside.

…

Chen Mu took up residence in the Zhenwu Si headquarters.

Wei Qinghe assigned him a private courtyard on the eastern side of the headquarters—quiet, elegant, separated from the archives by only a single wall.

In the courtyard stood a stone table and stone benches; a clump of green bamboo grew in the corner, rustling softly in the wind.

The next morning, Chen Mu began his investigation.

He first requested Guo Wuqiu's personnel files from his thirty-plus years in the Zhenwu Si.

From his entry as a low clerk, to promotion to Si Wei, to posting in Yangzhou, and finally rising to provincial governor and Head of the Ri Si Li.

His record was undeniably illustrious.

But Chen Mu was not reading the record—he was reading the man.

Who had worked with Guo Wuqiu? Who had he promoted? Who had close ties to him? Who had handled cases he oversaw…

One by one, item by item, Chen Mu committed every detail to memory.

Then, Chen Mu began reviewing case files from the past three years.

As Head of the Ri Si Li, Guo Wuqiu had access to vast classified intelligence—and opportunity to shelter the Mo Sect.

Chen Mu turned page by page, searching for traces.

Day one: no findings.

Day two: no findings.

On the evening of the third day, while reviewing a three-year-old case file, Chen Mu suddenly stopped.

It was a smuggling case file.

The incident occurred in Yangzhou, involving several minor merchants charged with smuggling contraband. By law, they deserved execution—but the case was quietly dropped.

Due to "insufficient evidence."

Chen Mu flipped to the final page of the file and studied the signature.

Reviewer: Zhenwu Si Headquarters · Zhou Xian.

Chen Mu noted the name and continued reading.

Half an hour later, he found two more similar cases.

Both occurred in Yangzhou, both were smuggling cases, both were dropped for "insufficient evidence."

And the reviewer on all three cases bore the same name—Zhou Xian.

Chen Mu closed the file, a glint of insight flashing in his eyes.

The next day.

Chen Mu began investigating Zhou Xian.

Zhou Xian, fifty-three, Fifth Stage of Earth Altar Realm, had served twenty-three years in the Zhenwu Si headquarters as Head of the Xing Si Li.

His rank was not high, but his power was considerable.

He was responsible for reviewing cases submitted from all regions, with authority to decide which required retrial and which could be closed.

On the surface, Zhou Xian had no direct contact with Guo Wuqiu.

They were not in the same department, had never co-handled a case, had never even appeared together at the same event.

But Chen Mu did not believe it.

He requested Zhou Xian's travel records from the past three years and discovered a curious pattern.

Every two or three months, Zhou Xian would leave Dao City under various pretexts, usually heading to areas around Yangzhou.

Shortly after each of his departures, a batch of smuggling cases in Yangzhou would be closed due to "insufficient evidence."

Chen Mu reviewed Zhou Xian's financial records again.

A Chief Star Officer who had served twenty-three years had a limited salary and should not have much personal wealth.

But the records showed that five years ago, Zhou Xian bought an estate in the eastern suburbs of Dao City; three years ago, he acquired a villa outside Yangzhou City; last year, he donated a minor official post for his son in Jiangnan Dao.

These expenses alone amounted to at least several hundred thousand taels of silver.

Where did Zhou Xian get so much money?

Chen Mu closed the records and rose to find Wei Qinghe.

After hearing his report, Wei Qinghe's expression darkened.

"Zhou Xian… I know him—he served in the General Office for over twenty years, always low-key. Never expected…"

He turned to Chen Mu: "Chen Inspection Envoy, what do you plan to do?"

Chen Mu said: "Your servant wishes to request the Commander's cooperation for a ruse."

Wei Qinghe raised an eyebrow: "What ruse?"

Chen Mu transmitted Qi to whisper a few words.

Wei Qinghe listened, a flicker of approval in his eyes, and nodded: "Fine. I'll follow your plan."

…

Three days later, news spread from the Zhenwu Office headquarters.

Guo Wuqiu had confessed in prison, naming a list of accomplices, to be publicly tried soon.

On the same afternoon the news broke, Zhou Xian grew restless.

He first went to the archives storage, hoping to retrieve Guo Wuqiu's Juan Sect records, but the guard blocked him, citing "Commander Wei's order: no one may access them."

He then asked several colleagues he usually favored for information, but they all claimed ignorance.

At night, Zhou Xian returned home, pacing nervously in his study.

He felt something was wrong.

Guo Wuqiu's arrest had come too suddenly, and the investigation had moved too fast.

Only a few days passed, and they were already preparing a public trial?

That old fox Guo Wuqiu—would he really confess so easily?

But what if…

He clenched his teeth, took a small box from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf, opened it, and found a stack of silver notes and several letters.

He slipped the silver notes into his robe, held the letters to the candle flame, and lit them.

Watching the letters slowly turn to ash, Zhou Xian exhaled in relief.

At that moment, a voice came from behind.

"My lord Zhou, what are you burning?"