Chapter 71: The Fake

Ji Wenqing reached into his robes, pulled out a letter, and handed it over, saying.

"Someone entrusted an Yinchai to deliver a letter to you, and he specifically urged that you must read it personally, saying he wanted to give you a surprise."

Su Yuanshan took the letter, his face full of confusion, thinking to himself, who would write a letter to me?

And wants to give me a surprise?

He gave a light "Oh," tore open the envelope, and pulled out the letter. Just as he was about to open it, his expression suddenly changed. He tossed the letter onto the ground, and with a "Boom—," the letter spontaneously combusted without fire. Amidst a burst of arrogant laughter, the flames transformed into the image of Huo Jun.

Wen Panguan Ji Wenqing and Wu Panguan Zhai Burang both changed color, and Xia Buqian and the other Yinchai were even more shocked.

"There is demonic Qi!"

"Quickly protect the Chenghuangfu!"

Following a long laugh.

"Chenghuangfu, the green hills remain, the green waters flow; we shall meet again. Another day, this Huo will come to pay a visit, haha!"

The arrogant laughter was filled with irony, grating on the "nerves" of the Yinchai, ghost officials, and the civil and military Judges!

Zhai Burang's eyes widened in anger.

"Arrogant, detestable!"

Wen Panguan Ji Wenqing's face turned ashen, sweat appearing on his forehead, and he hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"This subordinate failed to notice, please punish me, Lord!"

The other Yinchai and ghost officials dared not even breathe loudly, and even the little white fox held its breath, not daring to make a single movement. However, Su Yuanshan appeared very calm and said indifferently.

"Get up. This matter is not entirely your fault; it is somewhat unexpected that this Huo Jun did not die.

It seems that the one I killed before was a fake!

But this is also fine. He could not restrain his arrogant provocation, which happened to expose himself, giving me space to prepare defenses!"

"A fake? I never expected that the Great Demon the Lord killed was actually a fake. But if even a fake is this formidable, wouldn't the real body be even more extraordinary?" Xia Buqian's words were filled with worry.

However, the little white fox said with full confidence.

"Since the Lord had the strength to kill that fake, he naturally has the ability to eliminate the real Huo Jun! That guy is clearly afraid of our Lord; he feels he doesn't have absolute certainty, otherwise, he wouldn't just rely on sending a letter to provoke and show his presence, but would have come down himself!"

"Thank you, Lord!" Seeing that Su Yuanshan did not blame him, Ji Wenqing could not help but heave a sigh of relief and stood obediently to the side.

The Wu Panguan beside him, Zhai Burang, said indignantly.

"This Huo Jun is truly too arrogant; I am still full of rage.

Lord, I believe we should dispatch Yinchai and ghost officials to quickly find the whereabouts of this Huo Jun and root him out as soon as possible, so as to avoid future trouble."

Su Yuanshan nodded slightly and said in a deep voice.

"Transmit my decree: the Inspection Department is to immediately dispatch Yinchai and ghost officials to search everywhere for the whereabouts of this Great Demon. Once his tracks are discovered, do not engage in battle; report to me immediately!"

Immediately, many ghost officials responded.

"We obey the Lord's decree!"

In the blink of an eye, they turned into whirlwinds and left, clearly having gone to transmit the decree.

Su Yuanshan flicked his sleeves and said.

"If there is nothing else, you may all disperse!"

The spirits bowed to Su Yuanshan and were just about to leave when Su Yuanshan seemed to suddenly remember something and called out.

"Wen Qing, where is the Yinchai who delivered the letter? Bring him to see me!"

Ji Wenqing bowed and said.

"This subordinate will send someone to... oh no, I will go find him myself!"

Su Yuanshan nodded slightly.

"I will wait for you in the study! Go."

Unexpectedly, just as Su Yuanshan arrived at the study and had not yet sat down, he saw Ji Wenqing come over, saying with a look of shame.

"Lord, that Yinchai has disappeared. In his room, I only found a waist token and a note. Please take a look!"

Unexpectedly, Su Yuanshan was not in a hurry. He sat in the armchair, brewed a pot of tea first, and then said indifferently.

"What is the content written on that note? Read it to me!"

Seemingly not expecting that Su Yuanshan would not take the note, Ji Wenqing froze for a moment before reading.

"Since our parting at Jinxu, has the Lord been well... or not?"

As he read, he carefully observed Su Yuanshan's expression. He did not expect Su Yuanshan to stare at him and suddenly smile, a smile that made him feel a chill in his heart, until Su Yuanshan waved his hand and said indifferently.

"Understood, you may go now!"

Ji Wenqing seemed to heave a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted. The moment he turned around, a smug smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, but before he could take a step.

Su Yuanshan flicked his long sleeves. Ji Wenqing was struck as if by a heavy blow; his body instantly stiffened, and he fell to the ground with a "thud." He was shocked and hurriedly shouted.

"Lord, what is the meaning of this? Didn't you say you wouldn't punish Wen Qing?"

However, Su Yuanshan let out a cold snort.

"What kind of demon are you? You have quite the nerve. First, you impersonated a Huangliangyinchai, and now you are impersonating Ji Wenqing. Speak, what is your origin, and who instructed you?"

"Lord, I am Ji Wenqing! Look closely!" He seemed anxious, struggling and pleading, but as soon as he finished speaking, he saw Ji Wenqing walk in from outside. Seeing someone lying on the ground who looked exactly like him, he was greatly shocked.

"Lord, this is...."

However, Su Yuanshan smiled.

"Wen Qing, you have come just in time! Can you guess what kind of demon this is?"

Ji Wenqing shook his head and said.

"This, this subordinate does not know... but...."

He looked at the fake version of himself, his face darkening, and said coldly.

"This subordinate only needs to flip through the Yin-Yang registers of Huangliang and Tushan counties to find out his origin, and I can also erase his good, evil, and lifespan with a single stroke!"

As he spoke, he summoned the Yinyang Shubo, shocking the fake Ji Wenqing until his face turned ashen and cold sweat streamed down; in a panic, he revealed his true form and begged bitterly.

"Spare me, Mansion Lord! Spare me, Wen Panguan!"

Su Yuanshan fixed his gaze on him and suddenly realized the truth.

"So it is a Mirage Demon! Confess honestly!

Who sent you, and why are you hiding in my Huangliang County City God Mansion? What is your purpose?"

Seeing the Mirage Demon's eyes darting around as he stammered, the Ji Wenqing beside him cupped his hands and coldly requested instructions from Su Yuanshan.

"Mansion Lord, this scoundrel is too detestable; leave him to your subordinate for interrogation. Your subordinate will certainly make him confess clearly and thoroughly!"

Sensing the stern expression of the Wen Panguan, the Mirage Demon was terrified and hurriedly spoke.

"No, no, no, I'll confess, I'll confess!"

He saw him sigh and say helplessly.

"This lowly one was sent by Baie Hou and serves under Huo Jun; this time, I was dispatched by Huo Jun to scout for intelligence!"

"Huo Jun and Baie Hou?"

Su Yuanshan raised an eyebrow and said.

"Where is that Huo Jun hiding now? And... what was your business when you went to the Gumu Jinxu some time ago?"

"This... this..." The Mirage Demon stammered, seemingly unwilling to answer.

Su Yuanshan said indifferently.

"With this attitude of yours, I see no need for reincarnation even if I erase you directly; Wen Qing, I will leave him to you..."

Hearing Su Yuanshan say this, the Mirage Demon's expression changed drastically; he finally yielded and answered honestly.

"No, no, I'll talk! The true form of this Huo Jun is currently in the Gumu Jinxu. As for my previous trip to the Gumu Jinxu, it was because I received a special order to search for a treasure; it is said that the item concerns Baie Hou's plan!"

Su Yuanshan raised an eyebrow, feeling he had dug up a key point, and asked.

"Oh, what treasure? And whose orders were you acting under?"