That night, Gongsun Yi and his wife moved out of the Mo Mansion.
The next morning, the stench of blood filled the air around the Mo Mansion.
A passing merchant, seeing the Mo Mansion's main gate wide open, went inside to check. He found bodies strewn everywhere and hurriedly reported it to the authorities.
Constables from the County Government Office arrived on the scene first. Judging it to be the work of Martial Artists, they immediately transferred the case to the Jing'an Guard.
The Government Office usually doesn't meddle in the common grudges of the Jianghu or the brawls and killings between Martial Artists. But if someone dared to kill within the city walls, and especially if they killed commoners, the government would certainly intervene, with the local Jing'an Guard taking direct responsibility for apprehending the culprit.
All land under heaven belongs to the Emperor, and all people living on it are His subjects. If Martial Artists were allowed to slaughter the common folk, where would the Court's authority be? Where would the Emperor's authority be? Wouldn't that just encourage Martial Artists to act with impunity and shake the very foundations of the throne?
"How outrageous! Ever since I took office, aside from the assassination of the County Magistrate by the Profound Yellow Sect rebels two years ago, nothing this horrific has ever happened in Tongzhou!"
Zheng Xuancheng was having breakfast with his family when he heard the news. He flew into a rage on the spot, leaping to his feet and slamming his bowl upside down on the table.
His family was scared into silence.
"What is there to eat? All of you, get out!" With a dark expression, Zheng Xuancheng waved a hand, dismissing his wives, concubines, and children.
It was already the seventh month. The end of the year was only a few months away. A vicious crime like this happening in his jurisdiction would inevitably affect his year-end evaluation if the culprit wasn't caught.
Two years ago, he had lost a promotion opportunity because the case of the Profound Sect assassinating the County Magistrate remained unsolved. Now, another goddamn bloodbath had happened this year. How could he not be furious?
Moreover, for someone to dare kill so brazenly in his jurisdiction showed they had no respect for him.
'Skillful and daring, they'll definitely be hard to catch.'
After everyone had left, Chen Zhongyi, who had come to report, cupped his hands and said in a low voice, "Sir, there's actually no need to be so angry. This is different from the Profound Sect's official-killing case from two years ago. No matter the outcome, whether the real culprit is caught or not, the blame won't fall on you."
"Oh?" Zheng Xuancheng was taken aback, then he suddenly understood. "You mean, have Pei Shaoqing take charge of this case?"
"Your Excellency is wise!" Chen Zhongyi said with a fawning compliment and a light chuckle. "No matter what, he's still the son of Marquis Weiyuan. Even though he was exiled for making a mistake, he hasn't been struck from the family registry. Apart from small fries like us who have no choice, no one would want to offend him.
"So, if we let him handle this case, even if the investigation goes poorly, the higher-ups won't hold our Hundred Households strictly accountable. At worst, it'll be a slap on the wrist. They won't get too serious and affect your evaluation, Sir."
He paused for a moment, then added with a hint of resentment, "Besides, isn't he the acting Standard-Bearer? This is his time to shine. If the case isn't solved, it's his responsibility. If the case is solved, then it's all thanks to your discerning eye for talent and excellent leadership, Sir!"
'Damn it, it took me a full ten years to climb to the position of Standard-Bearer! How many asses did I have to kiss, how many boots did I have to lick, how many times did I risk my life, how much money did I have to spend? How could he not feel resentful?'
'In that case, the boy is a pretty good shield. If Her Ladyship hadn't forced my hand, and if I weren't already past the point of no return, I'd really be reluctant to kill him.' Zheng Xuancheng stroked the small mustache on his chin, his eyes narrowing as he mused for a moment. "Order Pei Shaoqing to see me."
"Yes, sir!" Chen Zhongyi responded with a cupped fist salute. He had taken only two steps when he remembered something else and stopped. "By the way, Sir, Pei Shaoqing arrested two people last night."
"I already know about that." Zheng Xuancheng waved his hand dismissively.
He not only knew why Pei Shaoqing had arrested those two, but he also knew that Sun Youliang had gone to see Pei Shaoqing late at night about it. However, aside from instructing Chen Youfu to monitor him strictly and report back at all times, he hadn't given it much thought.
.........…
Pei Shaoqing, the mastermind behind the Mo Family massacre, was sitting in his study admiring his spoils. He held a Jade Pendant engraved with all sorts of beast patterns, examining it closely.
General Li was sprawled on one end of the desk, licking his privates.
Below him, Sun Youliang, Gongsun Yi, and Liu Yuheng all stood silently with heads bowed, not daring to make a sound.
"So this is the Immortal Relic?" Pei Shaoqing tore his gaze away from the Jade Pendant and looked at the three people below.
Gongsun Yi quickly looked toward Sun Youliang.
Sun Youliang immediately replied, "My Lord, this is the item I learned about after personally interrogating the Mo Family."
Pei Shaoqing didn't answer and just waved his hand.
The three of them bowed before exiting the room.
"My Lord, could they have deceived you?" General Li, finished with his grooming, lifted his head and spoke with suspicion.
"They shouldn't dare." Young Master Pei shook his head. Thinking of all the novels he had read in his past life, he immediately placed the Jade Pendant flat on the desk, bit his finger, and dripped a drop of blood onto it.
The man and the cat stared intently at it.
However, nothing miraculous happened.
Pei Shaoqing frowned. 'Damn it, these fucking Cultivators don't even include an instruction manual.'
"My Lord, let me try," General Li said. He bit his own paw, and then stamped it onto the Jade Pendant.
The Jade Pendant instantly bloomed with a faint light.
General Li was overjoyed. "My Lord, look!"
Pei Shaoqing had already seen it without the cat needing to point it out.
It had clearly triggered some kind of mystical reaction.
Soon, all of General Li's blood was absorbed by the Jade Pendant, and the glow gradually faded.
Pei Shaoqing immediately turned his head to look at General Li.
"My Lord, this is a Storage Magical Treasure from one of my Demon Race predecessors! Only I can use it. Please, My Lord, I beg you to bestow it upon me!" General Li said, his face alight with excitement.
'As expected, My Lord is my lucky star!'
Pei Shaoqing's face darkened. 'I worked my ass off to get this Immortal Relic, and it was all for your benefit?'
General Li hurriedly added, "My Lord, there are things inside the Jade Pendant. I can take them out."
"Then hurry it up. The contents are mine, the Jade Pendant is yours." Pei Shaoqing's frown relaxed.
The next second, a long robe—primarily black with red trim—and a nameless book appeared on the desk.
Pei Shaoqing stared at General Li: "That's it?"
"That's it." The brindle cat shook his round head.
Pei Shaoqing narrowed his eyes. "Really? That's it?"
"Really, that's it! My Lord is my master, how could I dare commit the crime of deceiving my lord?" General Li grew anxious, standing on his hind legs and beating his chest. "How can you doubt my complete and utter loyalty? It chills this cat's heart to the bone!"
"Alright, alright, scram." Pei Shaoqing waved his hand in disappointment. 'Just this little bit of stuff. Looks like this "Immortal" wasn't doing so well before he died.'
"Thank you for your reward, My Lord! This servant takes his leave!" General Li said with a grin. He snatched up the Jade Pendant in his mouth, leaped off the desk, and scurried out.
Pei Shaoqing ignored him. He drew his blade and tentatively poked at the robe. The blade didn't pierce it; it didn't even leave a mark. He was instantly overjoyed, realizing it was a fine item. '+100 to defense after putting this on, at least.'
'I won't have to worry about getting easily hacked to death anymore.'
Then he looked at the book, which had neither a cover nor a title. Or, to be more precise, could it be called a notebook?
'Hmm, I do like reading notebooks.'
He immediately picked it up and opened it to the first page.
"Jiuzhou Calendar, Year 528, 5th Month, 6th Day. The 3rd year after I mistakenly consumed a Spirit Pill and achieved Transformation. Relying on the advantages of my human form, I successfully entered the Celestial Demon Palace and was accepted as a disciple by Outer Sect Elder Tianhuo, thus embarking on the path of cultivation. From this day forward, I've decided to record the events of each day."
'So it's a diary.'
'What kind of proper person keeps a diary these days?'
'Oh, it wasn't written by a person. Never mind, then.'
Pei Shaoqing briefly thumbed through the book. The diary's owner must have been short-lived; there were only a few hundred entries in total.
Still, it would allow him to get a peek into the Cultivation Realm of several thousand years ago and satisfy his curiosity.
Just then, Sun Youliang's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Sir, the Hundred Households Commander has sent someone to summon you."
"Mm," Pei Shaoqing grunted in acknowledgment. He immediately took off his own magnificent brocade robe, put on the black robe he suspected was a defensive Magical Treasure, and walked out the door with the diary.
Gongsun Yi quickly began, "Sir…"
"Your apprentice will be out soon. You and your wife wait for me at the mansion," Pei Shaoqing interrupted.
Gongsun Yi and his wife breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sir!"
Sun Youliang, meanwhile, hurried to catch up with his superior.
Pei Shaoqing first found General Li and had him put the diary in the Jade Pendant, then he headed for the Zheng Mansion, accompanied by Ye Hanshuang, who was clad in white, cradled a longsword, and cut a heroic and valiant figure.