Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 31: Young Master, You Have to Keep Your Promise!

It might not necessarily be the Fifth King, Fang Chen said.

He had taken the trouble to visit the Non-aggression Poetry Festival to see if the crown prince had cultivators amongst his entourage, but there wasnt any. Of course, this wasnt enough for him to conclude anything.

For now, he had confirmed that the daoist had indeed stayed in Great Xia for a period of time.

Having seen the Blood Spirit Art manual, he knew that a cultivator who started practicing the cultivation method wouldnt be able to stop feeding on human blood essence. The daoist had stayed in the capital for quite some time; many civilians must have died in his hand.

He must have left traces behind. I should look into that, Fang Chen muttered. He glanced at Xu Ge and instructed, Bring her back to the manor. Have Old Huang keep an eye on her.

Xu Ge walked up to Celestial Xiao and flashed her a smile. Lets go.

Where are you going? Celestial Xiao asked with a frown.

What does it have to do with you? Fang Chen replied with a smile.

Im coming with you, Celestial Xiao insisted.

We have made an agreement, but that doesnt mean you can follow me wherever I go. If you cant understand this basic principle, Ill escort you out of the capital right away, Fang Chen said before walking away.

Celestial Xiao clenched her fists as she fell silent.

Youre acting as if my young master has really married into your Xiao Clan. Dont forget that youre our hostage right now, Xu Ge said with a smirk.

Hmph! Celestial Xiao harrumphed before obediently following Xu Ge back to the manor.

Meanwhile, Fang Chen made his way to the Shadow Courtyard. He patiently waited for a couple of minutes before a figure silently appeared behind him.

The figure clasped his fist and asked, Young master, is there anything I can do for you?

Director Zhao, has there been anything amiss regarding the Court of Great Brilliances cases over the last few years? Fang Chen turned around and asked with a faint smile.

The person who came was none other than Director Zhao, the superior of all rectifiers in the Court of Great Brilliance. He was the one who sent Yuan Zhuang to apprehend Fang Chen back then.

Director Zhaos eyebrows shot up. Why would the young master suddenly ask about the Court of Great Brilliances cases? He thought hard about it before answering with a suppressed voice, Young master, there are a few cases that have left me baffled over the last few years.

Tell me more. Fang Chen nodded.

Two years ago, someone came to our Court of Great Brilliance to report that his younger sister has gone missing in her employers manor for many years now. We looked into it and found his younger sister working as a maid in the Vice Minister of Rites manor. One of my subordinates, Yuan Zhuang, went over to investigate the matter, and he was informed that the younger sister might have eloped with someone.

The case was left like that, but not long later, Yuan Zhuang discovered that the person who reported the case had gone missing too. His severely ill mother nearly starved to death in her house. I suspect the person who reported the case was silenced, so I had my men to continue their investigation.

At this point, Director Zhao looked at Fang Chen before continuing, Many people have disappeared from the Vice Minister of Rites manor in recent years. This case is one of many. Thus, I entrusted this case to the court master, since he was the only one with the authority to order for the apprehension of the Minister of Rites.

What happened next? Fang Chen asked.

Director Zhao stroked his beard. The supervisor suppressed the matter. He claimed that those people disappeared because they stole expensive items from the Vice Minister of Rites manor and escaped. That explanation sounded plausible to me as my manor had such servants too.

So, what about it bothers you? Fang Chen asked.

First, the person who reported the matter to us was a famous filial son in the area. No matter the reason, he couldnt have abandoned his severely ill mother and disappeared into thin air.

Second, one of Yuan Zhuangs constables had his arm chopped off while investigating this matter. It was a threat directed at us to not continue investigating the matter.

Director Zhao paused before saying, For my subordinates safety, I suppressed the matter then. Even so, I would keep an eye out for the happenings on the Vice Minister of Rites side.

Did any more of their subordinates disappear after that? Fang Chen asked.

Not anymore. Director Zhao shook his head, but his eyes swiftly turned sharp. Young master, do you think that theres something amiss about this too?

Get your subordinates to look into all disappearances in the capital over the last six no, last twenty years. Some cases arent filed at the Court of Great Brilliance as they dont involve officials; those would be at the local magistrate office. You should know what to do, Fang Chen said.

Director Zhaos expression turned solemn. He nodded before backing away.

This matter must be of importance if it has caught the young masters attention. There might be a greater force at play, or it might even be related to Greenpine!

Young master, have you concluded your conversation with Director Zhao? Is it my turn now? Jade Fairy quietly appeared shortly after Director Zhao left.

She had followed Fang Chens group all the way here. Through her proficient movement skills and disguise techniques, she was able to avoid the notice of others along the way.

I have no instructions for you, Fang Chen said.

Young master, whats the background of the maid you brought with you today? Jade Fairy asked out of curiosity.

Celestial Xiao, Fang Chen replied.

Astonishment flickered across Jade Fairys eyes. Celestial Xiao? Why would she

She volunteered to be a hostage. This way, Wolf Marshall Xiao would bail the Third Prince out when Greenpine finds out that I have massacred their martial artists in the capital, Fang Chen replied with a smile.

She must not know about the Third Princes scheme. It wont be easy for Greenpine to kill him. Jade Fairy couldnt help but chuckle.

That fellow has a sharp mind. He probably hasnt been idling around during the five years he spent at Greenpine. If he wished so, he would have already returned to Great Xias capital. Fang Chen nodded in agreement. It wont be long before he returns once he learns about the happenings in the capital.

The crown prince had been worried Fang Chen would rescue the Third Prince, but that was only because he didnt know what the Third Prince was capable of.

The Third Prince had volunteered to become a hostage at Greenpine, but Fang Chen was confident that he had already acquired the means to return to Great Xia whenever he wanted. The two of them shared similar goals. For Great Xias countless civilians, they wouldnt easily throw their lives away.

Young master, you kept Celestial Xiao by your side despite knowing that. Are you attracted to her looks? Celestial Xiao doesnt have a clean private life, Jade Fairy said with a gloomy tone.

Someone hopes for her death, but Wolf Marshall Xiao did spare me at Three Realms Mountain five years ago, Fang Chen said with a sigh. No matter what, Ill protect Celestial Xiao until she returns to Greenpine.

Then Cant I be your maid too? Someone called me a secular woman today. I feel indignant, Jade Fairy muttered with a lowered head.

Lets talk about it after you reach Ki Control. Fang Chen flung his sleeves and took his leave.

Ki Control? Jade Fairys eyes lit up. Young master, you have to keep your promise!