A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 398 Divine Punishment
The grass turned green and then yellow, and in two or three months, the three-year training as an outer disciple would be over.

Duan Rong and his colleagues all have very good performance records.

The tasks assigned to them by the sect were basically completed relatively successfully, and there was not even a single unsolved case. Of course, the contribution of Duan Rong, the fire-fighting captain, was indispensable.

However, Ximen Kankan and the others gradually matured in the last two years, and Duan Rong took action less and less frequently.

With their merit points, it shouldn't be a problem for them to advance to inner disciples.

The only thing that is a bit worrying is Shen Mizhi. Shen Mizhi naturally completed the task very well, but her family background has been tarnished.

The Shen Yanliu case was also a major case, and almost all of the Shen family was executed. If she hadn't been in Changliu Mountain for three years, she would probably have been implicated as well.

Having a unclean family background is a big taboo in the sect.

Although she has an impressive record of completing tasks, her unclean background is likely to hinder her path to advancement.

Shen Mizhi herself was well aware of this, but regarding this, she could only do her best and leave the rest to fate.

After another two or three months of leisure, they would have to enter Changliu Mountain. Duan Rong frowned when he thought of the hardship and loneliness in Changliu Mountain.

Therefore, he planned to enjoy himself for two or three months and grab the last tail of worldly happiness.

That day, the clerk in the yamen suddenly came to see him in a hurry, saying that there was an important matter in the yamen and asked him to go there immediately.

During the time he was at home, the county magistrate Guo Baoxiang would often come over to drink tea, play chess, and chat about gossip. But looking at the clerk's face at this time, it was obvious that he really had something to ask him.

Duan Rong immediately went to the county government office, but it turned out that it was someone from the Ministry of Public Security who was waiting for him in the county government office.

Duan Rong showed the sect's cloud certificate, and the man handed him a secret letter.

Duan Rong opened the secret letter and found that it was signed with the seal of the sect's Internal Affairs Department, and next to it was the personal seal of the chief minister Zhu He.

His eyebrows were immediately twisted into a knot.

When he saw the people from the Ministry of Public Security coming to the yamen to look for him in person, he knew it must be something serious.

When he saw the signature on the secret letter again, he found that it was the seal of the sect's Internal Affairs Department and the private seal of the chief minister Zhu He. He felt even more uneasy.

Most likely, trouble is coming.

If it wasn't a troublesome matter, why would the head of the sect's Internal Affairs Department personally send him a secret letter?

Duan Rong quickly read the secret letter, which further confirmed his thoughts.

It really is a hot potato!

And it’s a big, hot potato!

It turned out that the Minister of the Chancellery Zhu Shizhong had died a violent death!
Taiyi Sect controls the entire Qingzhou!
Shenyun Mansion is the capital!
Wang Maochun, the Lord of Shenyun Mansion, was nominally the supreme ruler of the secular world. But in fact, he was just a puppet. He was just a cover that was put in place after the game between various forces.

Under the Lord of Shenyun Mansion, the most powerful position is the Shangshu Ling, who is in charge of the government documents of the entire Qingzhou.

Under the Shangshu Ling are the Four Ministers.

The four ministers are Guanglu Dafu who is in charge of the entire Qingzhou finances, Jianyi Dafu who is in charge of supervision, Dali Siqing who is in charge of criminal law, and Daduhu who is in charge of the cavalry.

The palace lord and one commander and four ministers are the power center of the entire Qingzhou.

Moreover, the Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong also has the surname Zhu, and Zhu He, the chief of the sect's Internal History Department, has personally inquired about the matter, which shows that this person must be his bloodline in the secular world.

Zhu He is indeed very powerful. The Palace Master is just a puppet, and the Shangshu Ling is the highest civil servant, but he actually has it under his control. No wonder he is one of the strong candidates to compete for the next leader of Taiyi Sect.

It is indeed very powerful!

However, perhaps it was because he uncovered the first case of foul blood as soon as he left Changliu Mountain, and in the past two years or so, he solved many difficult cases. In the four prefectures in the southeast of Qingzhou, he even earned a reputation as a detective.

He was unexpectedly drafted by the sect's Internal History Department and asked to go to Shenyun Mansion to investigate the murder case of Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong.

The death of Shang Shu Ling might not only be related to the political situation in Shen Yun Mansion, but it might even involve the power struggles within the sect. He is just an outer sect disciple, and if he steps in, he might be completely destroyed.

But this was an order from the Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, how could he dare to disobey?
Alas, it’s only been two or three months, can’t you just let me get through it in peace?

Duan Rong took the secret letter and left the county government office with a sad face.

Back at the backyard of the escort agency, Xiao Yu immediately noticed that he was in a bad mood.

As soon as Duan Rong sat down, she brought him tea and asked him with concern what happened.

Duan Rong glanced at Xiao Yu and showed her the secret letter directly without hiding anything from her.

After reading the secret letter, Xiao Yu was also shocked.

But she quickly calmed down, looked at Duan Rong with shining eyes, and said, "Can this be postponed?"

"How do we push back on the transfer order from the Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department?"

Xiao Yu sighed and said, "Then Kankan and I will go with you. We are unfamiliar with the Shenyun Mansion, so more people will help us take care of you."

"Forget it." Duan Rong took a sip of tea and said, "I think it would be more convenient for me to go by myself. I can move more freely. You are by my side, and if anything happens, I will have to take care of you."

Xiao Yu's heart moved. What Duan Rong said was true, but how could she feel at ease if she let Duan Rong go alone?

Xiao Yu said: "Then let Shen Mizhi go with you."

Shen Mizhi once said that she would never turn back even if she had to face a mountain of swords and a sea of fire. Now was the time for her to be effective.

Duan Rong shook his head and said, "I'd better go alone. Shen Mizhi is only at the first level of the True Qi Realm. How much can she be of any use in a place as treacherous as Shenyun Mansion?"

Xiao Yu glared at Duan Rong and said, "How can I be at ease when you run to such a far place by yourself and are involved in such a big case?"

As Xiao Yu spoke, her eyes turned red.

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Are you relieved that Shen Mizhi is following you? Aren't you afraid that something might happen to us, being alone in a foreign land?"

Xiao Yu spat when he heard this and said, "I'm talking to you seriously, what are you talking nonsense about?"

Duan Rong looked serious and said, "I am serious. Because I am unfamiliar with the Shenyun Mansion and the case is very complicated, it is safer for me to go alone. If I go alone, nothing can threaten me, and nothing can hold me back. If any of you go, the help you can provide to me is actually very limited, and it will also become my weakness."

Xiao Yu stared at Duan Rong in a daze. She was finally persuaded by Duan Rong.

Duan Rong rested at home for a night. Xiao Yu prepared his luggage for him. At dawn the next day, he rode out of the city. Xiao Yu also rode with him and sent him out of the city.

At the fork in the official road outside the city, the two men said goodbye by breaking willow branches.

Xiao Yu said: "My husband, if there is any danger on this trip, remember to take care of yourself. I will be at home, looking forward to your return every day."

Duan Rong suddenly leaned forward, put his arms around Xiao Yu's neck and kissed her.

The ancients were reserved, and it was impossible for a couple to kiss in the street.

Xiao Yu's face flushed immediately and she said angrily, "You're leaving now, and you're still doing such a reckless thing!"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Don't worry. Although the situation in Shenyun Mansion is turbulent, I will definitely come back alive to see you. If the case is really dangerous, I will just let it go and not investigate it. Who can do anything to me?"

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he touched Xiao Yu's face and suddenly rode away.

Xiao Yu's heart was pounding when he kissed and touched her. When she saw Duan Rong riding away, she felt very reluctant to let him go. Only when she could no longer see any black spots on the official road did Xiao Yu ride back in a depressed mood.

Duan Rong rushed along the official road day and night. Ten days later, in the early morning, he saw the majestic and heavy city gate of Shenyun Mansion in the bright morning light.

He rode into the city, found a restaurant to shake off the dust, had a hearty meal, and then went directly to the post station to stay.

After he handed the horse to the postman, he slept in the room until noon.

After having lunch in the post station, he strolled to the streets of Shenyun Mansion.

The capital city is naturally prosperous and bustling, and the clothes worn by people walking on the street are also pleasing to the eye.

Duan Rong ate some unique snacks and then walked to a teahouse.

No matter where it is, teahouses are a sea of news, with many people talking and loving to chat.

The secret letter told him to report to the Dali Temple when he arrived at Shenyun Mansion. But he decided to go to the Dali Temple early tomorrow morning. First, he was tired from the journey and wanted to rest. Second, he wanted to get some information before going to the Dali Temple again, so as not to be confused and become deaf and blind, and then be led by the nose.

In the lobby on the first floor of the teahouse, there was an old man with a thin horse face, who was telling a story. He was very excited and gesticulating, just like the characters in the book. Some tea drinkers were so fascinated by the story that they stared at the stage without blinking for a long time.

Duan Rong smiled dumbly and went up the stairs to the second floor.

As he walked up the stairs, he also listened to a few things. The old man was right. Those who could make a living in Shenyun Mansion were indeed very capable.

The seats by the windows on the second floor are already full of people.

Duan Rong had no choice but to pick an empty seat in the corner and sit down.

The waiter came over immediately and greeted him. Duan Rong then realized that this teahouse not only had dried fruits, but also side dishes.

Duan Rong ordered a few side dishes and a pot of tea.

Not long after, the waiter brought all the dishes to Duan Rong. Duan Rong tasted them and found them quite refreshing. Then he poured himself a bowl of tea and sipped it slowly.

The moment Duan Rong picked up the tea, his spiritual awareness suddenly released outward, covering the entire teahouse.

Duan Rong seemed to be sipping tea leisurely, but in his ears, it was like the chirping of thousands of birds, so noisy that it was driving him crazy.

Duan Rong calmed his mind and distinguished and filtered out those voices one by one.

After blocking out most of the noise, he selected nearly twenty tables of guests and listened carefully.

As he expected, there were indeed quite a few people in the teahouse chatting about the case of Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong.

Although it took Duan Rong more than ten days to arrive, the most heated discussion had passed, but even ten days later, there were still many people talking about this matter.

The dead person was Shang Shu Ling after all!
He is in charge of the entire Qingzhou's government documents and is one of the most powerful people in this secular world.

After listening for several hours, Duan Rong had a general understanding of the case of Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong, although he had not yet gone to the Dali Temple.

However, what surprised him was that the untimely death of Shangshu Ling Zhu did not seem to be caused by murder! Instead, it was caused by a natural disaster!

To be more precise, he was killed by lightning.

To use the words of those tea drinkers, it was a punishment from God!
It seems that the Shangshu Ling’s reputation among the people is not very good!

He was already over 60 years old, and more than a month ago, he married his sixth concubine. And that concubine was none other than the famous prostitute of Yanyue Tower, Li Muping.

The dream lover of the man in Shenyun Mansion was actually taken by him alone. I don't know how many curses he suffered behind the scenes.

What’s even more regrettable is that the thunder not only killed Zhu Shizhong, but also Li Muping.

Both of them turned into charcoal, and even their human forms could not be recognized.

As the saying goes, people should not enjoy all the blessings they have. When the blessings are exhausted, evil will arise!

Duan Rong was not sure whether the Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong was punished by heaven, but he was obviously envied by others.

An old man insisted on marrying a young beauty. He deserves to be cursed!
However, Duan Rong had no interest in Zhu Shizhong's character or official rank. He just thought that if Zhu Shizhong was really killed by lightning, why would Zhu He bring him all the way here?

There may be some common people out there who don’t know about this.

Tomorrow morning, he will go to the Dali Temple, and the mystery will be solved.

He really didn't feel any pressure when investigating the case. Even if he couldn't solve the case, he estimated that his advancement to an inner disciple was a sure thing.

The only thing that worried him was that this case involved too many people. In the process of investigating the case, would one small mistake lead to another and he would accidentally step into a vortex?
But if he doesn't put in any effort and just gives up, I'm afraid Zhu He won't be able to deliver the job well.

What was bothering Duan Rong at the moment was actually the question of how to strike the right balance.

How can I complete the task with Zhu He without causing trouble for other parties?

He believes that there is a lot behind the Zhu Shizhong case.

But what does that have to do with him?

How could he think of a way to get past this matter? In this undercurrent and the struggle among various parties in the Shenyun Mansion, what he wanted was to be able to withdraw unscathed without getting involved.

When Duan Rong walked out of the teahouse, it was already dark and the street lights were bright.

He found a shop, got some wine, had a good meal, and then returned to the inn.

Duan Rong returned to the room in the inn, closed the door, and sat cross-legged on the bed.

He just arrived at the Shenyun Mansion this morning. After taking a nap, he went out to get information. Now he finally has some free time.

Duan Rong came to the Shenyun Mansion with an important thing to verify.

He originally thought that the closer to Changliu Mountain, the richer the vitality of heaven and earth would be.

The Shenyun Mansion is less than a hundred miles away from Changliu Mountain, which is considered very close. Duan Rong really wants to see the concentration of the heaven and earth energy in the Shenyun Mansion.

Over the past two years, I have been in the four southeastern prefectures, where the vital energy of heaven and earth is very thin.

Duan Rong sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to practice the breathing and Qi circulation method of the Yuan Qi realm.

His mind sank, and he instantly began to feel the energy of heaven and earth around him.

"what?!"

Duan Rong was quite surprised after feeling the vital energy of heaven and earth around him.

The concentration of heaven and earth vital energy in the Shenyun Mansion is naturally slightly richer than that in the four southeastern mansions.

But the difference is so small!
Far beyond Duan Rong's expectations.

In other words, the concentration of the heaven and earth energy in this Shenyun Mansion is also very thin. Even here, such a thin heaven and earth energy is still unable to break through to the energy realm.

This Shenyun Mansion is so close to Changliu Mountain, but the vital energy of heaven and earth is still so thin. It seems that the sect inside Changliu Mountain must have used some means to seal the vital energy of heaven and earth inside the mountain to prevent it from dissipating.

Otherwise, there is no way to explain why the vital energy of heaven and earth is so thin at such a close distance?
Duan Rong suddenly thought: No wonder Wei Ziyang, the chief magician of the Filthy Blood Sect, who is in such a high position, is only at the True Qi Realm. It's not that his cultivation is not good, but it is impossible for him to break through to the Yuan Qi Realm outside Changliu Mountain!

(End of this chapter)