Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

July 10, 1092, the reign of Emperor Gengshi.

Zhou Qingfeng arrived at the scene of the murder of an official and plot to rebel, dressed in civilian clothes.

After all, the power grab must be completed, and the case must be investigated.

We must grasp both aspects firmly and simultaneously to remain invincible.

The murder of an official and plot to rebel occurred in the residential area of ​​Pomo Lane. This lane was not a main street in the city, but just a small alley in Jianta City. The lane was cordoned off and sealed off from one end to the other.

The seal read: "Murder scene, no unauthorized entry."

Once the seals of the five Mei Hua Divisions are affixed, no one may enter the site without permission; otherwise, they may be considered to be interfering with judicial fairness and subject to corresponding legal penalties.

The streets were bustling and noisy, but Splash Ink Alley was deserted and extremely desolate.

Zhou Qingfeng walked to the alley entrance, looked around, bent down and stepped over the cordon, entered the crime scene, and conducted a relatively in-depth understanding based on the case file and the situation of the battle at the scene.

Case files are only of reference value. Spending all day flipping through case files and engaging in theoretical discussions is useless. To grasp the details of a case, you must go to the front line to know the real situation.

Zhou Qingfeng squatted down, reached out and touched the dried bloodstains, frowned and said, "Instantly killing a cultivator at the Devouring Fiend Realm, and the fact that the buildings at the scene were not extensively damaged, proves that the perpetrator has the strength to instantly kill a cultivator of the same level."

"The case file made no mention of this seemingly insignificant yet extremely crucial information."

Zhou Qingfeng had specifically reviewed the personal information of the deceased Yang Jianxin. He was ranked outside the top 100 in both the magic and physical techniques he studied, and he was proficient in the art of divination. His overall combat strength was at a mid-to-lower level among those of the same rank.

It's possible that a rogue cultivator from the common folk wanted to kill Yang Jianxin.

However, achieving a "flash sale" is difficult.

After all, cultivators in the Devouring Fiend Realm can already be called preparatory Rule Gods. Taking another step forward, they can utilize the power of rules. Such high-level combat power among low-level cultivators, even if weak, cannot be killed by ordinary means.

With the Four Evil Stars of Ziwei in the Life Palace, I will not die unless my soul dies.

This is the most prominent characteristic and feature of cultivators in the Devouring Fiend Realm.

Such a powerful Devouring Fiend cultivator is extremely difficult to kill.

Only top-tier experts in the Devouring Fiend Realm, who can accurately locate the Fate Palace and launch a surprise attack to shatter it when the opponent is unprepared, can achieve a kill without taking any damage.

That said, if the perpetrator truly possessed such strength, he would at least be among the top tier of his peers. Would someone with such formidable power be an unknown individual? And how could he not even be able to settle down and establish a home in Sword Tower City?

Okay, let's put those questionable points aside for now.

They focused solely on the population census.

There are two sources of unregistered individuals.

One method involved a free civilian from out of town entering the Sword Tower with a travel permit, only to tear up the permit.

The travel document records where the free people live, where they come from, and where they pass through. Upon entering Sword Tower City, they pay an entrance fee and can then stay in Sword Tower City for a period of time as stipulated by law.

However, free citizens from other areas are not allowed to engage in any work; otherwise, they will be considered illegal workers and, if discovered, will be deported, sent back to their country of origin, blacklisted, and restricted from re-entering the territory of Sword Tower.

Consequently, employers will also be heavily fined millions of dollars for illegally employing undocumented workers, with no upper limit.

All of this is to protect the legitimate interests of the people of Sword Tower.

After all, every citizen of Sword Tower pays their full share of taxes every year, and Sword Tower's laws must provide them with protection. Otherwise, if everyone works illegally and doesn't pay taxes, the tax revenue collected by the city lord's mansion every year will collapse.

However, every policy has its own countermeasure.

The free man from out of town tore up his travel document and stayed illegally in Sword Tower City.

Sword Tower wants to repatriate people to their place of origin but doesn't know where to send them. Without considering the consequences, they just deport them directly. This would consume too much manpower and resources; where would they find the manpower to deport undocumented immigrants one by one?

Putting them in jail would require spending a lot of money to support them every day, which is not worth it.

After weighing the pros and cons, the Sword Tower has always maintained an attitude of "if the people don't complain, the authorities won't investigate" towards these unregistered individuals.

Those who become unregistered residents specialize in illegal work to make money. As long as they don't commit crimes, even if they are found out to be unregistered residents, they are not in danger of losing their lives. At most, they will be locked up in jail, where they will not have to worry about food or drink. They can also learn livelihood skills from some fellow inmates with special skills. It can be said to be the most awesome continuing education academy that independent practitioners can access, bar none.

Of course, they also inevitably get their butts turned up, beaten, and abused, suffering a series of SM bullying incidents. Those who can endure it can basically survive in the Tower of Swords, and some even thrive in it.

This is why it's so difficult to stop undocumented immigrants from other places from coming to Sword Tower. There's no way around it; in small towns, there's basically no chance of making it big, but in Sword Tower, even as an undocumented immigrant, there's a chance to succeed.

Another type of unregistered person is a local resident who, in order to avoid or reduce taxes, usually only has one or two people registered in the household registration, while the rest of the family members are not registered.

If the investigation leads back to the head of the household, the remaining family members will be added to the household registration without any punishment.

Clearly, the perpetrator overreacted. Whether he was an unregistered resident of the area or an unregistered resident from elsewhere, there was no need for him to kill an official from the household registration department over the issue of being unregistered. This was tantamount to sending himself to the guillotine.

Upon closer reflection, the sense of incongruity is too strong.

Unless the perpetrator has committed a serious crime, they must not be arrested.

Or perhaps someone instigated the perpetrators to premeditate the murder of Yang Jianxin.

Perhaps there are even more hidden secrets.

"This case might be much more complicated than we imagined." After a moment's thought, Zhou Qingfeng turned and headed to the crematorium to personally examine Yang Jianxin's body, carefully consult the coroner, and then decide on the next course of action.

On the way, Zhou Qingfeng casually bought a cup of the spring new product, jasmine milk tea.

Holding a bamboo teacup in one hand, and sucking the tea through a bamboo straw in one's mouth.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the crematorium.

There was no one guarding the entrance, so Zhou Qingfeng walked straight in.

Upon entering the crematorium, Zhou Qingfeng immediately felt the intense aura of death, resentment, and corpses, as well as the strong yin energy emanating from the environment. He hadn't noticed anything amiss before.

When he re-entered the cremation site with his Fiend-Eating Body, he realized the benefits of cultivating there.

The malevolent energy in this place is relatively abundant and continuous.

Long-term cultivation by absorbing the malevolent energy here can increase cultivation speed by at least 20%.

For ordinary cultivators who devour evil spirits, it is also a good place for cultivation.

Zhou Qingfeng walked in from the front yard, passing through several doors and corridors, but didn't see anyone.

"Where did everyone go?!" Zhou Qingfeng frowned slightly, keenly sensing the unusual atmosphere. Although he didn't come to the crematorium often, how could such a busy place be completely deserted?

If this were any ordinary place in the city, Zhou Qingfeng wouldn't have thought much of it, but this was a crematorium. Even if a vengeful ghost suddenly appeared and killed all the living people in the crematorium, it would be quite normal.

He treaded lightly, became wary, observed his surroundings, and slowly retreated, deciding to evacuate the crematorium first.

He then slowly poured magical power into the Holy Ring, preparing to use it to defend against enemies at any time.

At this moment, a familiar voice came from ahead: "What brings you to the crematorium today, Commander Zhou?"

As the words fell, a pale-faced young man with dark circles under his eyes, dressed in a white morgue coat, slowly emerged from the shadows at the end of the dark corridor.

Zhou Qingfeng took a closer look and narrowed his eyes: "Ren Wuji, you look even weaker than you did ten years ago."

Ren Wuji smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Commander Zhou. I won't die for the time being."

Zhou Qingfeng said indifferently, "Where are the people from the crematorium? Why do I only see you?"

Ren Wuji clasped his hands in response: "All the staff in the station have been sent out by this humble servant. For some reason, there are more deaths today. There are not enough people in the body transport team, so I have to send out the cremation team and the autopsy team as well."

Zhou Qingfeng hummed in agreement: "I was officially transferred to the Censorate as Deputy Commander a few days ago, in charge of the Plum Blossom Division of the Fifth Bureau. Coincidentally, I just took office and stumbled upon a case of murdering an official and plotting a rebellion."

"This case is full of suspicious points. I have come to the crematorium to examine the deceased. Where is Yang Jianxin's body?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Wuji clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Lord Yang's body has already been claimed by his family."

Zhou Qingfeng frowned slightly: "The case of murdering an official and plotting rebellion has not been solved. How can Yang Jianxin's body be taken away by others?"

Ren Wuji looked helpless: "Commander Zhou, the cause of Lord Yang's death has been verified and officially entered into the case file."

"The Yang family's request to take the body back to the ancestral grave for burial is reasonable, legitimate, and in accordance with the law."

"I can't find any reason to keep the body."

Zhou Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed. He had come specifically to examine the body, hoping to find some clues, but now the body was gone.

However, Zhou Qingfeng was not one to give up easily. After all, he had come all this way and couldn't let it go to waste.

"Ren Wuji, did you examine the body?"

"Yes."

"Where is the backup copy of the autopsy report?"

"You come with me."

Zhou Qingfeng followed Ren Wuji through the empty crematorium.

In the cold, dark corner, it seemed as if pairs of malicious eyes were spying from the shadows.

As Ren Wuji walked, he said, "Commander Zhou, there's no need to be afraid. Those are just vengeful ghosts hiding in the crematorium. They won't show themselves to attack people unless you violate their taboos. You'll get used to it."

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "I am not afraid of these ghosts, but I am a little annoyed by being spied on."

Ren Wuji gave a pale smile: "You'd better not make a move. The cremation site is more dangerous than you think. The malicious gaze you feel is only what you can sense. What you can't sense is the most deadly."

Zhou Qingfeng chuckled: "There's a reason why Manager Ren has been able to survive here for so long."

Ren Wuji led Zhou Qingfeng into the archives where the autopsy reports were kept, and then searched through the archives for Yang Jianxin's autopsy report, saying, "Commander Zhou, you flatter me. Here is the autopsy report you requested."

"Commander, may I ask another question? The original autopsy report has clearly been included in the case file, so why did you come here in person today to check the backup? Could it be that I made a mistake in the autopsy?"

Zhou Qingfeng took the autopsy report and looked down to read it: "It's just a check. Manager Ren, there's no need to panic. You know that people below like to do things perfunctorily. In such a major case of killing an official, I don't want any stupid mistakes to happen."

Ren Wuji gave an "oh," stood up with his hands clenched, and respectfully bowed his head, awaiting instructions.

Zhou Qingfeng looked down at the backup autopsy report, confirming that the contents were completely consistent with the original autopsy report in the case file, before glancing at Ren Wuji and saying indifferently, "Tell me."

Ren Wuji said, "I don't understand. What do you want me to say?"

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at him sideways and said coldly, "Say some things that are not written in the autopsy report or cannot be written in, as well as your own reasonable guesses. If they help solve the case, I will give you credit."

Ren Wuji calmly said, "Lord Yang's throat was torn apart by the perpetrator. Unfortunately, his life palace was located in the throat. This bite was not fatal, but because his life palace was bitten and eaten, Lord Yang died on the spot."

Zhou Qingfeng said coldly, "I know all of this. Now tell me something I don't know. You know my methods. If you don't tell me now, I'll find out and punish you for concealing information. At that time, no one can save you."

Ren Wuji clasped his hands in a salute: "Commander Zhou, I dare not hide anything. As you know, I do not like living people. I just want to stay here quietly and do not want to cause trouble. So I will tell you the truth."

Zhou Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ren Wuji's pale face, seemingly trying to glean some information from it. Unfortunately, he couldn't read minds and couldn't probe what others were thinking.

"Let's go!" Seeing that he couldn't get any information out of him, Zhou Qingfeng casually tossed the autopsy report to Ren Wuji, turned around, and left without looking back.

Ren Wuji looked up, hurriedly caught the autopsy report, and quickly caught up with him: "Commander Zhou, this humble servant will see you off."

Watching Zhou Qingfeng leave, Ren Wuji's pale smile slowly faded, turning gloomy as he walked back to the morgue, entered the sewers through the secret passage under the autopsy table, and stepped into the underground secret research base.

Lifting the curtain, Ren Wuji bowed and stood up: "Young Master, Zhou Silang is investigating a case of murdering an official for treason."

Dressed in professional medical attire, Ma Dalang was preparing for a new experiment. The subject was a female cultivator at the Devouring Fiend Realm, who was now lying naked on the experimental table. Her hands and feet were bound with ancient shackles of the Fiend level, sealing her magic power and supernatural abilities. She was like a white piglet waiting to be slaughtered.

Ma Dalang took out the carefully modified and cultivated third-generation rock corpse virus from the petri dish next to him, preparing to conduct a live experiment. He said, "Fourth brother is so energetic right after coming out of seclusion. Not bad, not bad."

Ren Wuji said, "I'm worried that if Zhou Silang continues his investigation, it will affect our live experimentation plan."

Ma Dalang waved his hand: "It's alright. Whether Lao Si investigates or not, it won't affect the live experiment plan. This is not something you should worry about. If the situation shows signs of getting out of control, Sima Yan will handle the cleanup."

"Besides, the fourth brother has just arrived at the Censorate to oversee the Fifth Division. Luo Bingyi may seem righteous, but he's not a good person either. With a bunch of students cheering him on, the fourth brother is in for a lot of trouble."

"Under these circumstances, it would be difficult for Lao Si to even gain a foothold in the short term, let alone be distracted by solving the case."

Ren Wuji bowed his head and said, "Young Master is wise."

At this moment, the female cultivator in the Devouring Fiend Realm weakly broke free of the gag, her face filled with terror and tears in her eyes, desperately begging for mercy: "Spare me, spare me, please let me go, I still have a child, my child is only eight years old."

Seeing this, Ma Dalang put his finger to his lips and said, "Shh~~~ It's okay, it's okay, don't be afraid. Humanity will remember your dedication and sacrifice. One day, I will lead humanity to achieve immortality for all, and all humans will remember your dedication today. Be good, don't cry, be brave!"

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