The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 389 - 326, Lord Zhao, the State Preceptor has commanded me to send his regards to you (seeking guaranteed monthly votes)_2

Ma Yan didn't look at him, his eyes fixed on the path ahead as he said,

"That's because you don't understand this person well enough. It's not surprising for someone of the Demon Path to do something so audacious. Haha, you should know, if he weren't bold, would he have dared to deceive under the very nose of the Heavenly Master Mansion in the Capital all those years ago?"

Mr. Zhao completed the thought in his mind,

In his view, many people probably guessed back then that this person wasn't cultivating any legitimate divinity.

But this world is never simply black and white, where good and evil stand distinct.

The late Emperor, wishing to extend his life, could turn a blind eye intentionally, and so could others out of consideration for the Royal Family, pretending not to see.

Zhao Douan curiously asked, "So, what grudge do these three have with the Demon Path?"

Ma Yan explained,

"Kong Hanlin is a very traditional scholar. In the past, because the late Emperor titled him as State Preceptor, Kong Hanlin opposed it as it breached propriety and repeatedly submitted petitions against it, earning the enmity of the Demon Path. However, out of respect for the high status of the Hanlin Academy and the support of people like Grandmaster Dong behind him, the late Emperor only suppressed Kong a little."

"That Dan Dao Priest... Right, he's your own clan member, surnamed Zhao. Divine Officer Zhao publicly questioned the legitimacy of the State Preceptor's Magic and the authenticity of his methods... It caused a big stir, and he became an object of the Demon Path's hatred. But since Heavenly Master Zhang was there, the issue ultimately dissipated without consequence."

Ah... so he was the priest who openly exposed the fraud back then... Zhao Douan suddenly realized.

Ma Yan continued, "As for the Deputy General of the Thousand Cows Guard... during the revolt, it was he who chopped off the Demon Path's head in the midst of chaos."

Zhao Douan:...

Alright, that's a pretty solid reason for a grudge.

Zhao Douan blinked, curiously asking, "Then that person, back in the Imperial Palace, was really..."

Ma Yan glanced at him, caught the underlying tone, sighed, and explained,

"The death of the late Emperor should have no direct connection to him, after all, the palace was full of experts, and they wouldn't allow him to do evil. As for whether there is an indirect connection, that's uncertain. It remains an unsolved case.

There's a more pressing theory, though. Your Majesty once suspected that when the Second Prince Jian Wen led troops to storm the palace, attempting a coup, he might have been bewitched by this person."

Ah... Zhao Douan paused, now filled with doubts.

The Empress had made it clear just now that Martial God Temple could break into dreams, so it should have some resistance to bewitchment.

Even if they didn't, Xu Jianwen himself had cultivation, and with experts and Magic Artifacts around him, it didn't make sense for him to be vulnerable to the Demon Path.

But indeed, it was hard to say for sure.

Perhaps only by capturing the former State Preceptor could the truth be revealed.

Through dynasties, affairs involving the Royal Family were always shrouded in numerous secrets and conspiracy theories, something Zhao Douan had seen much of.

...

With heavy thoughts in mind, the two left the Meridian Gate and rode out of the Imperial City.

After all the turmoil, it was nearly noon when they exited. Ma Yan needed to return to the government office to arrange the pursuit.

Zhao Douan caught up with "lunchtime" and did not return with him. Instead, he decided to first have a meal.

Eating is the most important thing of all.

Riding around, he went to the busiest restaurant street in the Capital and entered an eatery displaying a hotpot sign, one he frequented.

The hotpot of the Great Yu Dynasty is the classic copper pot, only popular during the autumn and winter seasons.

Every year, after the Mid-Autumn Festival when the weather cooled down, the copper pots in various inns around the city would be put to use.

Zhao Douan stepped up to the second floor where, because he often dined here with colleagues, the restaurant staff recognized this important figure and immediately ushered him into a private room reserved for dignitaries.

In a short while, a copper pot was lit with bright red charcoal, and platters of freshly sliced lamb accompanied by side dishes filled the table.

"How does that saying go? After the pickles roll the tofu..."

Zhao Douan declined the waiter's service, with long chopsticks, he personally immersed the meat and vegetables into the bubbling milky soup, then took a piece of soft tofu from a dish, cut it into small pieces with a knife, and poured it into the pot.

Outside the window was a bustling and lively streetscape, with the sounds of peddlers and the hustle and bustle of passersby.

Upstairs there were boiling waters, a warm pot of wine.

After cutting the tofu, Zhao Douan picked up a roasted peanut and chewed on it silently.

Then he took a sip from his wine cup, pondering over the affair of the bewitching Demon Path.

Suddenly, a "knock knock" sound came from the door of the private room.

"Come in." Zhao Douan thought it was a server with more dishes, but the person who entered was an unremarkable middle-aged man.

"You must be mistaken," Zhao Douan said.

The middle-aged man of average build, with an ordinary face, wore a flat cap and a silk jacket, resembling a businessman, closed the door behind him.

Then he turned around, seemingly to confirm, and asked, "Is this Lord Zhao of the White Horse Hall?"

Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Which family are you from?"

He habitually assumed it was a servant from some important person in the Capital who might be dining in the same building, wanting to pay his respects.

But sending a mere servant instead of coming yourself, that was a bit unthoughtful.

The middle-aged man seemed to smile at that, as he walked straight to the table and took the empty seat opposite the hotpot. He raised his hand and removed the melon skin cap from his head, wearing a warm and courteous smile on his face.

It was clear he was a businessman, but something about his demeanor inexplicably reminded Zhao Douan of a classic European gentleman he had seen in British dramas of his previous life, one who would wear a silk hat and a waistcoat.

"I have long admired Lord Zhao's great name, and I hope my uninvited visit is not too presumptuous."

The middle-aged man's bloodshot yet strangely bewitching eyes conveyed his smile:

"The State Preceptor of the Great Yu Dynasty, has sent me to greet you."

...

...

Imperial Court.

Ma Yan rode back alone to the Governor Hall.

Upon entering, he saw that only two Masters were still waiting there; all the others had vanished.

"Lord!"

The two hurried to stand and salute.

Ma Yan nodded and then frowned, "Where are the others?"

"One explained, "According to your order, they're all investigating 'that person'."

Everyone seemed unsure how to refer to the State Preceptor, who had once brought chaos above his station and returned from the dead in an eerie fashion.

Ma Yan gave a nod, not holding out much hope as he said, "Any discoveries?"

"Not yet," both men said in unison.

Ma Yan was unfazed; the Demon Path adherent, though bold enough to harm the country with his Evil Path presence, was no fool.

How could he leave behind any clear clues?

He was about to give orders to gather more people to discuss the next steps, to guard against the places the State Preceptor might visit and to set up defenses and wait patiently for his move.

Suddenly, a figure hurriedly walked into the hall.

"Lord, we've found something!"

Haitang said loudly, drawing everyone's attention.

Without waiting for further questions, she quickly explained:

"My people started investigating from the origin of the paper used in that flyer, which led us to the shop that sold it. From there, we trailed a visiting Daoist in patchwork robes, who could potentially be that person.

The pursuit then led to a tailor shop. Our people didn't scare them off, but watched secretly. They didn't see the patchwork-robed Daoist but noticed that the tailor shop's Shopkeeper was acting suspiciously. He had just left, and our people are following him secretly."

Ma Yan's gaze was sharp, and he didn't hesitate, immediately grabbing his long sword:

"Take me there! Right now! Immediately!"

...

...

"The State Preceptor of the Great Yu Kingdom, has sent me to greet you."

In the restaurant, inside the private room.

The two sat opposite each other, with the bronze hotpot on the table stirring up waves of heat.

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

Zhao Douan's pupils suddenly narrowed, his muscles tensed underneath his clothes, ready for any surprise attack.

The State Preceptor of Great Yu?!

That Gu Huo charlatan?

Zhao Douan could barely contain his astonishment, mixed with intense caution.

Zhenbao's surname isn't Xu, it should be Cao, right? Just said it and here she is? It's like jinxing it...

Oh, I jinxed it too, but luckily, something good happened... Eh, she and I are both jinxing it... We're alike in that regard...

Zhao Douan forcibly cut off his inappropriate inner commentary and quickly ran through his thoughts, yet maintaining a calm exterior, even deliberately showing a sneer and disdain:

"Ha, a request made just this dawn and now someone comes knocking, eager indeed. Are you a minion of that charlatan, or a rebel from the Kuangfu Society, or perhaps both?"

He put down his wine cup and let out a cold laugh:

"What kind of sewer rat dares to face this official?"

The middle-aged man maintained his composure, polite as ever:

"Why must Mr. Zhao be angry? I am currently the acting leader of the Capital sub-branch of the Kuangfu Society. My status may be disreputable, but I believe I still have the right to speak with your excellency... Besides, why not listen to what I have to say first?"