Chapter 1767 - 1752: The Grand Celestial Official’s Conditions

That night, after receiving a talisman communication, Ye Zhen appeared in an inconspicuous house on the edge of the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, taking a complicated route.

The house looked unremarkable from the outside and wasn’t large, but upon entering, it revealed a different world.

Not only was it enhanced with an advanced space overlay formation, but every item arranged in the courtyard and the flower hall was exquisitely placed.

Some objects there couldn’t be bought even with spirit stones.

"The honored guest is asked to wait; the patriarch cannot guarantee when he might appear, but he said that as soon as he has free time, he will come over." After handing Ye Zhen some tea, the delicate servant left.

Upon careful observation, one would notice that all the servants in this house were little eunuchs.

About an hour later, the patriarch mentioned by the servant, Chief Eunuch and Grand Chief Overseer of the Secret Office of the Great Zhou Empire, Yu Chaoen, appeared leisurely.

Upon seeing him, Ye Zhen hurriedly went up to greet him.

This meeting was mainly possible because of Princess Changle.

Moreover, before this, Princess Changle had someone deliver a handwritten letter to Yu Chaoen.

"I’ve read the Princess’s letter. By rights, considering the relationship between the Princess and me, I should comply immediately.

However, what the Princess entrusted is all about assisting Lord Ye, so there are some things I need to say." Perhaps due to urgency or Ye Zhen and Princess Changle’s relationship, Yu Chaoen was speaking very directly, unlike his usual roundabout way.

"Please go ahead, Grand Steward."

Ye Zhen behaved very properly before Yu Chaoen, mainly because Yu Chaoen always seemed to take great care of Princess Changle.

"You want to target the relatives of the top echelons of the War Soul Hall; that is extremely troublesome. Behind the War Soul Hall is the Second Grand Power Sacrifice, Tongna.

Although Tongna doesn’t have authority over my Secret Office, his power in the court is not weak."

"More importantly, you must understand the duties of our Secret Office. We are only accountable to His Majesty, even if we acquire evidence of corruption by the War Soul Hall high officials’ relatives, it cannot be publicly exposed in court.

Moreover, unless something is of massive significance, I myself can’t report it to His Majesty at random," Yu Chaoen explained.

"Grand Steward, I’m not really aiming to go against the War Soul Hall high officials’ relatives; I just want evidence of their crimes," Ye Zhen said.

"To use it as leverage to coerce them?" Yu Chaoen frowned, "Have you considered what happens if they refuse to be coerced by you?

Evidence of this kind exists with nearly every noble under the Great Zhou, but not all can be brought to court.

With the Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna backing them, your intentions might not succeed."

"Concerns can lead to confusion! Moreover, the Great Zhou Imperial Court isn’t just dominated by Tongna, though his influence is indeed strong.

Besides, although Tongna occupies a high position, he certainly has adversaries," Ye Zhen stated.

Hearing this, Yu Chaoen gave Ye Zhen a surprised look, "Are you trying to snatch chestnuts from the fire? There might be a chance for success in that."

With a sigh, Yu Chaoen continued, "Fine, since your idea is intriguing, and it comes at the Princess’s request, I will help you this once. However, remember you owe me a promise, and will owe me a favor."

Ye Zhen naturally understood that Yu Chaoen meant he wouldn’t obstruct Ye Zhen from interacting with Princess Changle; in fact, he wanted the Princess to be happier.

But absolutely no inappropriate actions were to occur between Ye Zhen and the Princess.

According to Yu Chaoen, such actions would bring great calamity to both him and Princess Changle.

As for owing a favor, what could Ye Zhen say?

For the sake of his martial arts, for breaking through to the Dark Palace Realm, even if he owed one, or even three or five, Ye Zhen would bite the bullet and accept.

....

Another two hours later, Ye Zhen appeared at the headquarters of the Heavenly Patrol Department, waiting for Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu to arrive.

Unlike other bureaus and departments of Great Zhou, which closed after dark, the Heavenly Patrol Department was different; it was normal to operate throughout the night.

In fact, sometimes the headquarters was even busier at night than during the day.

In the morning when he went to challenge the War Soul Hall’s gambling gate, Ye Zhen had dispatched someone to the headquarters to request a meeting with Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu to report on the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy situation.

The meeting was scheduled for a quarter past midnight.

It must be said, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu was quite punctual, appearing in the silent chamber where Ye Zhen was waiting before the scheduled time.

He directly sat down in front of Ye Zhen, glanced at him coldly, and got straight to the point, "Speak, what exactly do you want from me?

Don’t give me any nonsense about reporting situations; I don’t have time to waste on that."

"Uh...." Ye Zhen showed a slight awkward smile, "The Grand Celestial Official is wise!" Giving a little flattery, Ye Zhen added, "Grand Celestial Official, I’ve encountered a small issue and would like your help with a minor matter."

"A minor matter?" Wu Yu tapped on the table, "Let’s hear it!"

Quickly, Ye Zhen explained his request for the Heavenly Patrol Department to investigate the War Soul Hall high officials’ relatives.

Before Ye Zhen even finished speaking, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu’s eyes widened fiercely, "Is this what you consider a minor matter? Are you trying to say I don’t have enough enemies already?"

"Do you know what this means?"

"It means provoking the Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna, who controls more than a third of the Ancestor God Temple’s power.

Clearly, the big scene you played out in the War Soul Hall today wasn’t purely for venting your anger," Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu said.

"Sir, if it were anything else, how would I dare disturb the Grand Celestial Official?"

"You caused such a commotion, if I didn’t know, then the Heavenly Patrol Department might as well shut down."

Speaking to this point, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu lightly tapped the table, "Don’t say I don’t care for my subordinates or help them! Convince me!

If you can give me a reason to have no choice but to take action against the countless nobles behind Tongna at the Ancestor God Temple, I will help you."

"Grand Celestial Official, for my hard-earned nail inserted in the West Patrol to continue to exist and grow, is this reason sufficient?" Ye Zhen suddenly said.

Originally half-closing his eyes, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu abruptly opened them, sat straight up, and stared at Ye Zhen with an intimidating and cold gaze.

"Ye Zhen, can I interpret this as you using your status as a threat against me?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhen smiled bitterly, "Grand Celestial Official, why can’t you consider that what I say is all true?"

"How so? Do you think I would believe the reason that the War Soul Hall has targeted you?" Wu Yu frowned as he spoke.

"I won’t hide it from you, Grand Celestial Official, my Divine Soul is somewhat special. My cultivation is currently stuck at the Ninth Stage Peak of Divine Communication Realm, and can’t break through, unless......"

Immediately, Ye Zhen spoke frankly, revealing the current difficulties completely.

Ye Zhen understands well, trying to deceive Wu Yu, the head of the Heavenly Patrol Department, is too difficult. It’s better to be truthful.

What Ye Zhen relies on is the value of this nail.

It’s the only one successfully implanted into the West Patrol for hundreds of years and has persisted for the longest time, also the only one capable of serving as a Wind Patrol Envoy.

Of course, Ye Zhen’s difficulties are indeed genuine.

"Couldn’t break through in cultivation? Is there no other way except head-on confrontation with the War Soul Hall and that old fellow Tongna?" Wu Yu frowned and said.

"There is, to find and borrow another two Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal once." Ye Zhen said.

Wu Yu waved his hand, "This difficulty is even greater. Is there really no other way?"

"I have consulted many experts, and they say there’s no other solution — simply to find the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal or similar Acquired Spirit Treasure for aid.

Furthermore, Chief Yu has looked into it; this is the only way to solve my current problem." Ye Zhen said.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yu’s eyes moved, "Chief Yu is aware of this? You’ve also asked him for help then?"

"I wouldn’t have that kind of influence; it was Princess Changle who wrote a personal letter." Ye Zhen admitted regarding Yu Chao’en’s involvement.

Obviously, upon hearing this news, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu began to ponder.

The intervention of Yu Chao’en’s Secret Overseer Office in itself isn’t significant; what’s crucial is, once Yu Chao’en intervenes, it signifies he and Yu Chao’en, the dogs of Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long of the Great Zhou Empire, have united.

Under such circumstances, the risk becomes much smaller.

"Sir, I had no choice but to come to you. If my cultivation can’t break through, it’ll be stuck there for life.

If my cultivation doesn’t progress, it’ll be very difficult for me to continue expanding influence in the West Patrol. Moreover, I must wander the whole world searching for a breakthrough in cultivation.

After all, improving cultivation involves not just martial arts but also life span," Ye Zhen continued adding weight slowly.

For now, it seems Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu is already tempted.

This is exactly why Ye Zhen meticulously arranged to meet Yu Chao’en first and then Wu Yu.

The intervention of Chief Yu undeniably influences Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu significantly.

After pondering for a long time, Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu slowly lifted his head, "I can intervene to help with this matter. However, initially I can only investigate some minor figures. As for the real big players, I can only exert implicit pressure; don’t expect me to personally cut them down.

After all, that involves opposing hundreds or even thousands of Nobility of Great Zhou; I’m not crazy!"

Hearing this, Ye Zhen was overjoyed. Indeed, Ye Zhen’s original intention was to leverage pressure on the War Soul Hall to make them acquiesce. If it really came to knives drawn and blood, he might never obtain the avatar of Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal in his lifetime.

"Subordinate thanks the Grand Celestial Official!"

Ye Zhen hurriedly stood and bowed deeply, yet Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu waved his hand, "Don’t rush to thank me yet; you might end up cursing me later."

"Why?" Ye Zhen bewilderedly asked.

"Because my assistance comes with conditions. You don’t expect me to help you without reason, risking offending thousands of nobles, do you?" Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu said.

"Conditions...."

Ye Zhen had a bitter smile on his face; even though Ye Zhen had anticipated this, it was still somewhat disheartening. The conditions set by a figure like Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu won’t be simple!