Chapter 1774 - 1759: Uprooted

The sun had just risen. While Ye Zhen was guarding the entrance of the War Soul Hall, the Qingzhou State City, home to the West Patrol Office, was thousands of miles away.

Weis Gang, the right-hand man of Xio Qiangu, who had been reassigned as the West Patrol Right Officer, hurriedly walked towards Xio Qiangu, who was enjoying breakfast in the Flower Hall.

"Master, the matters related to Ye Zhen over at Luoyi have been thoroughly investigated." Weis Gang presented a Jade Scroll wrapped in layers of sealing.

Xio Qiangu did not rush to read it but slowly savored the last bite of food, took a sip of rich Spirit Wine, and then picked up the Jade Scroll. Applying a Secret Technique, he dispelled the layers of sealing to examine its contents.

After only a few glances, Xio Qiangu’s eyebrows raised.

"This Ye Zhen, he managed to get Wu Yu’s help, and it’s not a small effort. It seems Ye Zhen must have paid a significant price."

"Even the Secret Overseer intervened? It appears to be on behalf of Princess Changle." Xio Qiangu commented while reading.

"Princess Changle herself intimidated the Day Priest of the War Soul Hall? It seems Ye Zhen is determined to obtain the Avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal." After speaking, Xio Qiangu glanced at Weis Gang, as if seeking confirmation.

"Master, your judgment is correct. All of this conflict arose from the War Soul Hall’s refusal to rent the Avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal to Ye Zhen, deliberately making things difficult for him.

And Ye Zhen, after facing this difficulty, stormed the War Soul Hall that very afternoon and blocked its entrance.

Based on intelligence, Ye Zhen left the Ancestor God Temple that night, likely seeking help from the Grand Celestial Official and others.

Ye Zhen is not only determined to obtain the Avatar but also seems to be in a hurry!" Weis Gang said.

Suddenly, Xio Qiangu’s gaze became somewhat ethereal, "So, what exactly does Ye Zhen want to do with this Avatar in such a hurry?"

"That’s unclear. However, the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal mainly pertains to Divine Soul, likely an issue with Divine Soul Power." Weis Gang replied.

"An issue with Divine Soul...."

Xio Qiangu’s eyes suddenly turned sharp, "I remember that when renting the Avatar, one must personally imprint their Divine Soul temporarily, yes?"

"Correct." Weis Gang nodded.

"Then, do we know how long Ye Zhen intends to rent the Avatar?" Xio Qiangu inquired again.

"According to intelligence, Ye Zhen initially requested fifteen days from the War Soul Hall." Weis Gang answered.

"Fifteen days...."

Xio Qiangu sank into deep thought again.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "Just fifteen days. Ye Zhen likely doesn’t plan to refine his Divine Soul with it, but has other use. Based on Ye Zhen’s current behavior, this is quite crucial for him.

When using the Avatar, outside interference is most forbidden, meaning we will have about fifteen days of valuable time to utilize.

During these fifteen days, the Second Route Patrol Department will lose Ye Zhen’s leadership. Minor things they can handle, but if major issues arise, then...."

Xio Qiangu’s mouth twisted with cold intent, "Moreover, fifteen days is ample time for us to establish indisputable evidence against Ye Zhen, leaving him with no chance to recover."

Upon hearing this, Weis Gang nodded, "It should be so, though Ye Zhen’s methods often leave wiggle room, so perhaps we won’t have a full fifteen days.

But at least ten days or so, probably between ten to fifteen days."

"Ten days should suffice."

"Send orders for them to prepare. Once they receive our message, proceed with the plan!" Xio Qiangu abruptly instructed.

"Understood!"

As he replied, Weis Gang raised his head and asked, "Master, what if the War Soul Hall doesn’t yield?"

"I think it’s almost there. But if the War Soul Hall truly refuses to yield, then have our personnel apply more pressure secretly; this opportunity is vital for us!"

Saying this, Xio Qiangu clenched his fist sharply, "This time, we must seize this chance to expel Ye Zhen from the West Patrol and uproot his influence completely.

Moreover, we must ensure Ye Zhen has no chance of resurgence!"

"Yes!"

.....

At the same time, Ye Zhen swaggered into the War Soul Hall, invited by Right Chief Priest Dalantai.

In fact, since receiving the message from Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu last night and a Secret Jade Slip delivered by Chief Eunuch Yu Chao’en’s envoy, Ye Zhen knew that the time to reveal his hand was in the next day or two.

After all, Ye Zhen’s purpose this time wasn’t to overturn the entire War Soul Hall, but to force them to yield.

In comparison, the true drama was being played by the Secret Overseer and the Heavenly Patrol Department. Ye Zhen’s blockade hurt the War Soul Hall’s pride, while the Heavenly Patrol Department and the Secret Overseer inflicted deep wounds on the War Soul Hall’s upper echelons!

Ye Zhen’s daily blockade was mainly to attract the War Soul Hall’s attention, leaving them unable to focus on the attacks from the Heavenly Patrol Department, thus hindering their prompt response at the beginning.

By the time they react, the situation will already be beyond their control.

In fact, when Ye Zhen saw the message from Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu, with ironclad evidence of collusion with Foreign Clans and Demon Clan by the Dalantai Da Clan, he was quite surprised.

It was a delightful surprise coming from nowhere.

Therefore, when Dalantai welcomed Ye Zhen inside, his expression was eager to immediately represent the War Soul Hall to reconcile with Ye Zhen.

If he could decide, he might immediately agree to rent Ye Zhen the Avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal.

However, he didn’t have that authority.

When Ye Zhen entered the hall, the high-ranking officials of the War Soul Hall did not show him a good face.

But the problem is, at this moment, the families of most of the War Soul Hall’s high-ranking officials are being watched by the Heavenly Patrol Department. If it’s not handled properly, the War Soul Hall could be in big trouble.

"Except for Xii Mo and Dalantai, everyone else step back," said Hall Master Bi Ze.

After a few breaths, Ye Zhen was invited by Hall Master Bi Ze to the tea room in the great hall, where Bi Ze, Ye Zhen, and Xii Mo settled into their positions.

As for Dalantai, who held a slightly lower status, he became the one serving tea.

However, at this moment, let alone serving tea, even if asked to offer tea, he was willing.

After taking a symbolic sip of tea, War Soul Hall Master Bi Ze placed the just-received Jade Scroll on the tea table.

"Left Chief Priest Ye, may I interpret this Jade Scroll from you as a threat?" Bi Ze’s face was filled with seriousness.

The reason is simple: every matter recorded in that Jade Scroll could cause several members of the Bi family’s clan to fall.

And the secret events recorded inside were no less than hundreds, some of which he hadn’t even heard of, not knowing how Ye Zhen unearthed them.

Besides that, there are hundreds of other illegal acts involving the families of other high-ranking officials of the War Soul Hall, a few of which are truly shocking.

"A threat?"

Ye Zhen didn’t appear as tense as Bi Ze and others, leaning casually, "Think whatever you like, Hall Master Bi. However, the matters in this Jade Scroll are not fabricated by me.

All are documented, verifiable facts, and both the Heavenly Patrol Department and the Secret Overseer have records."

"Secret Overseer?"

Bi Ze’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Bi Ze, as the War Soul Hall Master, is well aware of the reputation of the Secret Overseer.

But Bi Ze had never expected that the Secret Overseer would be involved in this matter.

The Secret Overseer could report directly to Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, as it is an intelligence agency. Ye Zhen being able to mobilize the power of the Secret Overseer meant that Ye Zhen’s influence is not as they had estimated.

Not only Bi Ze, but Xii Mo and Dalantai were all astonished.

Compared to the notorious Heavenly Patrol Department, the Secret Overseer is even more secretive; most people don’t even know who’s in charge of it.

The unknown is the most terrifying.

This is why the shock of Bi Ze, Xii Mo, and others was so profound.

But it’s because they knew the intelligence from the Secret Overseer could reach Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long that they felt it’s terrifying.

In fact, as the Chief Eunuch Yu Chao’en who manages the Secret Overseer said, the Secret Overseer wouldn’t report everything.

Basically, it only investigates and archives, and only reports when necessary or when the threat reaches a certain degree.

Otherwise, the Secret Overseer would receive tens of millions of messages from across the Great Zhou Dynasty every day, how could they possibly convey every single one?

But Bi Ze and others were unaware of this, hence their fear.

"There are some matters, even you as the Bi Clan Leader might not know!" Ye Zhen suddenly laughed coldly, "To be honest, if I wanted, I could dig up even more of the messy affairs within your Bi family."

"Of course, whether this intelligence becomes archived in some corner or becomes Ministry of Justice or Heavenly Patrol Department or Three Law Departments’ desk documents depends on Hall Master Bi’s choice!" Ye Zhen said.

"Ye Zhen, don’t assume you’re the only one with backing; we at the War Soul Hall also have supporters," Left Chief Priest Xii Mo said defiantly.

"Are you talking about Tongg Na Tong Daquan Priest?"

Ye Zhen shrugged dismissively, "I don’t deny that the Tong Daquan Priest has considerable influence. But, you can give it a try and see if Tong Daquan Priest can protect all your high-ranking officials’ clan members who’ve committed offenses."

"What do you say, Right Chief Priest Dalantai? Can Tong Daquan Priest cover up the collusion with the Demon Clan?"

Upon Ye Zhen’s words, Dalantai, who was pouring tea, trembled, spilling it all over.

Ye Zhen then turned his gaze to Xii Mo, "Of course, is the Priest Xii thinking that the offenses committed by his family members are insignificant enough to remain uninvolved."

"No, no, no!" Ye Zhen shook his head, "You might be unaware of the greatest skill of the Heavenly Patrol Department.

The greatest skill of the Heavenly Patrol Department is not gathering intelligence, but planting incriminations! Especially since both your families have maritime fleets, framing you as colluding with the Demon Clan is too easy."

"You wouldn’t dare!" Xii Mo stood up angrily, glaring at Ye Zhen with murderous intent!

Ye Zhen’s face was full of ridicule, "What wouldn’t I dare?"

"Of course, the incriminations might ultimately be cleared, but I wonder, how many times can your family members endure the torment of the Heavenly Patrol Department!" Ye Zhen sneered coldly.

Being directly threatened by Ye Zhen, Hall Master Bi Ze felt his face couldn’t hold anymore, "Do you really think I’m so easily frightened? The Grand Celestial Official of the Heavenly Patrol Department is not you, Ye Zhen!"

"Then try it!" Ye Zhen leaned closer with a face full of provocation!