novelraw Chapter 512 - 431: Who Would Have Thought Even You, Upright and Honest, Would Side with Nan Cang!
Chapter 512 - 431: Who Would Have Thought Even You, Upright and Honest, Would Side with Nan Cang!
"Law? Saint Law Celestial Monarch?!"
Upon seeing the large characters engraved on the sword blade using Spiritual Runes, Su Yuan’s mind instantly conjured up a name.
Among the Divinity Transformation Cultivators related to law, Saint Law Celestial Monarch was undoubtedly the most memorable to Su Yuan.
"Could it be that this place is where Saint Law Celestial Monarch suppressed his own doppelgänger?"
Su Yuan picked up the broken sword from the coffin, repeatedly examining it as he murmured to himself.
But soon, a new idea emerged in his mind.
"Not necessarily... Judging by the current atmosphere in Celestial Law World, the Saint Law Celestial Monarch in the Immortal Realm may not be the real one."
"He (she) might have suppressed a doppelgänger, only to be secretly schemed against by another doppelgänger. After all, there’s no evidence suggesting that only one doppelgänger can exist."
"Or perhaps, the one suppressed here wasn’t a doppelgänger at all, but the real Saint Law Celestial Monarch."
"He (she) lost to the doppelgänger in a struggle but, for some reason, didn’t fall, and instead was sealed here, only managing to escape when the seal loosened over ten thousand years later."
Thoughts swept through Su Yuan’s mind one after another, leaving him somewhat uncertain.
He turned to look at An Xingran and Chen Nuoyi, who were waiting on the side, and explained the engravings on the broken sword and all his speculations.
An Xingran pondered and said:
"After ascending to the Immortal Realm, if we’re able to meet Saint Law Celestial Monarch, we can conduct an assessment first."
Su Yuan nodded, temporarily putting aside his concerns.
Stowing away the broken sword, he swiftly swept the Primordial Tribulation Qi clean from the Secret Realm, tidied up the scene, and quickly departed from the Secret Realm.
In the following days, the situation in Cold Plum World rapidly stabilized, even the envoy sent by the Central Hub didn’t find anything amiss.
This indicated that Taibai Phecda had succeeded in completely deceiving both the higher-ups and lower ranks, with no immediate worry of exposure.
During this time, Su Yuan busied himself refining the acquired Primordial Tribulation Qi, while also investigating the officials’ system in Xianghan Mansion with great fanfare.
Causing a stir at Xianghan Mansion, bringing down a heap of Immortal Officials, he returned with a mountain of accolades to the capital of Cold Plum World.
Meanwhile, Ye Muyu, who had seized control of the Flame Evil Sect and absorbed the declining Demon Sect members such as Ghost Shadow Sect, also received a new mission.
The mission was simple: to secretly search for information regarding Saint Law Celestial Monarch.
Despite the entity from the Secret Realm having emerged from the coffin many years ago, it’s possible he or she might still linger in Cold Plum World. A careful search might bring unexpected surprises.
Shenghan Mansion, in a small lakeside abode.
Su Yuan, draped in a fox fur coat, strolled along the lakeside with Mei Qingquan, the prefect of Shenghan Mansion.
"Lord Su, your performance at Xianghan Mansion was unexpectedly outstanding."
Mei Qingquan smiled and said:
"Striking against the Demon Sect related to Nan Cang, bringing down officials, and rescuing many fallen women—your deeds prove your determination to thwart Nan Cang."
Su Yuan waved dismissively and said:
"Lord Mei praises too much, I merely fulfilled the duty owed as a Celestial Patrol Envoy."
"And we have Joyful Union Sect and Ghost Shadow Sect’s resistance against Nan Cang to thank for, otherwise my work wouldn’t have proceeded so smoothly."
"What Lord Su says is sensible."
Mei Qingquan stroked his beard, his gaze flickered as he suddenly lowered his voice:
"However, it’s precisely this matter that piques my suspicion."
Su Yuan: "Oh? Where does the suspicion lie?"
Mei Qingquan: "Everyone is saying that the Southern Governor timely discovered and swiftly thwarted Outer Heaven Demon Flame River’s plots, saving the entirety of Cold Plum World."
"But if that’s true, why did Nan Cang engage in various anomalous behaviors before Flame River’s actions?"
"Executing Ghost Shadow Sect Leader in advance, issuing warrants against Joyful Union Sect Leader, finally bringing Flame River under his wing—this series of events is riddled with dense anomalies."
Upon hearing this, Su Yuan displayed astonishment and said:
"Given Lord Mei’s account, indeed, Nan Cang’s maneuvers are highly questionable. What do you think might be the true story behind this incident?"
Mei Qingquan drew a deep breath, with a solemn expression, he spoke to Su Yuan:
"Nephew Su, the following words come from the depths of my heart, and because of my absolute trust in you, I dare reveal them. I ask that you keep them confidential."
Seeing Mei Qingquan’s profound disposition, Su Yuan also became more serious:
"Uncle Mei, please speak."
He then listened to Mei Qingquan whisper:
"From what I know of Nan Cang, he lacks the courage to lead an assault against Outer Heaven Demon, but is bold enough to use this pretense to profit, and enormously so."
"I reckon this Flame River is not an Outer Heaven Demon, but merely a scapegoat thrust forward by Nan Cang."
Su Yuan displayed terrified astonishment and said:
"Such is the case! Nan Cang is truly audacious!"
Mei Qingquan sighed:
"Following this logic, the Demon Cultivators whose life aura and cultivation have been devoured, and the Nascent Soul True Monarchs severely injured in the Governor’s Mansion, are all Nan Cang’s handiwork."
"Perhaps Ruan Pingcui of Joyful Union Sect and Kongyue of Ghost Shadow Sect chose to resist because they uncovered the truth."
"Nephew Su, ponder this: Nan Cang may have dared to sacrifice the lives of many Demon Sect Cultivators this time, but next time he might sacrifice the entire Cold Plum World."
"At this moment, I believe a thorough investigation from the higher-ups is warranted."
Su Yuan: "Uncle Mei’s consideration is thorough, earning my admiration. What should I do?"
Mei Qingquan: "As a Celestial Patrol Envoy, you can report to the Central Hub once every three months. I hope you’ll mention Nan Cang’s issue again during your reporting."
Su Yuan: "...Alright, I understand."
Upon hearing Su Yuan take on this heavy responsibility, Mei Qingquan’s tense expression also relaxed a bit.
He withdrew his gaze from the lake and turned to look at Su Yuan, smiling as he invited Su Yuan into the house for a drink.
But at this moment, he realized that Su Yuan’s expression had somehow turned a bit strange.
Even... eerie!
"Uncle Mei, thank you for telling me such important news. I will report it truthfully to the higher-ups."
Su Yuan’s tone was gloomy, carrying a kind of fear that chilled Mei Qingquan to the bone.
He didn’t understand, why did this feeling of fear suddenly arise within him.
But in the next second, he understood.
He saw a group of officials from the Central Hub descending from the distant sky, landing beside the two of them.
The leading official held in his hand a jade scroll-shaped letter of appointment.
Su Yuan was not surprised by the arrival of these officials, straightening his clothes and striding briskly to them.
"Celestial Patrol Envoy Su Youlin, after many days in office with outstanding achievements, specially recommended by the Governor of Cold Plum World, thus given a special promotion and appointed as the Vice Governor of Cold Plum World!"
The leading Immortal Official smiled and handed the letter of appointment to the solemn Su Yuan:
"Governor Su, you are the youngest Vice Governor I have seen, your future is limitless."
"I hope you will continue to strive in office and work with the Southern Governor to manage Cold Plum World in an orderly manner."
"Naturally."
Su Yuan accepted the letter of appointment with a smile and received official attire, official hat, official seal, and the Governor’s sword from the other Immortal Officials.
Taking off his fox fur coat, donning the purple official robe, and wearing the golden official seal, Su Yuan turned to look at the dazed-faced Mei Qingquan and said warmly:
"Lord Mei, you are a Standard Fourth Grade, and now I am also a Standard Fourth Grade. In the future, we must supervise each other as equals."
Mei Qingquan opened his mouth, muttering in disbelief:
"You... even you were corrupted by Nan Cang? Just because he promised you the Fourth Grade official position, you betrayed your own beliefs?"
"Hey, hey, hey, you can eat the food without thinking, but words cannot be spoken carelessly."
Su Yuan said seriously:
"What do you mean I was corrupted by the Southern Governor? His Excellency is a realm’s governor, with discerning eyes. He valued me and promoted me exceptionally, only for a better service to Cold Plum World, isn’t this a good story?"
He shook his head and said:
"Some people, when their hearts are dark, see everything as dark."
"Lord Mei, this world is not as dark as you imagine. You must not spread any bad remarks before the Immortal Envoy."
Mei Qingquan fell into silence, his expression becoming utterly defeated.
The Celestial Patrol Envoy being bribed meant Nan Cang truly had the power to cover the sky with one hand, and with just his strength alone, he couldn’t even denounce him, only watching helplessly as the situation worsens.
Is Cold Plum World about to fall into the hands of thieves like this?
Looking at the lonely-faced Mei Qingquan, Su Yuan sighed inwardly.
If possible, he truly didn’t want to say such harsh words earlier, it was too hurtful.
But there was no choice, if he didn’t scare Mei Qingquan into complete disillusionment, it might lead the just stabilized Cold Plum World into turmoil again.
This might affect the Mai Gou plan.
He could only apologize, hoping when the truth is revealed, the other will forgive him.
He no longer paid attention to Mei Qingquan and looked to the Immortal Envoys:
"I heard after becoming an Immortal Official above Fourth Grade, one could obtain a chance for ascension to the Immortal Realm to meet the Immortal Gods, I wonder if I can use this opportunity now?"
The leading Immortal Envoy nodded with a smile:
"Of course you can, we haven’t left yet because we are waiting for Lord Su’s decision."
"If you are ready to use this opportunity immediately, we can directly take you to the Ascension Platform located in the Main World."
Su Yuan showed a smile and said:
"I need to prepare for one day, please, Immortal Envoys, rest in the Governor’s Mansion for a day and we will set off tomorrow."
The Immortal Envoys readily agreed.
By putting them in the Governor’s Mansion, it completely dashed Mei Qingquan’s hope of reporting.
Seeing off the Immortal Envoys, Su Yuan returned to his official residence.
Tomorrow he was going to ascend to the Upper Realm, so he was not in a hurry to move the official residence. Everything could be decided after Su Yuan returned from the Upper Realm.
Before this, Su Yuan could continue using the residence of the Celestial Patrol Envoy.
Inside the residence, Su Yuan told Chen Nuoyi, Qi Hanyan, and others about his promotion and upcoming ascension tomorrow.
"Senior Su, when you set off tomorrow, I will replace the Immortal Skin Mask with an even better mask to be worn on your face."
"Hehe, this counts as zero-distance contact, making me, a seventeen-year-old high school girl, a bit shy."
An Xingran said, her pretty face blushing.
Su Yuan: "..."
Big sister, could you stop acting!?
All the other girls in the room are looking at me strangely!
Those who know the truth understand you are the founding figure of the entertainment industry! Those who don’t might think I did something to you!