Chapter 468: Chapter 236: Zhang Fan’s Warning! The Terror of Three Corpses Illuminating Fate

The next morning, at dawn.

Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

In the courtyard, a group of staff were moving boxes upon boxes of files onto the vehicles, each sealed with an official stamp.

These were all dossiers and materials connected to the cases of Meng Qinghuan and Hua Yanqiu’s murders, all to be archived and transported back to the Daoist Alliance Headquarters in Shangjing City.

"We’re leaving today—what an utterly humiliating trip," Ji Haisan stood at the office window on the second floor, watching the busy crowd in the courtyard, a glacial chill flickering across his face.

This trip had been more than humiliating; it was simply a matter of losing troops and generals, with gains far from matching the losses.

They’d thought the death of Meng Qinghuan would bait a big fish, enabling a thorough purge of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Sect. Who would have expected, not only did Hua Yanqiu lose her life, but even the esteemed Vice Observatory Master, Huo Dharma King of the White Crane Temple, was now missing—his fate unknown, not a trace to be found.

Under such circumstances, to recall the investigation team—how could anyone comprehend the decision from above?

"What’s so hard to understand?" Song Yunqi’s face showed not the slightest ripple of emotion.

The waters of Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance ran deeper than the higher-ups imagined, clearly beyond their capacity to settle; to linger would be to end up like Hua Yanqiu.

In the past, a thunderous, iron-fisted approach—a destruction to rebuild—might have worked.

But now, at this very time, Zhenwu Mountain had announced to the world that on the second day of the second lunar month next year, that living Zhenren, the Optimus Prime of the Daoist Sect, would be holding a ceremony to take disciples.

Before that, stability above all else was the highest priority.

Jiangnan must not fall into chaos.

The Daoist world must not fall into chaos.

"The autumn wind does not chill the fearful heart, come next year, the winds will rise and mourn the ancient woods," Song Yunqi’s gaze was sharp as a thread, his tone calm.

"This matter will not simply be left at that."

Both Meng Qinghuan and Hua Yanqiu were members of the Divine Power Association, endowed with Celestial Gifted Divine Techniques, one in a million talents.

These were heaven’s chosen prodigies, never to be compared to mere mortals. The fall of any one was a loss the Daoist Alliance could scarcely endure, let alone that Hua Yanqiu was a disciple of White Crane Temple, Song Yunqi’s junior sister.

Were this the ancient times, and the Daoist Sect likened to an imperial dynasty, then White Crane Temple held true power; Hua Yanqiu would be akin to a royal kinswoman—her life and death a matter to send heads rolling and clans exterminated.

"That Zhang Fan is most assuredly hiding something," Song Yunqi’s expression betrayed nothing, but he had gone through every detail in the files and finally seized on the heart of the problem.

When Meng Qinghuan died, Zhang Fan was present.

And Hua Yanqiu, too, met with her accident while searching outside for Zhang Fan.

How could there be such coincidences in this world?

"Three Corpses Daoist once said..." Song Yunqi intoned heavily.

"Be cautious with your words," Ji Haisan’s brow twitched, his gaze cutting to Song Yunqi with deep meaning.

"As some ancient sage said: There are no coincidences in this world; every fate aligns for a reason..." Song Yunqi changed his words. "I simply do not believe in coincidence."

"No use talking further. We’re to depart today," Ji Haisan said coolly.

As investigators, they were bound by discipline.

"But we haven’t left yet, have we?" Song Yunqi sneered faintly.

"I do intend to see just how capable this Zhang Fan is—whether he’s worth his weight on the scales."

"You mean..." Ji Haisan’s brow furrowed; he could not resist commenting, "That may break the rules—this is still Jiangnan Province."

"My means leave not a single mark; none shall perceive what passes," Song Yunqi spoke with utter confidence in his own cultivation.

He was, after all, of the Mahayana Realm, wielding Divine Techniques; if he were to return empty-handed from Jiangnan Province, how could he not feel suppressed and stifled?

"Very well. If you can make him confess here, we’ll take him directly back to Shangjing City," said Ji Haisan, naturally hoping at the last moment to extract valuable information from Zhang Fan.

"He’s here."

At that moment, Song Yunqi’s eyes narrowed. At the main gate, Zhang Fan walked in with Fang Changle at his side.

Sui Chunsheng went out to greet them.

"You certainly arrived early," Sui Chunsheng greeted, leaning in to whisper in Zhang Fan’s ear, "The people from the Divine Power Association are already waiting upstairs."

"Didn’t I already give and sign my previous statement?" Zhang Fan whispered, unable to restrain himself.

"We’re about to leave—you know how it is. All the files need sealing, and they want to confirm a few more details with you," Sui Chunsheng replied blandly.

He, too, found it somewhat excessive, but with higher authorities running the show, there was little else to say.

"Let’s go," Zhang Fan did not resist; only by seeing these people off could he truly be at ease.

Upon entering the office, Zhang Fan saw two men rise to greet him—their auras restrained, eyes hiding divine light; though silent, there was an ineffable, mysterious atmosphere about them.

"Experts."

With just a glance, Zhang Fan determined that these were surely experts sent by the Divine Power Association, each carrying Celestial Gifted Divine Techniques.

If Lord of the Red Palace, Ming Shenshou, were present, seeing these two, he would likely be drooling with desire.

"These are Daoist friends from the Divine Power Association investigation team—Song Yunqi and Ji Haisan."

"And this is Zhang Fan."

Sui Chunsheng introduced both sides.

Ji Haisan merely swept his eyes over Zhang Fan—cool, inscrutable, and remained silent.

But as for Song Yunqi, instead of offering the customary Daoist bow, he simply reached out his hand in a show of friendly greeting.

"A pleasure to meet you."

"Hello."

Zhang Fan nodded and reflexively extended his hand to shake.

Hummm—

A cool breeze swept through, swaying the curtains.

In an instant, Zhang Fan’s eyes flashed with light, and before him, he witnessed a dazzling radiance slowly rising, like the rising of the morning sun, burning brilliant and fierce—beams that pierced the eyes so none could see the heavens beyond.

"Primordial Divine Light!?" Realization dawned in Zhang Fan’s heart.

This Song Yunqi was of the Great Master Realm—his Primordial Spirit birthing divine light, divining the miraculous in minutiae. In a way both unperceived and inevitable, he was, in this very moment, probing and observing Zhang Fan’s heart and soul.