Holy Bone

Chapter 2001 Young Master Yiyun, Investigating the Immortal Cauldron, Following the Yi Prince's Mansion

"Marquis Shenwu".

As they exited the main hall, the new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban called out to Jin An.

Jin An turned around and saw that it was the new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban calling him. He sneered and said, "New Grand Preceptor, what brings you here?"

"If there's nothing too urgent, I'll head back to the Criminal Investigation Department first. Since the new Grand Preceptor mentioned the tunnels and ditches, I'll naturally send more people to keep a close watch on these places."

"The Marquis of Shenwu is wholeheartedly devoted to His Majesty. His Majesty will surely be overjoyed to know this."

"Well said. The proper order between ruler and subject is the greatest manifestation of the prosperity and strength of Kangding for thousands of years."

"With the assistance of a third-realm Nascent Soul expert, Your Majesty has gained another fierce general among your thousands of talented generals."

Those courtiers who followed the new Grand Tutor Yuan Yiban spoke one after another, praising the emperor's divine might as they described it.

They all praised Emperor Kangzhao to show their loyalty and hoped to gain his attention and be given important positions.

At the same time, it also enhances the prestige of the new Grand Preceptor, since it was the new Grand Preceptor who proposed this, so when it comes to calculating credit later, wouldn't the credit be half of what the new Grand Preceptor Yuan did?

The new Imperial Advisor Yuan Yi said with a smile, "It seems that Marquis Shenwu is a very busy man. I'm assigning you a new task this time. I hope it won't cause any inconvenience or impact on the Criminal Investigation Department."

Jin An glanced at the new Grand Preceptor and chuckled, "If the new Grand Preceptor really feels bad about it, why not lend me some men to help my brothers in the Criminal Investigation Department guard those tunnels and ditches? That would be a perfect solution."

The new Imperial Advisor, Yuan Yiban, adopted a pained and distressed expression, saying, "As Marquis Shenwu knows, His Majesty has many things on my plate for this ancestral worship ceremony. I have to prepare for all the events, safeguard the Zulong Mountain, and rehearse all the procedures in advance..."

"I do wish to help Marquis Shenwu, but I am truly unable to do so; my heart is willing, but my strength is insufficient."

Jin An nodded and said, "The new Grand Preceptor is the true loyal minister who cares about the country and its people, while you are the one who is favored by His Majesty. I will not compare myself to you. I am content to be just an ordinary Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department."

"I wish the new national advisor great success in advance, hazy and confused."

"Confused?" The new national advisor, Yuan Yiban, looked at Jin An with a puzzled expression.

Jin An laughed and said, "New Grand Preceptor, don't take it too seriously. In my hometown of Wuzhou Prefecture, '恍恍惚惚' is the same as '恍恍惚惚'."

After Jin An finished speaking, he gave the new national advisor Yuan Yiban a knowing smile.

"Oh, is it so?"

The new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban knew that such idle talk was meaningless, so he skipped it and said, "I had a very pleasant conversation with Marquis Shenwu today. If Marquis Shenwu has time in the future, you are welcome to visit my Grand Preceptor's residence. I will definitely treat you like a distinguished guest and serve you the best wine and food, hahaha."

The new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban's words were originally just a polite remark, and he intended to leave after saying them. However, Jin An suddenly said at this moment, "Oh, you seem to be having a very pleasant conversation. I wonder how happy the new Grand Preceptor is?"

"?"

The new Grand Tutor and the other ministers all looked at Jin An with blank expressions.

Jin An seemed oblivious to all this, and continued with an expectant look, "Why don't you, the new Grand Preceptor, show everyone how happy you are?"

"Otherwise, none of us would know just how much fun you, the new Grand Tutor, really have."

"You're right, aren't you, new imperial advisor?"

After Jin An finished speaking, he chuckled and looked at the new Grand Tutor Yuan Yiban with an expectant expression that didn't seem feigned.

This has really caught the new national advisor Yuan Yiban off guard. I was just being polite with you. We'll all forget about it after we've talked about it today. Who would take it seriously? But why did you take it so seriously?

The new Grand Preceptor's expression was slightly embarrassed and somber. He did not speak immediately. Among the officials from various factions nearby, one of them, with his keen eyes, noticed that the Grand Preceptor seemed somewhat displeased. He quickly jumped out and said to Jin An in a serious tone, "Marquis Shenwu, you are the Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department. How can you speak so rudely and disrespectfully? What kind of behavior is this?"

"You should adopt the upright and incorruptible demeanor befitting your position as the Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department. Go back and temper your character, lest you continue to speak so inappropriately in the future, disgracing the court and the Kangding Kingdom."

One person stood up and criticized Jin An, and the other officials also realized what was happening. They then joined in, subtly criticizing and blaming Jin An.

“Marquis Shenwu, you really shouldn’t have spoken such childish words today. It’s really hard to look at you directly.”

"Marquis Shenwu, you should apologize to the Grand Preceptor today. Your words just now were somewhat abrupt."

“Marquis Shenwu, how could you speak like that… sigh.”

Faced with the veiled sarcasm and reproaches from his ministers, Jin An remained calm throughout, showing neither anger nor remorse. After the ministers had finished speaking, he said to the new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban, "New Grand Preceptor, you haven't yet shown how well you've had a pleasant conversation. I'm genuinely curious about what constitutes a pleasant conversation. In the future, when I see the new Grand Preceptor, you should also show the appropriate expression of a pleasant conversation, shouldn't you?"

"Why don't you, the new Grand Preceptor, take the lead today and set an example for us, so that we can see what it means to have a pleasant conversation, hehe."

Jin An did not show any hostility or hatred. Instead, he had a warm smile on his face, giving people a gentle feeling, as if he was not joking but genuinely asking what it meant to have a pleasant conversation.

"Marquis Shenwu, you..." The ministers were enraged and wanted to save face for the new national advisor, Yuan Yiban.

However, before they could finish speaking, the new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban raised his hand to stop them. After the surrounding area was quiet, the new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban stared at Jin An for a while, and then he laughed loudly: "Marquis Shenwu, I have grown quite fond of you."

"Haha, I have important matters to attend to today, so I will be leaving now. I look forward to your visit to my residence in the future. I will take my leave now, Marquis Shenwu."

After saying that, the new national advisor Yuan Yiban turned and left.

But the voice of Jin An kept fading into the distance behind them...

"Is this what they mean by 'the new imperial advisor is having a pleasant conversation'...?"

"The new Imperial Advisor..."

"The new Imperial Advisor..."

"Hey, why did you suddenly stop talking..."

"Very well, I will definitely visit you, the new Imperial Advisor, another day..."

Jin An waited until he could no longer see the new Grand Preceptor Yuan Yiban and his entourage before his smile vanished, replaced by a cold sneer.

Jin An gave a cold laugh on the spot, then gathered a few ministers he was on good terms with and left, chatting and laughing.

Outside the palace.

As soon as Jin'an left the palace, he arrived at the Bi'an carriage. Li Pangzi, who was temporarily acting as the coachman today, asked curiously, "Daoist Jin'an, did you finish driving this morning?"

After Jin An got into the carriage, he grunted in response.

Call——

shelf--

Fatty Li began driving the Bixie carriage toward the Criminal Investigation Department. On the way, he began to ask Jin An curiously what had happened that morning.
So, Jin'an briefly discussed the ancestral worship ceremony and the new national advisor's order to guard the tunnels and ditches. Hearing the discussion about the ancestral worship ceremony this morning, Fatty Li looked up at the already bright sun in the sky and sighed, "Time flies, the ancestral worship ceremony is almost here."

"Master Jin'an, why did the new Imperial Preceptor suddenly bring up the tunnels and ditches? Logically speaking, these things are not within his scope of responsibility, and he shouldn't be involved."

Inside the carriage, Jin An's voice came through, saying, "Yuan Yiban said that his Imperial Preceptor's Mansion recently suffered a financial theft, and the thieves and stolen goods were eventually found in the underground ditches. So he told us to be more vigilant to prevent any shady characters from hiding in the underground ditches, which could potentially disrupt the ancestral worship ceremony."

Fatty Li muttered, "This Yuan Yiban is quite meddlesome."

"...But this doesn't make sense. Master Jin'an, didn't you already send people to guard those tunnels and ditches? Why is Yuan Yiban suddenly bringing this up again?"

Inside the carriage, Jin An rested his head on the window, looking through the curtain at the endless stream of people and bustling vendors along the street, and said, "I don't know."

"Fatty Li, to avoid some unnecessary trouble, make arrangements for the brothers to work harder and keep a closer eye on those tunnels and ditches."

Outside the Bixie carriage, Fatty Li nodded and said, "Yes, Daoist Jin'an, don't worry, I know what to do."

"Okay." Jin An nodded, then lowered the carriage curtain, and rode in the Bi'an carriage straight to the Criminal Investigation Department.

Many experts were present at this morning court session, especially the new national advisor Yuan Yiban, who had already reached the fourth realm. Therefore, Jin An attended the morning court session in his true form.

To prevent the lead and mercury-containing sacred embryo from appearing at the morning court and being caught red-handed.

Once he arrives at the Criminal Investigation Department, after leaving behind the Lead and Mercury Holy Embryo clone, his true self will leave and return to the Five Organs Taoist Temple to cultivate again.

However, as soon as Jin An arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department, someone approached him and reported, "Commander, there's been a new development at the Prince Zunyi's residence. Young Master Yiyun has returned to the Prince Zunyi's residence."

"You told us to keep an eye on Prince Zunyi's residence and inform you immediately if we say that Young Master Yiyun has returned."

Huh?
Jin An exclaimed in surprise.

Then he burst out laughing.

His mood, which had been affected by the new Grand Tutor Yuan Yiban during the morning court session, immediately vanished. All he could think about was going to Prince Zunyi's residence as soon as possible to find Young Master Yiyun and ask if there was any answer to whether Young Master Yiyun had sent a fleet to overseas foreign lands to search for the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things, and whether the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things had been found.

He had only seen this Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry in the underworld.

I've never seen one in the mortal realm.

Naturally, they were incredibly curious about this thing.

After all, this involves many things.

The entire Shenzhou fleet, which had been involved for over a decade, perished except for the Empress.

It involves the inside story of the queen's cannibalistic tendencies.

It involves the mystery of the wrongful death of Emperor Kang Heng and his family, who were involved in a dispute more than ten years ago.

It involves many details of the dramatic changes that occurred more than a decade ago.

Royal upheaval, the death of the late emperor, successive sorceresses, cannibalism, the unsolved Shenzhou mystery, the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry… More than a decade later, it also involves bone-collecting and cannibalism, the collapse of Ghost Moth Mountain, and tomb raiders on Flying Crane Mountain…

This Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things, capable of storing grain for decades without spoiling and saving the people of a nation, is far too important to him, and has been on his mind for far too long. He desperately wants to know if Young Master Yiyun has found the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things.

If he has found it, he will definitely study it carefully to find out what kind of strange object this cauldron is that can make so many people in the world go to such lengths for it.

Subsequently, Jin An ordered Fatty Li to rush to the Prince Zunyi's residence without stopping.

He couldn't wait to see Young Master Yiyun and the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry.

……

When Jin An arrived at the Zunyi Prince's Mansion, it was already half an hour later. The streets were bustling with people in the morning, and the carriage took a little time to travel, plus the Zunyi Prince's Mansion was a bit far from the Criminal Investigation Department.

As soon as the Bixie carriage stopped at the Zunyi Prince's Mansion, a sharp-eyed servant immediately informed the mansion of the situation.

So when Jin An stepped down from the Bi'an carriage, the steward of the Zunyi Prince's Mansion was already standing at the door, greeting Jin An with a smile.

"Lord Shenwu, you are a well-known busy man in the capital. Your presence at the Zunyi Prince's Mansion today is a great honor and makes the mansion famous far and wide."

"Lord Shenwu, please come in quickly, please come in quickly. I have already sent someone to fetch the master."

The butler said with a smile.

Jin An clasped his hands in a fist and laughed, saying, "I am truly sorry to have disturbed the Zunyi Prince's residence today. I have a small matter that I need to consult with your young lady."

Upon hearing this, the steward asked in surprise, "Does Marquis Shenwu have something urgent to discuss with my young lady?"

"To be honest, my young lady just left the manor. I immediately sent someone to look for her and told them that Lord Shenwu has come to visit the Zunyi Prince's manor."

This time, Jin An was slightly surprised and asked, "Has your young lady gone out?"

"Did she say where she was going? I have a carriage, which would make things easier for me. I can just take the carriage to find her."

The butler said with a wry smile, "Miss didn't say anything before she left, so I can only send someone to find her and ask her to come back."

Jin An said, "Is that so? Then this is troublesome and inconvenient."

The steward smiled and said, "Lord Shenwu is too kind. You are a close acquaintance of Miss and a distinguished guest of my Zunyi Prince's Mansion. Your visit to Zunyi Prince's Mansion is an honor. No trouble at all, no trouble at all, hahaha."

The two walked and talked until they arrived at the main hall of Prince Zunyi's mansion. On the way, the steward had already sent someone to find Young Master Yiyun.

Upon arriving at the main hall, the steward immediately arranged for tea and pastries to be served, treating Jin'an with great hospitality.

After taking a sip of tea, Jin An looked around curiously and asked, "Is Prince Zunyi not in the residence today?"

The steward replied, "Lord Shenwu, Prince Zunyi has been guarding the tomb at Feihe Mountain these past few days. Prince Zunyi may not be able to come and will not be able to see you, Lord Shenwu. We hope you will understand."

Jin An laughed and said, "The filial piety of Prince Zunyi is renowned far and wide, and is evident to all. It is not surprising that Prince Zunyi is guarding the tomb at Feihe Mountain."

The steward said with tears of gratitude, "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Shenwu. No wonder Miss is so familiar with you, because Lord Shenwu is a good man."

“This old servant has served Prince Zunyi for so many years and has seen many people, from all walks of life, civil and military officials. This old servant’s eye for people is never wrong. Lord Shenwu, you are truly a great person.”

As the butler spoke, he gave a thumbs-up and praised the man highly.

Jin An, on the contrary, felt a little embarrassed by the praise and smiled modestly.

"Lord Shenwu, the Holy Emperor's ancestral worship ceremony is about to begin, isn't it? Has the Criminal Investigation Department been very busy lately?" the steward inquired about matters of state.