Three punches shattered the demonic soul, young hero, I'm an honest man!

Since Pei Yun solved the Star-Attracting Sand case and his eighth-grade innate cultivation stabilized,

His days at the Northern Garrison Command seemed to have returned to their previous lazy pace.

Regarding the matter of the remnants of the previous dynasty, Luo Qingyi personally issued a gag order.

Very few people know about it; it's a headache for those at a higher level.

As for the clues about the Candle Shadow Sect, Yan Xiu, that old-fashioned man, is leading the investigation. If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.

There's no use rushing things like this.

Pei Yun was still the same Pei Baihu.

He would clock in at work, drink tea, review case files, and occasionally offer Zhang Quan a few pointers.

The updated intelligence was noted down in a small notebook, which startled those who were unaware of the truth.

In the afternoon, I took a short rest under the locust tree in the backyard of the government office, listening to the wind.

Occasionally, I would wander into the imperial prison to see the demonic cultivators being "friendly reformed" by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

When it was time to go off duty, they changed out of their flying fish suits.

In a flash, he transformed back into the playboy Pei, who frequented brothels and red-light districts.

Ask Yunniang to massage my shoulders and listen to some music.

They were living a very comfortable life.

He is now an eighth-grade innate being with a crystal-clear foundation.

With the "Supreme Immortal Manual" at his disposal, his strength steadily increased even with his eyes closed.

However, the bottomless pit of his Dao foundation also caused him headaches due to its resource consumption.

It took him a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Pill to barely break through to the mid-stage of the eighth rank.

What will fill the gaps ahead?

"Money..."

Pei Yun lay on a recliner in the courtyard, squinting in the sun, muttering to himself.

Just as I was pondering how to open source it, Zhang Quan walked in hurriedly.

"My lord, Manager Qin from Baidi Tower has sent another invitation."

"They said they've prepared a small feast and would like to invite you to join them."

Zhang Quan presented the beautifully crafted invitation with both hands.

Pei Yun didn't even lift his eyelids, and lazily waved his hand.

"They replied, saying I've been busy with official duties these past few days and couldn't get away."

Zhang Quan was taken aback, but still bowed and agreed.

"Yes."

Clearly, Qin Yu, who had the backing of the Sihai Chamber of Commerce and an aunt with extensive connections, had sensed the changing winds in the capital.

In the case of Yinxingsha, Pei Yun not only solved the case.

He even subtly outshone his colleagues within the Northern Garrison Command, and even caught the eye of the two garrison commanders, Luo Qingyi and Yan Xiu.

His status rose accordingly!

The significance of this is enough to make someone as shrewd as Qin Yu reassess it.

However, Pei Yun knew exactly what was going on.

This fat Qin wanted to use the Embroidered Uniform Guard to resolve the internal troubles of his Four Seas Chamber of Commerce.

The three-day deadline I gave him has long passed, and I haven't seen him send any "sincerity" at all.

Now that you've gained momentum, you want to talk again?

"No rush."

Pei Yun turned over.

"Leave him hanging, let him raise the price himself."

He's not in a hurry.

The one who should be anxious now is Manager Qin.

The initiative is now in his hands.

This attitude needs to be maintained.

That way, when discussing cooperation in the future, we'll have more say.

I heard your Sihai Chamber of Commerce is very wealthy!

Let me fish it out!

What's the point of being an official if you don't make money?

After dismissing Zhang Quan, Pei Yun took out the token he had seized from the black-robed leader from his pocket.

The token is neither gold nor iron, and feels cool to the touch.

The intricate "ancient intertwined branches" pattern is carved on it, exuding an ancient and solemn atmosphere.

Remnants of the previous dynasty...

These four words carry considerable weight.

He needs to figure out what power this ancient entwined branch represents from the previous dynasty.

And what exactly are these rats in the gutter plotting, getting involved with the Candle Shadow Sect?

As for the Supreme Immortal Chapter, Luo Qingyi said it was obtained from an ancient secret realm, so it should also be investigated.

Pei Yun got up, dusted himself off, and decided to go somewhere.

Northern Garrison Command, Secret Treasury.

This place houses countless confidential files accumulated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard over the years, and is heavily guarded.

The old guard in charge of protecting the secret vault was a veteran who had worked in the Embroidered Uniform Guard his entire life.

It is said that he was a hero in his youth.

Now all that remains are a pair of cloudy eyes that occasionally gleam with a sharp light, and he spends his days rubbing a copper coin.

Upon seeing Pei Yun, the old shopkeeper didn't even lift his eyelids.

"What files does Commander Pei want to check?"

"The more detailed the accounts of the previous dynasty, the better."

Pei Yun placed the token on the table.

"Also, investigate the origin of this symbol."

The old stall owner picked up the token, examined it closely under the oil lamp, and then put it back.

He slowly stood up, walked to the rows of towering bookshelves, and hunched over to search through them.

After a while, he only brought back a thin booklet.

"Commander Pei, the files concerning the previous dynasty are all here."

Pei Yun frowned; this booklet was far too thin.

"What about the others?"

The old man chuckled, revealing his gums with only a few teeth left.

"The rest are all in the 'Top-Tier' secret vault."

"That's top secret. You need a warrant from the Garrison Commander or someone in the palace to get in."

The old shopkeeper pointed to the top of his head.

"Your waist badge as a centurion is not qualified."

Pei Yun frowned.

The archives of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were strictly hierarchical.

The matter concerning the remnants of the previous dynasty was clearly classified as top secret.

Even a hundred or a thousand households are not enough authority; a pacification commissioner is required.

It seems the waters of the previous dynasty run deeper than he imagined.

As for the "Supreme Immortal Chapter," not even a trace of it could be found.

If the Embroidered Uniform Guard can't find it, then we'll have to find another place.

Pei Yun remembered the temporary reading permit that Yun Wei had given him.

The Imperial Observatory, the Star-Gazing Pavilion.

It is said that the place holds all the secrets of Taoist magic in the world; perhaps you will find something there.

……

The next day, Pei Yun took the temporary reading pass given to him by Yun Wei and went to the Imperial Observatory.

Unlike the solemn and murderous Jinyiwei, the Sitianjian (Imperial Observatory) possessed a unique, ethereal, and otherworldly aura.

Pavilions and towers are built against the mountain.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, the movement of the sundial can be faintly seen.

Occasionally, a sorcerer dressed in a star-patterned robe would hurry by, his expression solemn.

Pei Yun handed over the reading token, and after verifying his identity, he was led by a young Taoist boy towards the Star Gazing Pavilion.

As I passed by a pavilion called "Yuheng Tower", I heard some conversations coming from inside.

"...The deviation of the star orbits and the increasingly obvious signs of the dimming of the Purple Star are undeniable. Where exactly does the variable lie?"

A slightly impatient voice rang out.

"Junior brother, please be patient. The secrets of heaven are obscure and cannot be discerned overnight."

Another, gentler voice advised.

Pei Yun paused slightly, sensing a familiar voice.

I looked up.

By the window of the pavilion, Yunwei was arguing with two men dressed in the robes of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau officials over a huge star map.

The other had a square face and a furrowed brow.

His robes were impeccably tailored, as if they had been measured with a ruler.

The other one had slightly gray hair and beard, but his eyes were as clear as a young man's, and he had a calm demeanor.

"Senior brother, the Purple Star is dimming, and the Fire Star is shifting westward—this is a clear warning!"

Yun Wei frowned slightly and pointed to a certain spot on the star map.

"Why, after several days of analysis, are we still unable to find the key point that will 'meet the calamity'?"

The senior brother with the square face said in a deep voice, "The star orbits are disordered and the secrets of heaven are disturbed. It is not that we have not tried our best, but that there are too many variables."

The white-haired senior brother stared at the counting rods in his hand.

"After several days of analysis, we still couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the demonic star, let alone predict its movements; everything about it seemed strange."

Yunwei looked at the star map with a worried expression.

"Senior brother, could it be that our deduction approach is wrong?"

"impossible!"

The senior brother with the square face said decisively.

"The movement of celestial orbits has its own logic; how can it be arbitrarily altered?"

"But if we follow the usual logic, why are we encountering obstacles everywhere?" Yunwei questioned.

The three of them sat around the star map, and their discussion reached a stalemate.

Pei Yun happened to be walking to the door, overheard a few things, and paused.

He casually leaned against the door frame and interjected a remark.

"Hey you three, aren't you getting a little too fixated on that 'demon star'?"