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

The two traveled among the flowing ancient books and stars, with the surrounding light and shadows changing.

As Pei Yun walked, he looked at the floating ancient scrolls.

Some jade slips gleamed brightly, while others, made of animal hide, were dull and covered in thick dust.

Soon, the light of the star-guiding symbol settled on a relatively dim area.

The books here are mostly tattered bamboo slips and yellowed ancient books.

It was slowly rotating around a huge tortoise shell, exuding an aura of antiquity.

"This is the area where the events of the previous dynasty are recorded," Yunwei explained.

"However, the previous dynasty has been overthrown for a long time, and many records have been lost or are unclear."

Pei Yun was not disappointed, because there were far more records preserved here than in the Northern Garrison Command.

Pei Yun drew in a few points of starlight.

My mind sank in, and information flooded into my head.

As Pei Yun slowly perused the information, he noticed something amiss.

Records about previous dynasties, especially those involving core power struggles and secret successions.

The handwriting is blurry, the language is vague, and the key points are often abruptly ended.

It seems that much has been deliberately erased?

It is unusual that the Imperial Observatory's library would have such obvious signs of deletion and alteration.

"It seems the waters of the previous dynasty are deeper than I imagined," Pei Yun muttered.

"In the final years of the previous dynasty, frequent wars and turmoil often resulted in severe damage to historical records, which was a common occurrence."

Yunwei explained softly.

But she was very clever and naturally noticed that something was wrong.

Pei Yun remained noncommittal and continued searching.

With his exceptional eyesight and patience, as well as his keen intuition honed from countless intelligence reports.

Pei Yun finally found scattered records about the "ancient intertwined branches" symbol in a damaged volume of "Records of the Imperial Clan".

"Found it."

Pei Yun pointed to a blurry pattern on the ancient scroll.

Yunwei leaned closer to examine it closely. Although the pattern was different from the "ancient intertwined branches" that Pei Yun had described earlier, it was roughly similar.

The Xiao clan of Yongning bears the emblem of "ancient tree with intertwined branches," a design that is simple yet profound.

The Xiao family were loyal followers of the founding emperor of the Great Yin Dynasty, whose positions were hereditary and enjoyed unparalleled favor.

[Their clan seems to possess a secret lineage, capable of communication... The Emperor suspected... During the reign of the last Emperor, the Xiao clan...]

Too much key information is missing, making it like trying to see flowers through a fog.

However, the information available is enough for Pei Yun to gain something.

"The Xiao family of Yongning?"

Pei Yun stroked his chin.

"A prominent family with close ties to the previous dynasty and unparalleled favor..."

The Great Yin Dynasty has been destroyed for many years, and the royal family has disappeared without a trace.

But this Yongning Xiao family is not dead and still able to reappear and stir up trouble?

Pei Yun narrowed his eyes, sensing something was amiss.

As for the "secret transmission" mentioned in the records...

With so much missing, Pei Yun could not fill in the missing information and could only make a note of it for the time being.

"Check this as well."

Pei Yun composed himself and infused the aura of the Supreme Immortal Chapter into the Star-Guiding Talisman.

This time, Xinghe's reaction was far less than before.

Only a few faint rays of light were drawn towards it.

Moreover, it was extremely dim, as if it might go out at any moment.

Pei Yun leaned closer, trying to sense the faint starlight.

The information is pitifully scarce.

Only one name was mentioned—

【Longevity Palace】.

It seems to be the name of an extremely ancient and orthodox sect of Taoism, and is related to the "Supreme Immortal Chapter".

Apart from that, there was no other valid information.

The cultivation technique's rank, characteristics, origin, and lineage are all completely blank.

"Commander Pei, the 'Supreme Immortal Chapter' you've investigated is probably of extraordinary origin." Yun Wei's expression was solemn.

The clues are even scarcer than those of the Xiao family of the previous dynasty; it's as if they never existed.

"The Palace of Immortality..."

Pei Yun silently recited the name, memorizing it.

Yunwei stood to the side, her heart already churning with emotion.

First, there's the "Ancient Entwined Branches," which involves secrets from the previous dynasty.

Now it is the mysterious and unpredictable "Supreme Immortal Chapter" and "Longevity Palace" that are almost never recorded even in the Hidden Star Pavilion.

Just how many secrets does Pei Yun hold?

Where did he learn these things?

She suddenly remembered Senior Brother Qi's previous comments and reminders, and her gaze towards Pei Yun became even more complicated.

"Well, at least I learned about the names 'Yongning Xiao Clan' and 'Longevity Dharma Palace' today, so this trip was not in vain."

Pei Yun, however, did not seem disappointed. Instead, he smiled and dusted off his hands.

At least we know that the [Ancient Entwined Branch] represents the Yongning Xiao Clan of the previous dynasty, and that the [Longevity Palace] may be related to the "Supreme Immortal Chapter".

This gave us two vague directions for the investigation.

He turned to look at Yun Wei, his eyes filled with his usual smile.

"Thank you for your help today, Miss Yunwei. Please keep the information you found confidential."

"That's natural." Yunwei nodded solemnly.

"The Hidden Star Pavilion has its own rules, and no third party will ever know about what happened today."

Pei Yun nodded in satisfaction.

Yun Wei paused, then couldn't help but remind her,

"However, the matter you are investigating is quite complex."

"Whether it's the remnants of the previous dynasty or the mysterious 'Supreme Immortal Chapter,' neither are ordinary troubles. Commander Pei, you should... take care of yourself."

Is this advice from the astrologer?

Pei Yun smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

trouble?

His biggest problem right now is the Holy Maiden of Candlelight, whose whereabouts are unknown, and his Glazed Foundation, which requires a massive amount of resources to fill.

Everything else will have to wait.

"Thank you for reminding me, Miss."

After Pei Yun finished speaking, he turned around and walked out of the Hidden Star Pavilion.

……

Beijing.

Sihai Chamber of Commerce

In the luxurious inner chamber, built with money, a woman reclines on a soft couch covered with a fox fur coat.

She was in her late twenties, tall and graceful.

She wore a bright red palace dress, the hem of which spread out like flowing flames.

She was exceptionally beautiful, yet her eyes and brows exuded a compelling and assertive aura.

They seem to be born to give orders.

A phoenix feather hairpin carved from blood jade was inserted diagonally into her jet-black hair bun.

The hairpin's tail trembled slightly, as if a phoenix's cry was about to escape.

Qin Lanfei is the head of the Sihai Chamber of Commerce.

At this moment, her captivating phoenix eyes were filled with frost.

Her jade-like fingers gently tapped a smooth, warm white jade abacus.

It makes a crisp yet cold "tap-tap" sound.

In front of the abacus, a plump young man in brocade robes stood with his head bowed and eyes lowered, not daring to breathe loudly.

It was none other than Manager Qin, Qin Yu, who had been showing off his power at Baidi Tower not long ago.

"You've grown?"

Qin Lanfei's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"I told you to check the accounts, and what did you do? You went straight to someone's daughter's bed!"

"Do you think that just because you have me, your aunt, backing you up, you can do whatever you want?"

Qin Yu lowered his head even further, his obese body trembling slightly, but he muttered to himself:

"I did go to check the accounts, that's true. After I finished, they invited me for drinks, and after we drank, they pushed my daughter into my arms..."

"If I could still tolerate this, would I even be human?"

Qin Lanfei's gaze turned cold.

"You've grown bold, haven't you? You dare talk back now?"

Qin Yu trembled and hurriedly begged for forgiveness: "Auntie, I was wrong, I will never dare to do it again..."

He was a powerful figure outside, and he could beat up people like the son of a vice minister without hesitation.

But in front of his own aunt, he's just a grandson who gets scolded.

"You dare not?"

Qin Lanfei sneered, glancing at him sideways with her phoenix eyes.

"I think you're incredibly audacious!"

"I sent you to Jiangnan to oversee the accounts of the Grand Canal transport, and instead, you sneaked back to the capital to fool around!"

"Practice makes no progress; business ventures fail!"

"All he does is hang out with women all day long!"

"How could my Qin family have produced such a troublesome brat like you!"

Qin Lanfei was born in Jiangnan, and her speech carried a soft, gentle tone reminiscent of the Jiangnan water towns.

But beneath his imposing presence, his words were like shards of ice.