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

Chapter 75 The Missing Star Official

Inside Pei Yun's office at the Northern Garrison Command.

The afternoon sun shone through the window, casting slanting rays onto Pei Yun's flying fish robe.

Pei Yun had just seen off his subordinate who had come to report on trivial matters and was about to brew a pot of fresh tea to enjoy a moment of leisure.

The knocking sounded again.

"grown ups!"

Zhang Quan's voice came through, sounding somewhat hurried.

Pei Yun paused, her hand holding the teacup still.

Turning around, he saw Zhang Quan walking quickly towards him, holding a secret letter tightly sealed with blue silk thread.

"What is it?" Pei Yun asked.

Zhang Quan presented the confidential letter.

"My lord, Miss Yunwei from the Imperial Observatory sent this message with the results of her investigation into the array formation at the Jade Garden tea banquet."

"Um?

'

Pei Yun raised an eyebrow and took the secret letter.

The Imperial Observatory was quite efficient.

Untie the silk threads and unfold the pages that carry a faint scent of ink.

The handwriting on the letter was delicate and neat, just like Yun Wei herself—cool and clear-headed.

The secret letter was not lengthy; Yunwei detailed the Imperial Observatory's investigation into the Jade Garden's array formation.

A few words, yet they get straight to the point.

The "Spirit Gathering Array" at the Yuqin Garden Tea Banquet was indeed created by the Imperial Observatory.

But this is precisely where the doubt lies.

According to the regulations of the Immortal Dynasty, any large-scale spirit-gathering formations within the capital city are prohibited.

To prevent any oversights, the astronomical bureau and the celestial dynasty's array formation bureau have always supervised each other and jointly oversaw the creation of the records.

Indispensable.

However, when Yunwei reviewed the relevant files within the Imperial Observatory, she was shocked to discover something.

This time, the "Spirit Gathering Array" in Yuqin Garden was exclusively controlled by the Imperial Observatory.

The records show no trace of the verification seals or signatures of the array formation cultivators.

This is already a serious violation.

When the astronomical official in charge of setting up the formation saw the name at the end of the secret letter, Pei Yun's gaze sharpened slightly.

The person in charge of setting up this formation at the Imperial Observatory was none other than the Star Guardian who mysteriously disappeared in the case of the Joyful Zen Sect!

"interesting."

Pei Yun put down the secret letter and let out a soft laugh.

The missing guardian star, a formation set up by a single individual;

The shocking upheaval at Yuqin Garden, the shadow of the Candle Shadow Sect —

These clues seem unrelated, yet they all subtly point in the same direction.

"This matter is getting more and more interesting."

He had already investigated the case of the Joyful Zen sect and found that it was the work of remnants of the previous dynasty.

The remnants of the previous dynasty also have intricate connections with the elusive Candle Shadow Sect.

The Jade Garden Tea Banquet was personally planned by the Holy Maiden of Candlelight, with her sights set on Princess Yongle.

The one who set up this crucial formation is none other than the astronomical official who should have "disappeared" long ago.

One link leads to another; what appears to be a coincidence is actually a carefully laid trap.

Pei Yun rubbed his temples.

He had a vague feeling that the other party's actions this time were...

Perhaps it relates to the true purpose of the remnants of the previous dynasty and the Holy Maiden of Candlelight, who risked everything to infiltrate the capital.

However, the current clues are too few and too scattered.

Like trying to see flowers through fog, it's ultimately impossible to get a complete picture.

As for the key to breaking the deadlock—

Pei Yun's gaze fell on the three words "Guardian of the Stars" on the secret letter.

Perhaps we should start by investigating this missing official from the Imperial Observatory.

At the end of the secret letter, Yunwei mentioned that she would continue to use the power of the Imperial Observatory to track down the whereabouts of the Star Guardian.

Please also keep a close eye on things, Pei Yun. If you have any clues, please share them with us.

Zhang Quan waited quietly to the side. Seeing Pei Yun remain silent in thought, he asked in a low voice, "Boss, should we send more people to monitor this matter closely?"

Pei Yun raised her eyes, glanced at Zhang Quan, and nodded slightly.

"This matter will be entirely under your responsibility."

"As for manpower, allocate it yourself. If there is a shortage, you can borrow from Commander Zhou or Commander Zhao temporarily."

"Report to me immediately if there are any unusual developments at the Astronomical Bureau, or any news about the Star Guardian."

Zhang Quan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

He understood the meaning behind Pei Yun's words.

It seems that Lord Pei has no intention of personally intervening in this matter.

This is quite different from Pei Yun's usual style of meticulously investigating every detail of the case.

Pei Yun seemed to see through his thoughts, waved his hand, and got up to walk out of the office.

"I have other important matters to attend to."

Pei Yun was heading to Canghuai Academy.

The Great Ying Immortal Dynasty did not exist for very long.

However, the literary style flourished, and the Confucian school grew even more extensively.

Although not as powerful as Taoism and Buddhism, it has a long history and is quite prosperous.

If we were to discuss the foremost Confucian school in the land, it would undoubtedly be the Langya Academy, located in the blessed land of Langya, a hundred miles east of the capital.

The area produced many great scholars and had three thousand disciples, earning it the reputation of being "the literary hub of the world and a model teacher for all ages."

It is a sacred place in the hearts of students all over the world.

His righteous spirit was enough to make ghosts and demons flee, and many of his disciples became pillars of the celestial dynasty.

However, Langya Academy was not the only place in the capital to teach and impart knowledge.

The academies, large and small, are scattered throughout the capital like stars in the sky.

Canghuai Academy is one of them.

Although it was not as prestigious as Langya Academy, it was still quite well-known and had produced a few officials with a decent reputation.

Pei Yun traveled westward, gradually moving away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city center.

The sounds of bustling traffic gradually faded away, replaced by the hustle and bustle of the city. Finally, at the end of a somewhat secluded alley, the carriage stopped in front of a dilapidated courtyard.

The former site of Canghuai Academy.

The red lacquer on the courtyard gate was peeling and it looked like it was about to fall over.

The plaque above the door, which reads "Canghuai Academy," is also covered in dust, and the characters are blurred.

The courtyard walls are dilapidated, overgrown with weeds that reach knee-high, and the once vibrant scene of students reciting their lessons is long gone.

Only a few old locust trees remain, their gnarled branches twisting and turning, standing tall and resilient.

"The sound of reading aloud still echoes in my ears, but now the gate is overgrown with weeds."

Pei Yun stood in front of the door, his expression calm, his heart undisturbed.

According to intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Today, Canghuai Academy has been abandoned for many years and is in a state of disrepair.

The reason he came here was because of that secret letter that had been deliberately erased.

Su Wenruo's birthplace is this Canghuai Academy.

This person completed his studies at the academy and later became an official in the imperial court.

Ultimately, he was accused of "inappropriate speech and offending the palace," and died in despair.

Pei Yun took a deep breath.

Just as he was about to push open the creaking courtyard gate and go inside to find out what was going on.

His gaze swept over the area inadvertently, then paused slightly.

A familiar figure stood to one side of the overgrown courtyard gate.

He wore a simple blue robe and carried an ancient sword on his back.

His Taoist robe was neat and his hair was tied up in a high bun.

Seemingly sensing Pei Yun's arrival, the man slowly turned around.

It turned out to be Li Xuanping, a true disciple of the Xuan Shu Sect of the Tai Su Dao lineage!

Pei Yun raised an eyebrow.

Li Xuanping clearly recognized Pei Yun as well.

He had a deep impression of this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He never expected to meet Pei Yun again in such a desolate and dilapidated place.

Their eyes met, and an indescribable sense of surprise and inquiry filled the air.

"Commander Pei?"

Li Xuanping spoke first, his voice clear and bright, tinged with a hint of doubt.

"Master Li."

Pei Yun nodded slightly, his expression calm.

"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet the Taoist priest here."

Pei Yun's mind raced.

Why would Li Xuanping appear at the long-abandoned Canghuai Academy?

Could it be related to the Su Wenruo case from eighteen years ago?

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