"Your Majesty, when Ye Tianlang was in charge of the Jingye Bureau, everything was peaceful in Capital City. There were no strange cases. Lin Fan has only been in charge for half a year, and so many strange cases have happened. What does this mean?" Gao Zhan asked Huang Ce.
Huang Ce looked at him and answered calmly, "What does it mean?
Does it mean that Lin Fan isn't capable? "
Gao Zhan said, "Lin Fan has solved two major cases in a row. He's capable of handling cases, but his cultivation base isn't enough. He's not qualified for the position of director."
Huang Ce nodded and said, "Yes, you're right. How about this? Gao Zhan will take the position of director, and Lin Fan will be your assistant. What do you think?"
Gao Zhan was embarrassed immediately. He stammered, "No, Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. My ability is on the battlefield, not on demons and ghosts. You know that, Your Majesty …"
"Then, what do you mean?" Huang Ce stared at Gao Zhan.
Gao Zhan said, "Your Majesty, what I mean is that the position of director of the Jingye Bureau is related to the safety of the world. We need someone more powerful to take it."
"Who can take it?" Huang Ce was decisive.
"I have someone to recommend." Gao Zhan clasped his fists together. He was extremely serious.
Huang Ce asked, "Who?"
Gao Zhan said, "The sect leader of Kangzhou's Luotian Sect, Wu Daozi."
As soon as these words were spoken, the civil and military officials immediately began to discuss. Everyone was extremely worried. What he meant was that Daoist Wu was a member of a sect and not a member of the bureaucratic system. Not to mention his ability, just his loyalty alone was questionable.
Huang Ce's eyes flickered. He muttered, "Luotian Sect, Wu Daozi …"
Gao Zhan could not help but frown when he heard the officials' discussion. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, although Wu Daozi is from the sect, his cultivation base is quite high. He's proficient in talisman techniques, and his talisman techniques are powerful. He can defeat all demons and ghosts. Therefore, I think he's qualified. As for his loyalty, I'm willing to guarantee it with the lives of my family …"
As soon as he said that, the officials were shocked, including Huang Ce. One had to be careful with one's words and actions in the imperial court. One could not play with the emperor.
Anyone's words were responsible. Take Gao Zhan for example. Once Daoist Wu's loyalty to the Empire was in question, he would be joking with the lives of his entire family.
The Emperor wanted to protect his honor and the law, so he would never be soft-hearted.
Therefore, to be able to say such words, either Gao Zhan had received benefits from Wu Daozi, or this person was a pig brain.
Huang Ce stared at Gao Zhan, and his pupils constricted. "Gao Zhan, what's your relationship with Wu Daozi?"
Gao Zhan said, "Nothing."
Huang Ce said, "Gao Zhan, what benefits did Wu Daozi give you?"
Hearing this, Gao Zhan was immediately in fear and trepidation. He hurriedly knelt down and said, "There are no benefits at all. Your Majesty, please investigate clearly."
"Alright, then let me ask you. There are so many sects and experts in the world. Why do you only recommend Daoist Wu?"
Gao Zhan said, "I've said before that Wu Daozi's talisman technique is unparalleled in the world, and talisman technique is a deadly magic weapon that can suppress demons and ghosts. I'm doing this for the sake of the country …"
"Alright, I believe you," Huang Ce said, "How about this? Get Daoist Wu to see me …"
"Yes." Gao Zhan clasped his fists and left.
The civil and military officials discussed this endlessly. Some of them advised Huang Ce to think twice. The position of the Jingye Agency's director was important, and he could not change it just like that. After all, Lin Fan had the ability to solve cases.
However, some of them defended Lin Fan while some slandered him. There were a few arson cases in Capital City, but Lin Fan did not show up at the scene of the investigation. He did not even show up to give an explanation until now. His disappearance at this time was the same as Ye Tianlang's disappearance during the Demonic Breath case. He was neglecting his duties.
Therefore, the officials who wanted to defend him had nothing to say at the moment.
Soon, Gao Zhan brought Wu Daozi to the palace to meet the Emperor. Wu Daozi was dressed as a Taoist priest. He wore a blue Taoist robe, and his white hair fluttered. He looked rather sage-like.
He was the Luotian Sect's Sect Leader. He had been in a high position for a long time, so he had developed the aura of a superior. However, he dared not show it in front of Huang Ce. He still knelt and bowed to Huang Ce when they met.
Huang Ce glanced at Wu Daozi and said, "I heard from Gao Zhan that you're powerful in talisman techniques. He wants to recommend you to be the director of the Jingye Agency."
Wu Daozi did not say much. He only clasped his fists solemnly and said, "I'll listen to your decision, Your Majesty."
"Alright, since Lin Fan isn't here, I'll give you a chance to try. There are a few arson cases in Capital City, and the Jingye Agency can't find any clues. If you can investigate them, the Confederation can consider this."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. With me, Wu Daozi, there won't be any more arson cases. However, if they happen again, I'll definitely arrest the culprit." Wu Daozi looked confident.
"I believe you can do it," Huang Ce said.
"The Confederation can give you the authority to handle the case, but you won't be able to mobilize the Jingye Agency's military force."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I, Wu Daozi, don't need a single soldier to arrest the culprit. All I need is a small talisman," Wu Daozi said in a relaxed tone.
Subsequently, Wu Daozi left the palace with Gao Zhan in high spirits. Behind them, two imperial powerhouses followed them quietly. It was a piece of cake for them to follow and monitor them.
On the same day, Lin Fan returned to Capital City to meet the Emperor. Huang Ce summoned him, and the two of them talked in the Emperor's study. After the time it took for half an incense to burn, Lin Fan walked out and left the palace.
There were four imperial powerhouses following behind him.
However, the four imperial powerhouses were not there to follow and monitor them. Instead, they followed Lin Fan to Kangzhou to help with the case.
That night.
When the sky turned dark, the Luotian Sect was surrounded by the Jingye Agency's members. This time, the Jingye Agency's head and the Kangzhou Agency's branch were working together. There were close to 1,000 members surrounding the Luotian Sect tightly.
The Luotian Sect could not react in time at all. The Luotian Sect's Sect Leader, Wu Daozi, was not in the sect. The Luotian Sect had no leader, and no one was in charge. The Luotian Sect's members were at a loss.
The regular disciples had no idea that Wu Daozi was colluding with the culprit. They were puzzled by the Jingye Agency's actions.
In reality, only the Sect Leader, Wu Daozi, and the Deputy Sect Leader, Xiu Luozi, knew about the collusion. Wu Daozi colluded with the Spirit King for no other reason than to cultivate the blood jade.
Wu Daozi used to train his body with blood. Later on, he accidentally obtained a blood jade from Nanjiang. He wanted to forge it into a treasure, but after some research, he realized that the blood jade was extraordinary.
It turned out that the blood jade could absorb human blood to forge itself. It was not completely under his control, and it was rather evil. However, he did not give up on the blood jade and the forging of the blood jade.
Unexpectedly, he made another important discovery one day. He realized that there was a huge secret hidden in the blood jade. There were many powerful cultivation methods, spells, and formations on it.
However, the thousands of spells were sealed in the blood jade. If he wanted to see all of them, he would have to unlock them. In order to unlock these cultivation methods, he would need a huge amount of fresh blood. This meant that he would have to kill without restraint, and he would have to pay the price of many human lives.
As a Sect Leader, it was extremely difficult to do that. Therefore, he colluded with the Spirit King.