Chapter 105: Shadows of Divine Intrigue

Li Che held his rising Uncle back, insisting he keep drinking.

Uncle, swaying unsteadily, did not refuse; he plopped back into his chair and resumed drinking with Old Chen.

Li Che walked to the courtyard door, his expression growing cool and somber as his brows furrowed.

Creak.

The door swung open to reveal two figures in official attire.

Their uniforms, a striking blend of black and red embroidered with red cloud patterns, were impeccably cut, with a golden character “Guard” emblazoned on the chest.

The robes of the Temple Guardian Division’s officials!

Li Che’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the visitors as the divine agents of the Temple Guardian Division—after all, their distinctive robes were known to everyone in Jingguang City.

“You are Li Che?”

After opening the door, both agents fixed their scrutinizing gazes on him.

An overwhelming divine aura, barely perceptible yet undeniably potent, exuded authority that sent shivers down anyone’s spine.

Clearly, this was a divine secret technique unique to the Temple Guardian Division agents.

Although their imposing aura meant nothing to Li Che—it passed over him like a gentle breeze.

Still, Li Che took a deep breath, his expression shifting as he clasped his fists and said, “Greetings, officers.”

The Temple Guardian Division, as the armed wing of the Great Jing Court (akin to the infamous Six Doors), might primarily handle Bizarre Temple matters—but they always meddled in anything with divine implication.

The agents had come to his home, causing Li Che’s eyes to narrow.

Did they arrive so quickly?

That shouldn’t be. When he killed Qin Yuqing, he left no evidence—and Qin Yuqing’s undercover informant had even provided him with an alibi.

It couldn’t possibly be exposed this swiftly.

The lead agent narrowed his eyes, raising a Temple Guardian Division identity token as he said coolly, “Come with us; the chief officer has some questions for you.”

“Chief officer?” Li Che’s heart sank slightly.

In the Imperial Watch, a chief officer is essentially equivalent to a junior supervisor.

Why would someone of that rank suddenly have reason to interrogate him?

Could they suspect his involvement in Qin Yuqing’s death?

Li Che furrowed his brow, glanced at the courtyard, and then followed the two agents into a dark alley.

He produced two Gold Leaf coins and handed them to the agents.

“Which chief officer wishes to interrogate me?”

But the two agents smirked ambiguously, “Bribing Temple Guardian Division agents is a serious offense. If we accept your bribe and get caught, you’ll be whipped.”

At that, Li Che immediately understood.

It meant he needed to pay more.

So he produced ten more Gold Leaf coins and handed them over.

This time, the agents didn’t refuse—they simply pocketed the coins. Clearly, the money was finally sufficient.

“You needn’t worry. Chief Officer Zhang Lianhao only sent us to bring you in for some questions. Have you heard? Qin Yuqing—the third Miss of the Qin Family—met a tragic death at her home.”

“And in our investigation, we learned that before her death, the Qin Family’s third miss covertly detained several cultivators from Feilei City.”

“Hence, every cultivator from Feilei City is to be brought in for questioning, and as for the chief officer who specifically summoned you, we have no idea.”

In front of Li Che, the two agents deftly split the twelve Gold Leaf coins and smiled as they spoke.

They were particularly satisfied with Li Che’s competence and attitude.

Even though it was late and their moods were sour, pocketing some Gold Leaf and earning a bit extra for the run wasn’t bad at all.

“Although you practice Blood Exchange, it appears you have nothing to do with Qin Yuqing’s death. Rumor has it she was a True Qi Grandmaster and a cultivator with a perfected Divine Foundation…”

The agent chuckled.

Li Che felt a slight relief at those words.

“Oh, it seems the courtyard is lively—are they hosting a feast? Should you inform your family? A panicked banquet isn’t a good banquet,” the agent remarked as he glanced at Li Che.

Li Che clasped his fists and said, “Today, I just passed the Imperial Watch’s third-class Guest-Official exam.”

“When my family heard the news, they insisted on throwing a feast. I tried to refuse at first, but they said it was a joyous occasion worth celebrating.”

“Since you came this late, why not join me for a drink before you go?”

No sooner had Li Che finished speaking than the two agents’ expressions shifted, and the divine aura in the air momentarily faltered.

“Third-class Guest-Official of the Imperial Watch?”

The two exchanged startled glances.

Then, in a tacit maneuver, they retrieved the divided Gold Leaf coins from their pockets, reassembling the set of twelve and returning them to Li Che.

“So you’re a colleague from the Imperial Watch… We all serve the court. Although Guest-Officials are hired externally, we still perform official duties—so don’t take it to heart, Mr. Li.”

But Li Che waved his hand and pushed the Gold Leaf coins back to them.

To gain a foothold in the city, one must master the ways of interpersonal dealings.

“They can’t be taken back—after all, inconveniencing you both so late merits a little extra,” Li Che laughed before inviting the two Temple Guardian Division agents inside for a drink.

The two, giving him face, ceased their pressing.

After their drinks, Li Che and Zhang Ya exchanged a few words before departing together.

……

……

Jingguang Prefecture, Temple Guardian Division.

As the largest armed force in Jingguang City, the Temple Guardian Division boasted countless powerful cultivators, ever vigilant against outbreaks from the Bizarre Temple.

Any overflow of divine aura from the Bizarre Temple outside the city, spawning malevolent entities, required immediate suppression by the Temple Guardian Division.

Even though the Great Jing Court had ceded significant power to the city clans, the intimidation of the Temple Guardian Division remained formidable.

The headquarters of the Temple Guardian Division was unlike the Imperial Watch Tower.

The main gate, with three openings each flanked by two imposing dark doors and enormous, lifelike stone carvings of coiled dragons imbued with fierce divine energy, intimidated all who met their gaze.

Inside, numerous pavilions with upturned eaves stood in stately formation. Unlike the eight-story Imperial Watch Tower, these buildings were mostly two or three stories tall, exuding an aura of authority and cold severity.

“Master Li, please.”

The two agents, their tone considerably softened, addressed Li Che.

Once inside the Temple Guardian Division headquarters, the dense divine aura was almost tangible, creating an oppressive atmosphere that would leave even a non-cultivator struggling to regulate their energy.

Li Che’s face turned grim as he slowly followed the two agents.

Moments later, they arrived at a two-story pavilion.

“The chief officer is waiting for you inside.”

After the door swung open, Li Che thanked the agents and stepped into the pavilion.

Within the Temple Guardian Division, the chief officer ranked on par with a junior supervisor at the Imperial Watch, yet wielded far greater authority—commanding head agents who led dozens more subordinates.

Some chief officers even commanded brigades of up to a hundred agents.

How could a lone junior supervisor from the Imperial Watch possibly compare?

Of course, as they were separate departments with distinct functions, such comparisons were moot.

As Li Che stepped into the pavilion, an agent silently closed the door behind him.

The rich aroma of tea filled the air. Looking up, Li Che saw a sandalwood desk beside a small tea table where a hot stove boiled water and emerald tea leaves danced in the steam.

A figure in a vividly patterned red tiger-striped robe sat upright in a chair, meticulously preparing tea.

The overwhelming divine aura was almost tangible, filling the space and making it hard to breathe.

Flickering dim candlelight illuminated the pavilion, contrasting sharply with the oppressive atmosphere.

“I am Li Che. Greetings, honorable chief officer,” he announced.

Li Che clasped his fists as he spoke.

A middle-aged man looked up, a fierce scar marking his face.

He held his teacup carefully, taking a sip before his eyes lifted slightly to fix on Li Che.

Boom—!

In an instant, the divine aura within the pavilion seemed to be drawn into a vortex by a fearsome divine perception, coalescing above Li Che’s head.

“Ogre?”

In a cold, emotionless tone, Chief Officer Zhang Lianhao uttered the word.

Under the crushing divine pressure, Li Che began to act; his face turned deathly pale and his legs trembled uncontrollably.

“Is the chief officer referring to… the vicious Ogre from Feilei City?”

“I… I may hail from Feilei City, but with a family to support, I am hardly that ruthless fiend.”

Li Che gritted his teeth, struggling under the divine pressure as heavy breaths escaped him.

Silence reigned in the pavilion, broken only by the gurgling of boiling water from the stove.

Zhang Lianhao studied Li Che silently for a long while before remarking calmly, “Some say you are Ogre.”

Li Che took a deep breath, his eyes blazing, “Slanderous lies.”

“That Ogre killed the Yang Family Old Master in Feilei City—he was a cultivator of the Divine Foundation. If they call me Ogre, doesn’t that imply I could slay a Divine Foundation cultivator?”

“Sir, do you really think I can kill a Divine Foundation cultivator?”

A dominant divine perception swept over Li Che, probing him thoroughly.

Yet Li Che’s Qi and blood were consolidated by the Sleeping Dragon Elephant technique of Dragon Elephant Vajra, and his divine aura reined in by the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit—rendering him impervious to detection.

After his divine perception failed to find anything, it gradually dissipated along with the oppressive aura, leaving the pavilion’s air refreshingly clear.

“Indeed, a Blood Exchange cultivator with a gentle nature… you cannot kill a Divine Foundation cultivator.”

Zhang Lianhao withdrew his divine perception, no longer coercing him.

“Congratulations—you are now a Third-Class Guest-Official of the Imperial Watch.”

Li Che, dripping with sweat, clasped his fists in gratitude but said little.

“Chief Officer, when I first arrived in Jingguang Prefecture, someone maliciously slandered me—accusing me of such crimes!”

Zhang Lianhao poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Li Che, “Drink up and don’t be angry. That is just how the Temple Guardian Division handles cases—first intimidate, then deliver judgment.”

“As for calling you Ogre, you might know him—Zhang Xiangyang, the former chief constable of Feilei City.”

“He joined the Lingying Sect and is now held in the Temple Guardian Division’s prison. He claimed that you, Ogre, were responsible for Qin Yuqing’s death and sought to redeem himself by taking the blame.”

Zhang Xiangyang?!

Li Che’s gaze hardened. The Zhang Xiangyang who had fled earlier had now appeared in the Capital and been arrested.

That was the highest level of security in the Capital.

He silently chastised himself for not being ruthless enough—he should have taken out Zhang Xiangyang sooner to avoid today’s complications.

“So it was Inspector Zhang…” Li Che exhaled.

“The words of Lingying Sect thugs are not to be trusted!” Li Che snarled, “Lingying Sect committed countless atrocities in Feilei City—and even City Lord Cao Guang joined them, sacrificing thousands of prodigies… they are utterly inhumane!”

Zhang Lianhao nodded indifferently, as if accustomed to such cruelty, “They truly lack humanity.”

“I didn’t believe it myself, but I had to ask—Xu Beihu, are you aware? Someone from Feilei City, tortured to death by Qin Yuqing, also targeted the An Family who recently moved into the Capital, only to be killed.”

Zhang Lianhao took a sip of tea, squinting as he exhaled steam.

“Alright, you may leave now. Stay safe. The Lingying Sect’s Spirit Infant Cult Leader has escaped. Word is your daughter… seems to have taken possession of a Spirit Infant Wooden Carving. Once the ritual is complete, contact will be established—and that cult leader might even covet your extraordinary Prodigy daughter.”

At these words, Li Che’s face turned pale with terror, his eyes blazing with fury.

“Spirit Infant Cult Leader? The Lingying Sect… are that vicious? Even though my family has moved to the Capital, they still won’t let us be!”

“Security in the Capital isn’t the issue—it’s the fear of a midnight ambush on your family.”

Zhang Lianhao cast a glance at Li Che, who was a mix of anger and fear.

“We’ve asked all that needs asking. You may go now…”

Li Che trembled with anger, contemplating whether to seek Zhang Lianhao’s protection.

Zhang Lianhao merely smiled and waved him off dismissively.

Resigned, Li Che had no choice but to leave the pavilion.

He stepped out of the Temple Guardian Division headquarters.

Moments later, Li Che’s expression of anger and tension gave way to calm.

He realized there was another person inside the pavilion harboring murderous intent toward him.

Under the ever-looming cosmic chessboard, Li Che clearly sensed a dark, almost tangible aura emanating from that man.

“Is he from the Qin Family?”

The aura felt familiar—it had been present when he shot an undercover informant in front of the Qin Mansion.

As for Chief Officer Zhang Lianhao, he showed no murderous intent, merely acting on orders; yet his words carried a deep significance.

Li Che furrowed his brow.

“Zhang Xiangyang… Spirit Infant Cult Leader…”

“Is this chief officer trying to fish for information?”

“Fishing? It’s been ages since Ogre took the bait…”

……

……

Inside the pavilion.

Zhang Lianhao poured another cup of tea and, moments later, a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Qin Haonan of the Qin Family—Qin Yuqing’s brother.

“What do you think? That your sister could have been murdered by him?”

“A mere Blood Exchange warrior with a feeble divine aura… do you really think he could kill?”

Zhang Lianhao asked.

Qin Haonan ran his fingers through his beard, “It appears not, although Zhang Xiangyang from Feilei City claimed that Li Che and Ogre are inseparably linked…”

“It’s a pity—had he not joined the Imperial Watch and become a Third-Class Guest-Official, I wouldn’t be wasting words; I would have struck him down immediately.” Qin Haonan lamented, “If he truly is Ogre, he would never surrender meekly—he’d reveal his trump card and fight back…”

Qin Haonan spoke bluntly, without any awkwardness about discussing murder in front of Zhang Lianhao.

“I heard he got in on Li Qingshan’s recommendation. If you actually killed him, wouldn’t you fear Li Qingshan coming back and smashing your head in with that Goat-Horn Hammer?”

“Heh, Li Qingshan only values him for that extraordinary Prodigy daughter. His recommendation was probably just a favor…”

“Li Che is nothing more than a Blood Exchange warrior—if he’s meant to die, so be it.”

“Li Qingshan would never risk offending the Qin Family for him.”

“But according to Zhang Xiangyang, this Ogre—even if it isn’t Li Che himself—is inseparably linked with his family. Li Che’s daughter, Li Nuǎnxi, is said to be very close to Ogre; perhaps even in a master-disciple relationship?”

Qin Haonan looked toward Zhang Lianhao.

“Decide for yourself—this is an extraordinary Prodigy pre-selected by the Qianyuan Divine Sect Branch…”

“In that case, you wouldn’t be offending Li Qingshan but the entire Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

Zhang Lianhao sipped his tea and remarked coolly.

“Dismiss him.”

Qin Haonan frowned at Zhang Lianhao, said no more, and turned to leave.

After leaving the Temple Guardian Division headquarters, he stood on the dark, lengthy street.

“The Divine Sect really is not to be trifled with…”

After a moment’s thought, Qin Haonan headed toward the direction of Jin Lie Men.

……

……

When Li Che returned home, everyone was still awake.

Seeing him return safely, everyone exhaled in relief.

“It’s good as long as you’re safe…” Uncle Li Liang, now half sober, remarked; after all, Li Che had been taken by the notorious Temple Guardian Division.

Old Chen, puffing on his dry tobacco with furrowed brows, muttered, “Because of Feilei City, huh? Sigh, that cursed Cao Guang…”

Li Che soothed them for a while, and soon everyone departed.

After putting XiXi to bed, Zhang Ya clutched Li Che’s waist and asked, “My love, are you really alright?”

She knew his true identity, which is why she was so concerned.

After all, compared to Feilei City, the Capital was swarming with powerful figures, and the sense of security had plummeted.

Li Che ruffled Zhang Ya’s hair and said, “I’m safe—I’ve returned without incident. Besides, I’m now a Third-Class Guest-Official of the Imperial Watch. Even if the Temple Guardian Division lacks evidence, they wouldn’t dare act lightly against me.”

Zhang Ya pressed her cheek against his broad chest, listening to his vigorous heartbeat and feeling a sense of calm.

She murmured softly.

“As the head of this family, you must stay well… we have to watch XiXi grow up together.”

“Don’t worry. In just two months, the entrance exam for the Divine Sect Branch will take place. XiXi is practically guaranteed a place as a Divine Sect disciple—no one dares harm her, and once enrolled, she’ll be untouchable.”

“Alright, no need to worry—everything is under control, my dear.”

“Let me check—have you practiced your martial arts today? Have you mastered the tendon-opening techniques I taught you? Let’s see if it’s time to pass on some new moves.”

“Ah? New moves as well?”

In Zhang Ya’s gentle tone, the couple began their tendon-opening cultivation.

……

……

The next day.

Li Che stepped out refreshed to report for duty at the Imperial Watch. He donned his Guest-Official robe over his usual black flexible attire.

His duty was simple—just lounging in the tea room with Shangguan Qinghong.

“Are you taking on that task for crafting a Divine Crystal wooden sculpture?”

Shangguan Qinghong, with his bare, jade-like feet, squatted on a chair, cracking sunflower seeds.

Upon hearing Li Che’s inquiry, he retrieved the task scroll and began to peruse it.

“There is one task: an inner disciple from Xinyuan Temple who cultivates the Divine Aura of Anger needs a Ten Capital–level ‘Angry Gaze Ghost-Suppressor’ deity statue. With no model for reference, the wooden sculptor is free to be creative; however, the finished work must be approved before delivery.”

That’s what Shangguan Qinghong explained.

“What if they’re not satisfied?” Li Che frowned.

“They can simply reject it—that’s stipulated in the task contract. If you can’t handle that, don’t take the job,” replied Shangguan Qinghong matter-of-factly.

Li Che nodded, “How much is the remuneration?”

“Two Ten Capital Divine Crystals.”

“Only two?”

Shangguan Qinghong gave Li Che a peculiar look, “Market rates are just like this—and you wouldn’t think that two Ten Capital Divine Crystals is a low offer, would you? Your monthly salary is only three…”

Li Che smiled awkwardly; his monthly pay had already been spent.

Being part of the ‘moonlight generation,’ Li Che naturally hoped for a better rate.

“Are you taking it?” Shangguan Qinghong asked, munching on sunflower seeds and blinking his large eyes.

“I’m in!”

“No reference for the deity statue means complete creative freedom?” Li Che squinted.

“Exactly,” Shangguan Qinghong nodded.

Li Che pondered; this was his first commission—a debut to build his reputation.

If he wanted to earn more Divine Crystals and quickly amass enough to level up his Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit to level 3…

then this job’s reputation was absolutely crucial!

A good reputation would surely bring in more high-paying Divine Crystal jobs!

“For a Ten Capital–level Divine Wooden Sculpture, it isn’t just about the amount of divine energy—it’s all about the artistic conception.”

Li Che’s eyes lit up as he recalled his earlier thoughts; based on his memory of divine statue sketches, it might even boost his Xiangong.

Now was the perfect opportunity to experiment with his craft on this commission.

“Angry Gaze to Suppress Ghosts… to suppress ghosts, you must have an angry gaze…”

“That would naturally be…”

“The Leopard-Headed, Ring-Eyed, Iron-Faced, Twisted-Haired!”

“Demon-Slaying General, Lord of Purging Evil; Iron-Faced Deity of Zhongnan; Demon-Quelling Celestial Sovereign…”

“Zhong Kui!”

A final note on update times: from now on, Chapter One will update around noon and Chapter Two at about 8 PM, totaling ten thousand words. Please vote, recommend, and keep reading—Old Li will continue to astonish!