Chapter 1 The Plot Thickens

Shang Xingyan coldly looked at the intensely fought Reincarnation Department and slowly said, "These Huangquan smugglers are quite capable. In just a quarter of an hour, I've lost more than a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guards!"

Nalan Huaide was also shocked: "Lord Shang, this... how am I going to explain this to Marshal Mi?"

When Shang Xingyan had just shown the secret order, Nalan Huaide had addressed himself as "this official," speaking to Shang Xingyan as an equal.

But now, he called himself "lower official," lowering his stance. He was truly afraid now.

The Yin Division Embroidered Uniform Guards were not only the elite of the elite, but all of them were top scouts selected from the hands of various Yin Marshals. Their skills and experience were unmatched by ordinary ghost generals.

No one had expected that the Embroidered Uniform Guards, who were usually so unrestrained, would fall in such numbers in such a short time.

The more Nalan Huaide thought about it, the more terrifying it became. If he weren't a ghost, he would already be drenched in sweat.

Shang Xingyan said in a deep voice, "Remnant Shadow, it's your turn."

A phantom slowly appeared behind Shang Xingyan: "Old Shang, it seems your vision is still too limited."

"You doubted what the Young Master determined with a single word. Now you've been slapped in the face!"

"What a pity, those dozen or so brothers!"

Before Shang Xingyan could speak, the phantom led his men into the Reincarnation Department.

Shang Xingyan didn't say a word, but his face was extremely gloomy.

He wasn't angry because of the phantom's teasing, but because in the short time they were talking, several more Embroidered Uniform Guards had fallen.

Shang Xingyan said as if talking to himself, "The Reincarnation Department's plot is probably not small! Lord Nalan, if this matter of the Huangquan smugglers in the Reincarnation Department isn't properly resolved, the civil officials' faction will be facing a sea of blood."

Nalan Huaide said in a low voice, "Lord Shang, could you..."

Shang Xingyan interrupted him before he could finish, "Lord Nalan, do you think that's appropriate?"

"This..." Nalan Huaide was immediately dumbfounded. What he meant was that he wanted Shang Xingyan to give him a chance to inform the civil officials' faction.

But once this news spread, he, Nalan Huaide, and his superior would all be drawn into this vortex, and a slight mistake could lead to their destruction.

Shang Xingyan turned his head and said, "Lord Nalan, why don't we investigate this case together?"

Nalan Huaide thought he had misheard. Shang Xingyan lowered his voice again, "Afterwards, I'll give you a note. Wouldn't that make it seem like I invited Lord Nalan to investigate the case?"

"Lord Nalan, you can report this matter to your superior openly."

"Brother Shang is righteous, Huaide has no way to repay you. If Brother Shang has any instructions, Huaide will do his best." Nalan Huaide was still uneasy. His words were clearly asking what benefits Shang Xingyan wanted.

Shang Xingyan smiled, "Brother Huaide, don't forget, I also come from the Confucian school!"

"I can't just watch the civil officials' faction be implicated for no reason, right? Besides..."

Shang Xingyan lowered his voice and changed the subject, "I suspect there's a traitor hidden in the civil officials' faction. Their goal is not just in the art of magic."

Nalan Huaide gasped, "Huaide understands. Brother Xingyan is righteous, allow me to repay you in the future."

Nalan Huaide summoned two of his men, whispered a few words, and the latter hurried away.

Soon after, more than a dozen red-robed civil officials came through the air. Nalan Huaide quickly went over and explained the matter in detail. The faces of the civil officials immediately turned ashen.

Someone said in a low voice, "The situation is worse than we thought!"

Just as a few people were about to come over and speak, the Embroidered Uniform Guards escorted the Huangquan smugglers back: "Reporting to the lords, a total of three hundred and three smugglers have been captured this time, including one hundred and fifty-seven registered earth souls."

These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue.

Nalan Huaide was shaken. Although they had already prepared themselves mentally, they were still almost unable to stand when they heard this number.

Three hundred smugglers, more than half of whom were earth souls captured by Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren.

What exactly happened in the Yin Division dungeon?

And who is directing this conspiracy?

Shang Xingyan said, "Bring everyone up and ask the lords to verify them one by one."

After a few civil officials exchanged glances, they cupped their hands at Shang Xingyan and began to verify the identities of the smugglers one by one.

After a while, someone reported, "Reporting to the lords, the result of the verification is not one hundred and fifty-seven, but..."

The man looked at the expression of his superior before saying, "But one hundred and sixty-two."

All the red-robed civil officials gasped. Nalan Huaide said sternly, "The Embroidered Uniform Guards didn't find out, how can you be sure there are five more?"

The man said, "Those Huangquan smugglers are very well hidden. This subordinate used the Soul Searching Secret Method to confirm their identities."

Nalan Huaide said, "Brother Xingyan, what do you think should be done now?"

Shang Xingyan shook his head slightly, "The matter is too big, this subordinate can't make a decision either! How about we report to the judge?"

"This official has already arrived!" A voice suddenly rang out in the void, startling everyone.

The judge angrily shouted, "Such a big event has happened, what are you still hesitating about?"

"Seal off the Reincarnation Department and take everyone down for questioning one by one."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.

The Reincarnation Department's actions this time have already shaken the Yin Division.