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Lord Shen the Sixth did not give a response...

After returning to his room, Wang Ye jotted down the day’s events in his small notebook. A small white elephant romped cheerfully beside him. Clearly, while Wang Ye seemed to be logging his diary, he was actually in a state of activating a technique.

Lord Shen the Sixth did not give a response, nor did he indicate any intention of letting him leave. Obviously, while unclear about the authenticity of Wang Ye’s intelligence, he dared not let Wang Ye leave Nanyang City with this secret!

Wang Ye understood the reason quite clearly; he did not trust him and dared not let Wang Ye leave with such a big secret, because if the Imperial Court were to learn that the monstrous organism was parasitizing the Shens’ bodies, what would the Imperial Court choose?

The safest method would actually be to kill all members of the Shen Family!

Lord Shen the Sixth’s judgment was very accurate, and Wang Ye understood the Duke of Qin well; if he found out about this, there was a ninety-nine percent chance that he would do just that.

Wang Ye understood Lord Shen the Sixth’s thoughts, but that did not mean he would sit idly by; he never had the habit of leaving the decision-making to others.

At this moment, Wang Ye’s brush continued to write words on a diary, but upon closer inspection, one would notice that there were no words on it. Every time Wang Ye wrote a character, it twisted and vanished into thin air!

Duke Liu Yu was the first to pioneer the Yin Yang Academy, openly sharing the intelligence of his "Twilight Sorcery" technique.

Such magnanimity led many sorcerer families to ultimately trust and band together, also revealing many hidden techniques.

Thus, the Yin Yang Academy possessed the richest intelligence on techniques to date.

My teacher, Liu Yu, made tremendous contributions; in the eyes of outsiders, my teacher has always projected an image of utmost fairness and selflessness.

But only Wang Ye knew that there was one technique my teacher had yet to reveal.

This technique was named: Shifting Stars.

It was a technique that, once made public, would most likely make even the Great Jin Emperor unable to tolerate my teacher.

This technique could establish a link with another person and share a space, in which anything inanimate, including ink and brush, could be transferred.

In other words, once a connection was established, regardless of distance, the two individuals could share information, and my teacher... could share information with multiple people.

What did this ability signify?

It meant that if my teacher wished, he could communicate with any sorcerer or general thousands of miles away. No sovereign would allow their subjects to have such capability in private.

Therefore, my teacher never revealed it in public, including to himself; having learned it, he also never used it. Wang Ye had never thought before that one day he would employ this technique on a person he found most inscrutable.

"Lord Shen the Sixth can’t make a decision?"

A cluster of characters appeared on Wang Ye’s notebook and vanished in the next second with a twist.

Wang Ye frowned slightly. He had read Chen Qing’s articles; they were stable and impressive, but the writing did indeed strain the eyes.

However, he could understand; after all, coming from a poor background, one could not always use good paper for practicing calligraphy like a scion of a noble house might.

"He hesitates, after all, he’s a blood brother, and according to his reputation, Lord Shen the Sixth has been an excellent family head, very kind to both his brothers and the younger generation of the family."

"Is that so? Then you’ve met several from the Shen Family? What do you think?"

"From what I can tell, Shen San (Third Elder Shen) and Seventh Master seem the most gloomy and calculating, their cultivation techniques are more sinister and crafty, so they are more likely suspects.

" After thinking for a moment, Wang Ye added with his brush, "Actually, if Second Elder Shen hadn’t died, his way of doing things and his techniques would have made him the most likely suspect. "

"I feel the same."

"You left Lyuzhou and aren’t worried about that person doing something in the dark?"

"I’m waiting for him to make a move; otherwise, always avoiding opportunities is like a thorn in my side."

"I’ve conveyed to the Shen Family, as you wished, that Second Elder Shen is dead. If, as you said, Ninth Master is the card to deal with them, the remaining brothers will surely be anxious, unless they have banded together."

"There’s no possibility of them banding together. Watch and you’ll see; those men won’t be able to contain themselves."

"What if they can’t contain themselves?" asked Wang Ye, curious. "They can’t leave Nanyang City anyway."

"Who says they can’t leave?"

Wang Ye: "...."

"Wasn’t that what you said?"

Wang Ye was puzzled, and as he was about to ask more, a faint knock suddenly came from the door.

His brushwork paused, and all techniques were canceled in an instant. The diary in his hands returned to its ordinary appearance, and Wang Ye looked up towards the window.

Underneath the lamplight stood a very short figure, who could almost certainly be identified as Shen San (Third Elder Shen), sitting in a wheelchair, without the need for guessing.

"Does Third Elder Shen need something?"

He had set up a technique outside the door, but the other party had arrived at the door without a trace. The knocking was a form of courtesy and also a display of strength, telling him that the visitor could approach silently but maintained the proper respect.

"I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, but I just wish to have a chat with Minister Shaoting."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ye stood up to open the door. The Shen San (Third Elder Shen) standing outside was extremely pale, his smile was gentle but even more eerie.

"Please come in, Third Elder Shen....."

"No need..." Shen Yimiao glanced outside, "Let’s talk out there."

Wang Ye nodded, saying nothing, and graciously closed the door of the house, then asked, "Where shall we go?"

Shen Yimiao smiled faintly, "Lord Wang, you’re quite bold. Despite suspecting us brothers, you really dare to leave Old Liu’s domain?"

Wang Ye frowned, "What do you mean, Third Elder Shen? When have I ever suspected you?"

Shen Yimiao laughed, "The records of Dragon Transformation, even if Old Liu wanted to browse them, he’d have to offer sacrifices to the ancestral hall; it’d be impossible to do so silently."

"Old Liu is more traditional than I imagined," Wang Ye sighed and smiled, "In such a situation, he still doesn’t forget the family rules; indeed, he truly has the demeanor of a Family Head."

"Old Liu is more cunning than you think," Shen Yimiao smiled. "He’s obviously stirring the grass to startle the snake, to see who can’t hold back first."

"Since Shen San knows this, why did he come first?" Wang Ye asked with a half-smile, "Aren’t you afraid of being suspected?"

"If I don’t make a move now, I might end up like Old Er, so who cares about being suspected or not," Shen Yimiao shook his head. "Let’s go, Minister Shaoting. Let’s talk outside. I’m not comfortable in Old Liu’s place."

Wang Ye’s heart stirred upon hearing this. Shen Lao San was quite polite at the dinner table with Old Liu, but his current behavior made it obvious that he had no fondness for Shen Liu Ye.

After leaving Shen Liu Ye’s mansion, Shen Yixin, in a room far away, glanced at Wang Ye and his side but showed no intention of asking further. Instead, he closed his eyes, waiting for something.

Once outside the mansion, Wang Ye pushed Shen San’s wheelchair along the bustling streets.

The current situation in Nanyang was unlike that of Nan Ming Prefecture or Lyuzhou.

Nan Ming Prefecture is now in a state of solemn war preparation.

At night, because of the heavy military presence needed to guard the city walls, a curfew is in place.

With no one but patrolling soldiers to be seen at night, it’s very strict.

Lyuzhou is slightly different; people have hopes for the outside world and look forward to it, but few go out at night.

One reason is the lingering fear of the living corpses, and the second is the lack of necessity to go out.

Although Lyuzhou’s population has reached a hundred thousand, it has not regained its former order. Commerce has not been restored, there are no street vendors, let alone those brothels that were the busiest at night.

But Nanyang is different. Honestly, if one didn’t come here themselves, they probably wouldn’t believe it—within the hellish Jiangnan, there exists a city that seems entirely normal.

At night, the lights are bright, and people of all ages continue to live as they once did, with the sounds of street vendors calling out, the noise of festive lanterns, tricks, and the cheering of the audience. It’s lively, like a completely different world from the outside.

"Doesn’t it feel very different from the outside?" Shen San asked in a low voice.

Wang Ye nodded but asked, puzzled, "Nanyang City is in lockdown now. How can such liveliness continue? For example, these street vendors, they can’t leave the city, so where do their goods come from?"

Shen San laughed and said, "They’re provided by the merchant guilds."

"Provided by the merchant guilds?" Wang Ye was startled. Merchant guilds should be raising prices now to make a profit, but looking at the state of Nanyang City, it was clearly not the case. The smiles on the faces of most people didn’t seem forged; the city’s quality of life had not been affected at all.

"My Shen Family’s merchant guilds have been operating for a thousand years.

The accumulated wealth and connections allow Jiangnan to maintain stable prices even when completely locked down.

That’s why the Imperial Court allowed the Duke of Song to pay respects.

Everyone knows, without my Shen Family, there would be no Jiangnan! "

Wang Ye paused and looked at the pale-faced man in front of him, a glint of something different flashing in his eyes.

Shen San has a strong sense of pride for the Shen Family, and his tone didn’t seem fake.

"That’s why I don’t like Old Wu and Old Liu."

"Uh..." Wang Ye frowned. "Why’s that?"

"They both don’t care about the Shen Family..."

"San Ye, why would you conclude that?" Wang Ye asked in confusion. "There are quite a few descendants of the Shen Family at Yin Yang Academy who admire Old Liu, saying he’s very fair as the Family Head."

"He’s fair, but only just fair," Shen San chuckled. "He and Old Wu are extremely talented, and Old Wu holds significant resources at the Imperial Court, but... for so many years, all they’ve done is look out for themselves."

Wang Ye: "...."

"Old Liu and Old Wu have placed their descendants in the Capital City. Their roots... do not lie in the Shen Family, so whether it lives or dies, they don’t care.

The elder brother died, and they didn’t dare to investigate because they knew if they did, it would break the current state of comfort. Two cowards!"

"Do you know about the incident that year?"

"I’m not very clear, but I can guess some of it," Shen Yimiao looked at the bustling crowd and spoke indifferently. "The old ancestor told me that Old Jiu is key to saving the Shen Family. That’s why the old ancestor made certain designs on Old Jiu."

"Oh?" Wang Ye’s eyes lit up. "What kind of designs?"

"I’m not sure..." Shen Yimiao shook his head. "But Old Jiu won’t be easily controlled by others. He didn’t have the capability to kill Old Er, and Old Er’s death was definitely not simple."

Wang Ye nodded, memorizing this information and beginning to reassess Shen San.

According to Chen Qing’s intelligence, the most suitable host for Shen San’s body was still shrouded in mystery, meaning there was a fair chance that Shen San, who seemed the most sullen, could actually be clean.

But it wasn’t certain, for it wasn’t necessary to parasitize the most suitable host. Shen San’s health was deteriorating without any identifiable cause, and it was highly possible that he was experiencing rejection symptoms due to being parasitized.

"Approaching Old Liu was a wrong move on your part."

"Why’s that?" Wang Ye asked with a smile. "The Chief of Staff did say Old Liu was the only one worth trusting."

"Of course..." Shen Yimiao sneered. "Old Liu is most trusted by Old Wu, but that doesn’t include you, Lord Wang!"

Wang Ye: "...."

"Old Liu won’t let Shen Family’s circumstances be known to you, because once you pass on the information, Old Wu might be controlled by the Imperial Court. And the only person Old Liu trusts is his own brother, Old Wu. Old Liu won’t risk the chance of Old Wu being betrayed by you."

"So what now?" Wang Ye smiled. "Keep me detained here indefinitely?"

"No..." Shen Yimiao shook his head. "Minister Wang, you’re a puppet body, aren’t you? Did Old Liu ever tell you what his Technique is?"

Wang Ye was taken aback. Indeed, he had information about other Shen Family members, but he didn’t know Old Liu’s Technique.

"Old Liu is a successor to the Ingenious Art of Heaven, his accomplishments surpass even those of the current Minister of Works!"

Wang Ye’s expression froze...

"Ah, you haven’t misunderstood. Old Liu can indeed modify you, and you may not even have noticed that you have... already been modified by Old Liu!"

What did he mean?

Just as Wang Ye wanted to ask, he found he couldn’t speak, and though he tried to move, he found his entire body immobilized!

"It’s not fun like this, San Ge..."

A familiar voice came from behind, making Wang Ye’s heart skip a beat—it was Shen Liu Ye’s voice!