A heavenly official who was on good terms with Pei Ming immediately tried to help him out of the predicament. “If you ask me, we should just look at these matters one case at a time. Let’s first clear up the issue in regards to the Gilded Banquet Massacre.”
Just then, Ling Wen, who was positioned next to the throne, suddenly spoke up. “We’ve news from His Highness Tai Hua.”
Jun Wu finally opened his eyes. “What did he say?”
Ling Wen was quiet for a moment, then she replied, “He states that there’s another side to the story of the Gilded Banquet Massacre. He will resolve the conflict with His Highness himself, and there’s no need for anyone else to interfere. Also, that His Highness’s request for banishment must not go through. Those are the two things.”
“What other side?” Mu Qing frowned.
“He didn’t say anything more. That is all,” Ling Wen replied.
To think they would see a battle erupt and a hammer come down heavily, only to have it land as lightly as a feather; the heavenly officials couldn’t help but feel rather disappointed. Lang Qianqiu was the plaintiff, and the plaintiff was no longer accusing the defendant, so what fun was there to be had watching? Besides, Lang Qianqiu wasn’t telling, and Xie Lian didn’t look like he was going to say anything either, so there was nothing more to chew on in this matter.
Following Ling Wen’s report, Jun Wu appointed Feng Xin and Mu Qing to assist Pei Ming in strengthening security and settled a few other matters before waving his hand and dismissing everyone. Xie Lian stayed behind, and he could hear the faint conversations passing by.
“I knew it. Whenever he stirs up anything, the Emperor says he’ll interrogate him, but in the end nothing comes of it…”
“We’ve been blind—he’s actually someone significant. Gotta watch what we say from now on.”
***
Once everyone left, Xie Lian approached the throne and bowed.
“I’ve caused My Lord problems.”
“This does not count as a problem just yet. The real problem was you stubbornly proclaiming yourself the only one responsible for the Gilded Banquet Massacre.”
Xie Lian was hesitant, but in the end still gave an account of the whole story.
After listening to the story, Jun Wu commented, “Xianle, in regards to your methods in managing this matter, you worked hard for nothing and pleased no one.”
Xie Lian hung his head. “I know.”
“Never mind. You are always like this,” Jun Wu said. “Tai Hua has now changed focus to pursue the Green Ghost. Once he succeeds, he will certainly return for you. Have you thought on how you will face him?”
“Not yet. But let’s focus on something else,” Xie Lian replied.
Jun Wu chuckled. “Such as? Is it something interesting that can amuse me?”
“Was it My Lord who sent the Earth Master to Ghost City as a spy?” Xie Lian asked.
“Yes,” Jun Wu answered leisurely.
“Why?”
Jun Wu answered slowly, “Because it was Hua Cheng who planted a spy in the Heavenly Realm first.”
Xie Lian was taken aback. Jun Wu stood.
“For many years, news has reached Hua Cheng’s ears too quickly. There were many things he should not have known and instead knew too well. As for what can be done and what cannot be done, where the line is and how to cross said line, he is overly perceptive and precise. That he could connect directly to your Palace of Xianle only proves that he does indeed have a spy here in the Heavenly Realm, otherwise it could not have been done.”
To be honest, Xie Lian had noticed this too. After all, Hua Cheng really did know way too much; hearing Jun Wu say it out loud, it wasn’t hard to believe.
“Does My Lord have any evidence?” Xie Lian inquired.
Jun Wu shook his head slowly. “It is because there was no proof, but things were suspicious regardless, that I sent Ming Yi to the Ghost Realm. It was unexpected that Ming Yi fell into his hands before the spy was found. Although you saved him from Hua Cheng’s grasp, now it will be even more difficult to find that spy.”
“Is it the Upper Court or the Middle Court that’s the problem?” Xie Lian asked.
“Hard to say,” Jun Wu said. “Aside from you, it might be anyone. Perhaps there is only one mole. Perhaps more.”
No wonder Jun Wu didn’t appoint anyone else to investigate Ming Yi’s disappearance. If it could be anyone besides him, Xie Lian couldn’t help but think: Even the Wind Master, Qianqiu, Feng Xin—everyone is a possible agent?