Chapter 2238: Chapter 1928: Sir, Did You Forget About Prince Zhen Nan?

Imperial Study Room.

Pei Shuhua, dressed in a dark golden Profound Robe, sat at a desk made of Golden Silk Nanmu. She looked at the memorial in her hand, snorted coldly, and said, "Fan Yaodong is indeed a smart man. Just after I ordered him to take good care of Lu Chen, he got severely injured by an Earth Realm Wolf Demon that appeared out of nowhere."

Pei Shuhua was no fool. Fan Yaodong had been with the Deceit Suppression Bureau for countless years, and his strength was not weak; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to hold that position. With Fan Yaodong’s strength, not to mention mid Earth Realm spiritual evil, even late-stage or peak Earth Realm spiritual evil, he had the capability to handle them.

Earth Realm Spirit Warriors can live for thousands of years, and judging by Fan Yaodong’s age, he was in his prime. How could he be defeated by a mid Earth Realm Wolf Demon, especially while burning vital essence?

After burning vital essence, not only was he severely injured but also let that mid Earth Realm Wolf Demon escape. It was clear that Fan Yaodong did this intentionally.

As for why Fan Yaodong did this, it was clear he didn’t want to take responsibility or offend the Zhen Nan Prince Manor and Emperor Zhou, seeking to protect himself.

Having finished reading the memorial, Pei Shuhua said to a stunning maid beside her, "Since Fan Yaodong wants to preserve himself, I shall fulfill his wish. Draft a decree..."

A forced melon is never sweet; since Fan Yaodong doesn’t want to take responsibility, Pei Shuhua couldn’t force him. Of course, Pei Shuhua wouldn’t severely punish Fan Yaodong out of anger. After all, Fan Yaodong had managed the Deceit Suppression Bureau for many years, and most of the Bureau belonged to him. Offending Fan Yaodong meant indirectly offending the entire Bureau.

Since Fan Yaodong doesn’t want to take responsibility, they’ll find someone willing to.

...

Deceit Suppression Bureau.

He Dongqi sat high in the Meeting Hall, glancing at his colleagues below.

At this moment, he was full of vigor; he’d worked tirelessly for years to reach this position.

The news that Fan Yaodong was going to resign as Commander of the Deceit Suppression Bureau had spread throughout the Capital city. It was likely true, and He Dongqi was the most qualified among the Bureau to be the next Commander.

Moreover, Fan Yaodong had already recommended him to take the position to Your Majesty. Although He Dongqi disliked Fan Yaodong, he had to admit that with Fan Yaodong’s status in the Bureau, whoever he recommended would likely be chosen by the Imperial Court.

If the Court parachuted someone into the Bureau as Commander, they’d likely be ostracized soon.

At this time, He Dongqi spoke, "Everyone, let’s discuss the Earth Realm Wolf Demon that entered the Capital city. What are your thoughts?"

For He Dongqi, the immediate task was to deal with that Wolf Demon effectively. If he failed to handle it well, even if he became Commander, he wouldn’t gain much respect in the Bureau.

A new official ignites three fires, and his first fire was to deal with the Earth Realm Wolf Demon.

At that moment, a Commander said, "Sir, it’s improbable for an Earth Realm spiritual evil to appear in the Capital city without warning. Therefore, I suspect this Wolf Demon might not be purely spiritual evil, but a Spirit Martial Artist who transformed after suffering spiritual evil backlash."

When Spirit Martial Artists suffer backlash, they might transform into spiritual evil. What kind of spiritual evil they become depends on what kind of spiritual evil’s essence they’ve absorbed before the transformation.

Hearing this Commander’s words, He Dongqi rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, and then said, "Since this Wolf Demon is Earth Realm spiritual evil, it proves the Spirit Martial Artist involved was also Earth Realm during the backlash. But I haven’t heard of any Earth Realm Spirit Martial Artist in the Capital city experiencing such backlash..."

At this time, a Commander suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Sir, there is..."

Before this Commander could finish, the voice of an Imperial Eunuch came from the entrance of the Meeting Hall, "Holy Decree is here!!"

Upon hearing this, He Dongqi immediately stood up from his chair and led the Bureau’s high-level officials to the entrance.

Soon, the Imperial Eunuch stepped into the Meeting Hall, holding the Holy Decree.

Everyone in the hall knelt down as the Imperial Eunuch announced the decree, "By the authority of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

Once the decree was read, the stone in He Dongqi’s heart finally settled. Although he knew very well that since Fan Yaodong recommended him, the position of Commander was most likely his, there was always the uncertainty that Fan Yaodong might deceive him, or the Empress Dowager had her own plans.

Now the decree unequivocally stated that he would take over as Commander of the Bureau, he could now boldly ignite his first fire.

After sending off the Imperial Eunuch, He Dongqi joyfully held the Holy Decree as he returned to the top position. At this moment, he lightly stroked the armrest of his chair with his hand; finally, this seat was his.

At this moment, the high officials of the Bureau simultaneously greeted He Dongqi, saying, "Greetings, Commander!"

He Dongqi came back to his senses, smiling, "Rise, all of you!"

"Alright, let’s continue discussing the Wolf Demon matter."

The urgent task now was to swiftly eradicate that Wolf Demon. If it committed more misdeeds, he’d undoubtedly face impeachment.

To secure his position, he needed achievements; eliminating the Earth Realm Wolf Demon was his accomplishment.

After He Dongqi spoke, he recalled the earlier words of the Commander. He looked at the Commander and said, "You mentioned earlier that an Earth Realm Spirit Martial Artist might have suffered spiritual evil backlash?"

The Commander promptly said, "Yes, Sir. Have you forgotten Prince Zhen Nan?"

Upon hearing the three words "Prince Zhen Nan", He Dongqi seemed thunderstruck; his earlier joy vanished, his face turned slightly pale.

The Bureau indeed has the duty of supervising Spirit Martial Artists across the land, but not all of them, such as those from the Royal Family or the Zhen Nan Prince Manor.

Thus, initially He Dongqi didn’t consider Prince Zhen Nan until the Commander mentioned him. Only then did He Dongqi recall the recent rumors about Prince Zhen Nan suffering severe spiritual evil backlash, nearing his end.

Thinking this through, fine sweat appeared on He Dongqi’s forehead.

Upon further reflection, Fan Yaodong had been the overseer of the Bureau for many years, his strength undeniable. Furthermore, he had sparred with Fan Yaodong not long ago during a breakthrough, and was nearly overwhelmed throughout by Fan Yaodong.

Given Fan Yaodong’s formidable strength, he was ultimately no match for that Wolf Demon, and even after burning vital essence, the Wolf Demon managed to escape. If that Wolf Demon indeed transformed from a Spirit Martial Artist, that indicates it possessed immense power in its original form, which explains Fan Yaodong’s inability to gain the upper hand.

Among the powerful Earth Realm Spirit Martial Artists in the Capital city, aside from those of the Royal Family, the first to come to mind was Prince Zhen Nan.

Thinking deeply about it was terrifying, and for a moment He Dongqi felt as if he were sitting on needles.

At this point, a Commander tentatively asked, "Sir, should we send someone to Zhen Nan Prince Manor to inquire about Prince Zhen Nan’s situation?"