Chapter 679: Secret Investigation

Chapter 679: Chapter 679: Secret Investigation

Pang Ban instinctively felt that Shen Hao’s identity might not be simple, perhaps even concealed, but he didn’t equate "not simple" with "harmful."

Because ever since Shen Hao entered the Xuanqing Guard, including after coming into his field of vision, every sign he had shown along the way—there was absolutely no malice toward the Jingjiu Dynasty or the Xuanqing Guard, not even a trace.

That’s why Pang Ban always took a relatively indulgent attitude with Shen Hao, even giving him quite a bit of practical care. For example, the three guards attached to Shen Hao. By now, the meaning of "monitoring" was negligible, and they were mostly for protection.

Besides, if Shen Hao really has the possibility to grow into Pang Ban’s successor, that’s a matter for much, much later. Pang Ban has plenty of time to slowly probe. Today he merely found an opportunity to remind Jiang Cheng, not to overlook any scattered clues that might reveal Shen Hao’s origins.

Jiang Cheng understood. Now that Pang Ban straight out said he intends to treat Shen Hao as the future pillar of the Xuanqing Guard, Jiang Cheng really needs to keep a vigilant eye out, though he’s never believed there was anything off about Shen Hao.

"There’s another matter. Are your Black Water Scouts still safely hidden around the Imperial City?"

"Reporting to you, sir, they’re all safe. Mostly some non-tiered, unremarkable vagrants or petty thugs, and idle hands doing odd jobs in various households. Besides, they’re all old faces; wandering the streets and alleys every day, many people in the East City and West City know them, so no matter how chaotic things get outside, they remain secure."

"And those twins? Any news lately?"

"Bai Changqing has sided with Prince Ling, likely secretly sorting things within the Bai family. There’s word from Hao City that someone’s investigating the Xu Family Sisters. Previously, Shen Hao was very careful; they couldn’t possibly find anything, but we still must be more cautious. So lately things have quieted down around the Xu Family Sisters, we’ll reconnect when the heat’s off."

Pang Ban nodded. He didn’t ask further about the Black Water Scouts’ specifics, but instead took out a copper rod from the drawer, handing it to Jiang Cheng: "Let the Black Water people try looking for this person, and this insignia, in the Imperial City."

Jiang Cheng hurriedly took the copper rod and unfolded it. Inside were several portraits, as well as a finely drawn emblem.

The portraits were all of the same person, only from different angles—front, profile. The age depicted was somewhat unclear, but Jiang Cheng felt the face looked familiar. Yet those distinctly black-and-white eyes were so particular, so uncanny, that Jiang Cheng was certain if he’d met such a person, he’d never forget—maybe someone who just resembles the figure in the portrait?

As for the insignia, Jiang Cheng was sure he’d never seen it before. Oval, and unexpectedly nine stars forming a nine-pointed star, with what seemed to be an eye in the center.

This insignia looked extremely bizarre—what’s its origin?

And who is the person in the portraits?

"Feels familiar, does it? Hehe, his name is Yang Wenguang."

"Yang Wenguang?" Jiang Cheng frowned, quickly searching his memory—at first nothing matched, but suddenly a flash, a name that had always been a rumor in Jiang Cheng’s mind leapt forth. An inexplicable chill made the hairs on his back stand upright.

"Sir, this—this is Prince Jin?!"

Pang Ban didn’t speak, but nodded, indicating that Jiang Cheng had guessed correctly.

"Hiss...." Now Jiang Cheng understood why the portrait seemed familiar: it resembled His Majesty the Emperor by sixty or seventy percent!

Pang Ban raised his teacup and drank, giving Jiang Cheng some time to digest this explosive news.

Quite a while passed before Jiang Cheng recovered, throat dry, he urgently said: "Sir, Prince Jin isn’t dead? He’s returned?!"

"Correct. This message came from Your Majesty, so it can’t be wrong. Prince Jin isn’t just alive, it’s certain he’s currently within the Imperial City.

Moreover, according to His Majesty, Prince Jin’s cultivation is now in the Profound Sea Realm, and his methods may be unfathomable—so you must be mentally prepared."

"Prince Jin? Profound Sea Realm?!" Another shocking revelation. Of course, compared to Prince Jin being alive and in the Imperial City, this was almost nothing.

Pang Ban could thoroughly understand Jiang Cheng’s stunned expression. When he’d been summoned to Fuan Palace by the Emperor to learn of this, he’d been just as shocked and internally confused.

"Don’t publicize Prince Jin’s identity. Order your people to investigate, and if you find him, don’t act rashly—report immediately. Understood?"

"Understood." Jiang Cheng, though relieved, was still shaken; this news was too frightening. His mind was a mess, almost unreal. His Majesty is holding the ’Major Examination’ for the next heir, and just as the war against the Southern Barbarians breaks out—that’s already misfortune enough—and now a prince from the last generation appears out of nowhere?

What’s going on?

Jiang Cheng hurriedly left the Commander’s Office. His casual attitude toward the Imperial City’s excitement was gone. Black Water wasn’t under his direct command; he needed to find Wang Jian, who currently managed it, and personally arrange this matter. Besides, searching such a vast Imperial City was already hard enough—and this was a Profound Sea Realm cultivator. Could it be done? Jiang Cheng had no confidence.

Once Jiang Cheng left, the smile that had been hanging on Pang Ban’s face vanished.

Look past appearances to see the essence. For example, this time the Prince Jin information was thrown over directly by the Emperor, proving the Emperor had a separate intelligence network beside the Xuanqing Guard, and also showing Prince Jin’s movements weren’t just recently discovered. In other words, the Emperor has long kept a hidden threat, yet done nothing—or is it some reason prevents him from acting? He can only watch?

Furthermore, the Emperor’s command was ’secret investigation’—which means no publicity, must be covert, and even if found, no rash action. Why? Isn’t it normal to mobilize and eliminate the threat at once?

Finally, Pang Ban had earlier discovered the Emperor was constantly taking some soul-draining decoction, seemingly forcing himself to resist something, and the Emperor’s aura grew ever more chaotic—his soul fluctuating as well. Pang Ban understood: the Emperor likely wouldn’t live much longer.

So Pang Ban could see why both the Southern campaign and the ’Major Examination’ were progressing excessively fast. While nothing was obvious on the surface, Pang Ban was certain: the Emperor himself was driving these two matters.

Pang Ban even suspected the Emperor planned to wrap up both the Southern war and the Royal Family’s ’Major Examination’ before his lifespan ran out. For now, both were going smoothly.

But the news about Prince Jin seemed an unexpected variable. And the Emperor’s command for ’secret investigation’ surely involved other considerations.