Itâs important to know that wearing gold robes in the Imperial City is a privilege reserved for Dao Realm cultivators.
Moreover, their identities are thoroughly checked.
Therefore... this makes the Shadow Guardians even more terrifying.
"Not for now. Today, Lord Ying went to the Imperial Palace. I suppose weâll have to wait for her return."
The servant spoke slowly.
"By the way, have you found out who spread the rumors?"
"No!"
The gold-robed figure shook his head and said, "And you know, for us in the Three Judicial Departments, weâre just figureheads. Any action, and Zhan Tian will torment us relentlessly."
"Moreover, given Zhan Tianâs relationship with Liu Sheng, the Three Judicial Departments wonât investigate."
Though itâs known that Liu Sheng did it, without evidence, itâs useless.
After all, Liu Shengâs status isnât something that can be challenged with mere words.
"Keep a close watch. Last time someone infiltrated us, their identity shouldnât have been exposed, right?"
"It shouldnât have! Besides, Zhan Tian likely wonât investigate him."
"Should we have him investigate secretly?"
The gold robe inquired.
"Itâs possible, but only if his identity remains undisclosed."
After pondering for a moment, the servant responded.
"Understood, Iâll remind him."
The servant then stood up and left the elegant room.
"A Shadow Guardian managed to slip in, even Zhan Tian doesnât know."
"As for the other Shadow Guardians, he probably knows all of them."
From a crack in the window, Chen Xuan analyzed in his mind.
However, he now had a plan in mind.
Half an hour later, the three left the tavern, two heading in one direction wearing white robes, and the gold robe going alone.
Transformed into a Thunder Spirit Mosquito, Chen Xuan immediately followed the gold robe.
As twilight began to fall, the gold robe was exceedingly cautious in a small alleyway.
Spiritual Power released continuously, always checking the surroundings.
Chen Xuan maintained a distance of a kilometer.
When they reached the gate of a small courtyard, the gold robeâs figure flickered and entered the courtyard.
Moments later, Chen Xuan flew to the courtyardâs gate.
Then, Chen Xuan flew through a crack.
Upon entering the courtyard, he immediately heard the voice of the gold-robed man.
"Investigate secretly, be sure not to expose your identity."
"If it doesnât work out, then abandon it!"
"Itâs very difficult!"
The voice surprised Chen Xuan.
So familiar.
Itâs... Zongzheng!
"How is he part of the Shadow Guardians?"
Chen Xuan was deeply shocked; the Shadow Guardiansâ concealment ran so deep.
"Wu Yue has already ordered that no one is allowed to interfere with this matter, or else theyâll be expelled from the Three Judicial Departments!"
Zongzheng spoke in a solemn tone.
Now, if he takes action to investigate, his identity will undoubtedly be exposed.
"Is that so.... Then letâs not act for now."
"Your identity is more important than this."
The gold robe immediately gave up on the idea of having him investigate.
After all, they were publicly known in the Three Judicial Departments, while Zongzheng worked in secret, and might be unexpectedly useful in the future.
"Alright, I need to leave quickly."
The gold-robed man hurriedly left the courtyard as night fell.
"Phewâ"
In the room, Zongzheng collapsed onto a chair beside him.
He thought he would spend his life in Molan Mansion.
If he didnât come to the Imperial City, Shadow Guardians would never have contacted him purposefully in his life.
But now... "Sigh!"
Leaning heavily against the chair, he sighed deeply.
He deeply regretted accepting the benefits from the Shadow Guardians back then. Now, his elder brother was highly valued by Zhan Tian.
He was even viewed as a candidate for the next Minister of the Three Judicial Departments.
But he had become a Shadow Guardian, secretly monitoring.
"Brother..."
Zongzheng gazed at the ceiling, murmuring softly.
"This makes things difficult."
Chen Xuan pondered to himself. Originally, his plan was to kill this man and take his place.
To lend Zhan Tian a hand.
But unexpectedly... itâs Zongzheng.
This really posed a dilemma for him.
After all, he had some connections, and he always thought well of Qin Ke.
"However, if Old Man Zhan finds out about this... perhaps heâll be so angry heâd spit blood."
Chen Xuan mused within.
He valued Zong Peng so much, but in the end... Zongzheng was a Shadow Guardian.
This truly was a loud slap in the old manâs face.
"Forget it, letâs find another from the Three Judicial Departments."
After struggling with the decision, Chen Xuan ultimately decided not to target Zongzheng, and then flew away.
...
"Would this identity work?"
At the gate of the Three Judicial Departments, a somewhat young man, dressed in white.
This was Murong Chuan, a member of the Ye Family.
Chen Xuan had sent a message to Ye Jinghong the previous night, arranging for a position in the Three Judicial Departments, and finally choosing him.
As for himself, he was hiding within the Ye Family.
"Murong, you came early today?"
A similarly white-robed man approached him.
Chen Xuan slightly sifted through Murong Chuanâs memories and learned about the manâs general background.
"Brother Yan, isnât it a turbulent time now? Itâs better to be early than late."
He lowered his voice as he spoke, "Avoid causing trouble with the few lords, that would be disastrous."
Yan Hong also nodded hurriedly, speaking in an equally low voice, "Indeed. With the fuss over the Shadow Guardians and Prince Xuan, who knows how itâll end."
"Just yesterday, many wanted to pry information out of me."
"I dared not utter a single word."
"Thatâs right. These days itâs best to keep oneâs mouth shut."
"Lord Wu Yue has clearly stated, no investigating, no discussion."
Chen Xuan added.
"Sigh!"
Yan Hong took a long sigh, "When lords fight, itâs the children who suffer."
"Shh!"
Chen Xuan nudged his arm and pointed into the distance.
It was none other than Zong Peng.
Soon, he arrived beside the two.
"Greetings, Lord Zong Peng."
They spoke in unison.
"What are you standing here for? Get inside!"
"Yes!"
Then Zong Peng was the first to enter the Three Judicial Departments.
"Unexpectedly, he has reached the third level of the Dao Realm, and isnât far from the fourth."
Watching Zong Peng, Chen Xuan felt quite surprised.
Initially, he hadnât considered his Martial Dao aptitude exceptionally high, it was just decent.
But unexpectedly, coming to the Imperial City, his cultivation advanced quickly!