Chapter 1034: Web of Doubt
Chen Jianchou had survived, but he had a grim realization that his cover was blown. Not being able to return to the Green Phoenix Guard was secondary. The real problem was that he had alarmed the enemy. Thus, he could no longer continue the investigation and had to close the net early before Sikong Guang destroyed all evidence.
It was too late to seek out Xu Jiaorong now, so Chen Jianchou could only place his trust in Chen Jianqiu and tell her everything.
Naturally, Chen Jianqiu would never let such a chance slip away. Although it was Qi Xuansu who had tasked Chen Jianchou with this investigation, he had only done so because Chen Jianqiu reached him through Qi Muyu.
After conferring briefly with the Black Robes General, Chen Jianchou decided to open the tomb immediately to investigate.
When the tomb opened, the scattered remains of the living corpses left everyone stunned because such abominations should not exist in Thanglong Prefecture, right under the Poluo Daoist Mansion’s nose.
Just as the Black Robes prepared to enter the underground tunnel, a tremor shook the ground below.
The commander instantly reacted. “They’ve collapsed the tunnel!”
Chen Jianchou said, “These living corpses are evidence enough. We must report this to the Daoist Mansion at once. Surely, they won’t stay silent now, especially when the tunnel has already been excavated.”
But Chen Jianqiu shook her head. “Second Deputy Qi isn’t in the Sheji Palace right now. It would seem disproportionate and suspicious if Great Sage Lan were to intervene merely because of a few living corpses.”
Chen Jianchou immediately understood her implication. “We’ve only startled Sikong Guang and his backers. But if Great Sage Lan himself intervenes, it’ll alarm certain people within the Daoist Mansion as well. That’s why the Great Sage won’t step in, and we can’t approach him either. Doing so would only ruin his and Second Deputy Qi’s strategy.”
Chen Jianqiu nodded. “Exactly. Even if we report now, it will fall into Chief Deputy Chen’s hands. In name, she’ll lead the investigation, but that gives her every excuse to exclude us or delay the inquiry indefinitely, trapping us in our own web. So, I think we shouldn’t report it yet and wait until Second Deputy Qi returns.”
Chen Jianchou pondered deeply. This was the best course of action. Having Great Sage Lan intervene would draw too much attention. But Qi Xuansu was different. Everyone already knew he had come to Poluo with a special mission, so it was expected that he would stir the waters. As such, his involvement in this matter would seem entirely reasonable.