Chapter 1136: Advancing on Three Fronts
Lin Qingcheng received a notice that he was to undergo routine questioning by Fengxian Hall. At first, he let his guard down, since many people were being questioned. Aside from several Deputy Mansion Masters, nearly everyone in the Poluo Daoist Mansion had been involved. The stated reason was matters related to the Nanyang United Trading Company.
The Nanyang United Trading Company was rumored to be the Daoist Mansion’s money pouch, and not without basis. Many Daoists had dirty dealings with the Company. Most people were relieved that only minor issues surfaced while Sage Qi was stationed in Lion City. At worst, it meant a demerit.
If things ended here, it would mean Sage Qi and Sage Wang had reached a compromise, not punishing the masses. Though the matter appeared serious, the Daoist Mansion remained calm, and nearly everyone questioned chose to cooperate.
Aside from Wang Jiaohe, Qi Xuansu, Xu Jiaorong, and Xie Jiaofeng, all other Deputy Mansion Masters’ secretaries were placed under review. Lin Qingcheng, being one of them, found this perfectly reasonable. After all, Qi Xuansu could not possibly replace the entire Daoist Mansion’s leadership in one sweep.
Qi Xuansu and Xu Jiaorong were the masterminds behind the investigation, so no one would question them. Mansion Master Wang also could not be touched without hard evidence. Xie Jiaofeng was exempt because that old fox had already aligned himself with Qi Xuansu. He was originally connected to Sage Donghua anyway, so he managed to avoid trouble this round.
Zheng Jiaohe’s secretary was the first to be questioned. The moment he stepped into the room, he sensed something was off. There were Spirit Guards present. Still, he did not overthink it, not until he saw Yao Pei inside. He instantly realized the problem. How could a Daoist prodigy personally intervene in something this trivial?
Moments later, Zheng Jiaohe’s secretary was arrested.
By this point, no one even thought of the Lion City riots. Instead, everyone assumed Qi Xuansu intended to strike at Zheng Jiaohe. It made sense. Zheng Jiaohe had offended Sage Qi back then. Even if Sage Qi and Sage Wang had reached a compromise, someone still had to serve as the scapegoat, and Zheng Jiaohe seemed like the perfect candidate.
Zheng Jiaohe was terrified. He repeatedly went to Wang Jiaohe to report the situation, afraid of becoming an abandoned pawn.
Lin Qingcheng was last to be interrogated. He thought he would pass easily, until the moment he stepped in and saw Yao Pei’s expressionless face.
He had asked his colleagues about what to expect in these situations. Normally, only a few Fengxian Hall officers would conduct the interviews, and the atmosphere was relaxed.
Yao Pei’s presence was like a silent warning.