Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Flawless
Su Muyao finished drawing and looked at Yun Qinglan, "Do you recognize them?"
Yun Qinglan’s gaze was cold and composed, "I do recognize a few. This is Steward Shi, a first-class steward of the Inner City. This is one of the Thirteen Elders, and this is Leng Feng, the vice-captain of the Guard Team specifically tasked with protecting me..."
Yun Qinglan pointed out several people he recognized one by one.
Su Muyao’s expression also grew serious, "They... they all want to harm you?"
"Weren’t all the Xuanyuan Clan’s spies previously exposed and dealt with?"
"Moreover, isn’t the Xuanyuan Clan supposed to value you a lot? Why are there still such people who want your life and intend to ruin your reputation?"
At this moment, Su Muyao’s voice was cold and her expression was stern and grave.
If it really was a dream warning, Su Muyao felt fortunate for such a warning to prevent danger in advance.
Yun Qinglan’s face wasn’t looking good either, he reached out to hold Su Muyao’s hand, calming her, "Don’t be angry."
"I think the former spies may have seized the opportunity to lie low."
"Or perhaps they decided to sacrifice part of their number to save others when they saw that they couldn’t destroy the Xuanyuan Clan."
"This vice-captain, Leng Feng, was only promoted after killing several spies and enemies to earn merit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have had the qualification to join the Guard Team."
"The Inner City Guard Team is selected and formed from young beastmen who have been loyally devoted for generations."
"But over twenty years ago, the Xuanyuan Clan’s elite guards suffered numerous casualties, and with insufficient numbers and strength, the criteria had to be relaxed to select people from the Outer City. Leng Feng was just an ordinary beastman then, only selected for the Guard Team because of his meritorious deeds, and later became vice-captain step by step."
After arriving at the Xuanyuan clan, Yun Qinglan examined the detailed profiles of everyone around him.
Additionally, he had a photographic memory, so once he had read through, he remembered everything.
Including each person’s characteristics and traits.
"Leng Feng seldom speaks, works steadily, doesn’t stand out or act aggressively, and he doesn’t form factions. Everyone in the team has a very good impression of him."
"Previously, the main captain got injured while hunting and nearly died from a Mutated Beast attack. It was Leng Feng who saved him; the team’s faith in Leng Feng’s ability was strong. After the captain retired, Leng Feng stepped up as captain."
"Moreover, many of the tasks within the Guard Team are now entrusted to him."
"Had it not been for your words, I would never have doubted him."
Of course, in Yun Qinglan’s heart, the person he trusted most was Su Muyao, above anyone else.
He tapped his finger on the table, pondering, "However, whether it’s his background, personality, or ability, they all seem too perfect, without a single flaw, which is indeed suspicious."
"Last time when we went hunting, the team made adequate preparations and shouldn’t have encountered a Mutated Beast Tide, but it happened anyway."
"He didn’t make a single mistake."
"I could use forceful means to interrogate him, but by doing so, we’d be at a disadvantage, unable to silence the public’s whispers."
He wasn’t worried about his own reputation, nor did he care whether he could be the Young Master of the Xuanyuan Clan. He was concerned about not being able to give Yaoyao everything she wanted.
He also worried it might affect her reputation.
Su Muyao smiled and said, "That’s simple, if he can use the Beast Tide against his captain, we can frame him."
"For instance, embezzlement."
"The fact that Leng Feng has no weaknesses or preferences is enough to raise suspicion. If people hear he’s embezzling, it’ll seem plausible."
"Moreover, with your Guard Team’s captain soon retiring, I’m sure someone will be eyeing the captain spot."
Yun Qinglan smiled elegantly, "Yaoyao’s ideas are indeed effective."
"So, what’s the deal with this Thirteen Elder?"
Yun Qinglan explained, "He was also promoted because of the severe casualties among Clan Leaders at the time, and the lack of Clan Elders. Ordinarily, this Thirteen Elder is like an invisible man, seldom involving himself in matters due to his insufficient strength, only taking on odd jobs."
"Then there’s Steward Shi, he is the grandson of Seventh Elder, who sacrificed himself to protect the Xuanyuan Clan. Even in death, their line holds significant prestige in the clan, so dealing with Steward Shi isn’t easy."
Su Muyao pondered, "If Steward Shi really is Seventh Elder’s grandson, he wouldn’t collaborate with enemies. Maybe he has a weakness being exploited, or he isn’t the real Steward Shi."
After some discussion, Yun Qinglan and Su Muyao immediately summoned a few trusted Hidden Guards to investigate discreetly.
Su Muyao no longer felt sleepy; she retrieved some herbs from her space and began concocting elixirs.
Su Muyao crafted some unique elixirs that could be conveniently used for interrogating these people to make them tell the truth.
On her way to the Xuanyuan Clan, she had passed through some forests and gathered quite a few spirit treasure medicinal materials.
Additionally, while she was with her master, her master had collected many ancient spirit treasure medicinal materials with potent effects, ideal for crafting highly effective elixirs.
...
Yun Qinglan acted swiftly, and the next day found an excuse saying he lost some things. Through interrogation, someone mentioned seeing Leng Feng acting suspiciously and hiding things recently. Leng Feng denied it, so Yun Qinglan immediately arranged for a search of his residence.
Soon enough, they found not only many Spirit Stones but also Yun Qinglan’s missing items.
Yun Qinglan immediately ordered Leng Feng captured.
Leng Feng’s expression changed drastically, not understanding how things turned out this way. He kept protesting his innocence, not comprehending who framed him.
He had laid low for so many years flawlessly, and was just about to become captain, able to carry out missions assigned by his master.
This mission was crucial; once completed, he could earn great merit in the Bright Hall.
He would have a chance to enter the Inner Hall, gaining power, status, and the ability to cultivate the Immortality Technique.
"Young Master, I am innocent, someone is deliberately framing me, falsely accusing me."
"I am loyal to the Young Master, I would never embezzle anything, let alone steal from you."
Yun Qinglan observed Leng Feng, no longer his usual composed and calm self, now flustered, a faint smile gracing his lips, "Leng Feng, I’d like to believe you, but these are the facts, not to mention, you were the only one in my chamber this morning to report."
"Take him away and interrogate him."
Leng Feng was sent to the specialized Punishment Hall for interrogation, with Yun Qinglan personally overseeing it.
At first, Leng Feng stubbornly refused to speak, enduring every punishment without a word.
Yun Qinglan casually remarked, "I didn’t expect you to withstand so many punishments, Leng Feng."
"This makes me suspect you’ve undergone special training."
Leng Feng’s face changed; it was true that before being sent here, he underwent extensive training to withstand various methods.
Out of every hundred beastmen spies, only one could survive.
And he was the only one who survived from his batch.
"Young Master, I don’t know what you are implying. I only know that I won’t admit to something I haven’t done."
"Is that so? Well then, do you recall what you discussed with Thirteen Elder last month in midmonth, or do you need me to remind you?"
While questioning, Yun Qinglan meticulously watched Leng Feng’s expression.
When Thirteen Elder was mentioned, Leng Feng’s eyes subtly changed, yet even such a slight change was caught by Yun Qinglan.
His Yaoyao was right; they truly were problematic.
If not for Yaoyao, something would have happened to either him or the Xuanyuan Clan on the day of the ritual.
These people were incredibly well-hidden.