CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 29: ZHAO THE BAD MAN

Peng Xian walked over, sat down in front of the man, and said, "Chairman Zhao, what a coincidence, you’re here today too!"

This middle-aged man’s surname is Zhao, with the name Hai Zhen, and now he uses this name while serving as a director in a modestly sized company. As for his original name, Peng Xian does not know.

Because he speaks with a bit of a hometown accent, saying "Hai Zhen" always sounds like "Bad Man," he’s nicknamed Zhao the Bad Man in private, though no one calls him that to his face.

In ancient times, many sorcerers had a daoist name, but in modern society, many Magic Sect disciples simply use their real name; those familiar online even use only their usernames. Only when reaching Tier Four is a daoist name bestowed by a teacher.

Zhao Hai Zhen is merely a Tier Three "Yin Yang Practitioner" of the Alchemy Sect but uses his daoist name daily and even his online name is "Hai Zhen", seemingly believing he will eventually promote above Level 4.

Zhao Hai Zhen didn’t exchange any pleasantries, his face set like water, "Today is not a chance encounter, I heard you booked a place to entertain guests here, I’ve specifically come to find you."

Peng Xian: "What’s the matter, Chairman Zhao?"

Zhao Hai Zhen: "In this setting, you should call me Senior Brother."

Peng Xian: "What business does Senior Brother Hai Zhen have?"

Zhao Hai Zhen raised his hand and swung the knife, the blade tracing a delicate arc in the air, slicing a thin piece of marbled rib meat, lifting it with the tip of the knife, his gaze like an awl, "Let me ask you first, what brings you here?"

Peng Xian wanted to reply, "Here to entertain," but seeing the other’s gaze and the knife in his hand, he had to explain, "I heard a rumor some time ago that there might be clues of a Hidden Moth’s activities here, so I came for that. Haven’t you come too?"

Zhao Hai Zhen shook his head, "My junior brother Liang Kai is here for that, not me, I’m here to investigate the death of my junior brother."

Peng Xian feigned surprise, "I heard that Junior Brother Liang was only missing, has he already met a fatal end?"

Zhao Hai Zhen: "Didn’t you all inquire about the situation at the scene? Even my master believes his fate is dire. I came to Qi Yuan by my master’s orders to get to the bottom of this and apprehend the culprit."

Zhao Hai Zhen and Liang Kai share the same master, who is the Foreign Affairs Steward and Tier Five Sorcerer Wan Zhongle of the Alchemy Sect. The elders of each Magic Sect hold revered positions, rarely seen, whereas stewards are the ones managing daily affairs.

The Foreign Affairs Steward is not only responsible for trades and exchanges with other Magic Sects but also manages the Sect’s external assets, arranging work for disciples who are not adept at worldly matters, making it a lucrative and powerful role in the Alchemy Sect.

The sorcerers of the Alchemy Sect are most skilled at gathering, cultivating, and refining various spirit medicines, proficient in collecting and refining spiritual materials, second only to the Micro Realm Sect, often cooperating with them to refine Magical Artifacts.

Being the Foreign Affairs Steward, many people come to him for favors, and Wan Zhongle, in his position, maintains a level of discretion to show he does not exploit it for personal gain.

As a result, those seeking connections often try to establish relationships with Alchemy Sect sorcerers closely related to Wan Zhongle, especially his own disciples, so when help is needed, they have someone to pass on their request.

There is closeness and distance among disciples too, and Wan Zhongle’s most favored disciple is Liang Kai. Liang Kai benefitted much from this, so much so that rumors circulated privately that Liang Kai is Wan Zhongle’s illegitimate son.

With such a significant figure like Wan Zhongle backing him, Liang Kai inevitably developed a somewhat arrogant temperament, adept at various exploitative techniques. From another perspective, he seemed like a deliberate white glove cultivated by Steward Wan.

The news of the Hidden Moth’s activities in Qi Yuan was also proactively informed to Liang Kai, as a form of flattery.

This kid didn’t inform any other senior or junior brothers, he rushed to Qi Yuan alone, and something happened! Wan Zhongle ordered the disciple Zhao Hai Zhen to investigate and required Zhao Hai Zhen to capture the culprit.

Zhao Hai Zhen was quite upset, even suspecting that the rumor was true — that Liang Kai is indeed the master’s illegitimate son. The culprit is certainly the Hidden Moth, known for possessing incredible abilities and being so ruthless, which made him fearful too.

Yet he had no choice but to follow the master’s orders, thus his mood was not pleasant.

At this moment, Peng Xian asked another question that made him even more displeased, "Why doesn’t your master, Steward Wan, come in person?"

Zhao Hai Zhen stabbed the lamb’s belly with the small knife, frowned, and retorted, "The Earth Master has issued an order that no disciples of Tier Four and above from any Magic Sect are allowed to participate or intervene in Qi Yuan... don’t you know?"

Peng Xian: "I... really didn’t know!"

Zhao Hai Zhen snorted coldly, "It seems there are many things you are unaware of."

Heart Plate Skill Tier One, colloquially known as "Harvester."

Heart Plate Skill Tier Two, commonly known as "Knight."

Heart Plate Skill Tier Three, self-proclaimed "Traveler."

Heart Plate Skill Tier Four, jokingly called "Merchant."

Heart Plate Skill Tier Five, nicknamed "Jianghu People."

Heart Plate Skill Tier Six, respectfully called "Earth Master."

No matter which technique is cultivated to Tier Six, one automatically gains the identity of a Magic Sect Elder.

This includes the "Physician" of the Observing Body Sect, the "Artifact Master" of the Micro Realm Sect, the "Illusion Master" of the Xingshen Sect, the "Earth Master" of the Heart Plate Sect, the "Master" of the Qi Observation Sect, the "Pharmacist" of the Alchemy Sect, the "Calculator" of the Lingxi Sect.

Speaking of the Earth Master, Peng Xian naturally thought of Elder Gu Chun of the Heart Plate Sect, who is currently the only Tier Six Cultivator known to practice the Heart Plate Skill. The elders rarely show themselves, yet they hold the authority to command and supervise the disciples under their sects.

But Gu Chun is an elder of the Heart Plate Sect, so why can he command the sorcerers of the Alchemy Sect? In fact, any sect’s elder can command all disciples of the Magic Sect as long as it’s in the name of the Ancestral Hall and follows the ancient sect laws...

The Magic Sect elders form a small circle called the Ancestral Hall, where in principle any willing elder can become a member. However, most elders are reluctant to be entangled in mundane affairs, and usually each Magic Sect appoints only one elder as a representative.

If a Magic Sect has many elders, they could take turns being appointed; but in the case of the Heart Plate Sect, where there’s currently only Elder Gu Chun in the open, the responsibility falls entirely on him.

Any elder can issue commands to the entire Magic Sect in the name of the Ancestral Hall, as long as the other elders do not oppose.

It’s somewhat like an executive committee, where every elder is a board member. A board member can order any Magic Sect, and as long as no one opposes, it passes.

If there are disagreements among the board members, they need to discuss and negotiate. However, the average disciple knows little about such matters, and the leaders wouldn’t report arguments to subordinates, only the resolution once it’s reached.

Thus, typically, people only hear that certain elder has issued orders to various Magic Sects.

Peng Xian has long been busy in the Jianghu with business, and was not closely connected with Xingshen Sect’s core, or simply put, he was only a peripheral figure with limited cultivation and no significant status.

This time, Elder Gu from the Heart Plate Sect issued orders that no disciples above Tier Four should involve themselves in the Qi Yuan Hidden Moth affair. The communication extended only to Tier Four sorcerers of each sect, so low-tier disciples like Peng Xian wouldn’t be specifically informed.

Zhao Hai Zhen is only a Tier Three Sorcerer, so there was no need for the Magic Sect to notify him either. However, his master holds high status, making him well-informed and thus learning about it almost immediately.

Upon hearing this, Peng Xian realized a lot of things at once, secretly lamenting in his heart: Despite the orders from the Magic Sect elders, that Steward Wan seemed to pay only lip service, dispatching Zhao Hai Zhen regardless.

Under the guise of investigating the cause of a disciple’s death, no one could fault him, but Wan Zhongle also ordered Zhao Hai Zhen to capture the culprit. At first glance, it seems reasonable, but it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

The culprit was clearly the Hidden Moth, so capturing the Hidden Moth meant what? Naturally, it indicated that the Hidden Moth Object would fall into the hands of that Steward Wan... Wan Zhongle couldn’t come himself, yet he didn’t give up.

Thinking of this, Peng Xian asked, "Who exactly is the culprit? Does Brother Hai Zhen have any leads?"

Zhao Hai Zhen replied, "Junior Brother Peng has been planning for a long time and should know more than I do. I’m here today to seek your advice."

Peng Xian smiled bitterly and said, "I’ve been busy with my advancement ceremony recently, but unfortunately, it was all in vain, so I haven’t been able to involve myself in this matter."

Zhao Hai Zhen sneered, "I don’t like to hear that from you, Junior Brother Peng. The young fellow sitting at the same table with you earlier, his name is He Kao, and his father’s name is Zhou Du, who should have been the Hidden Moth twenty years ago.

I heard some Magic Sect colleagues have been targeting him, believing he’s the current Hidden Moth. Someone even broke into his room with a gun at night, but this kid called the police, and then my Junior Brother was killed.

I’ve also heard you run a company that has long been cooperating with the company this kid is in, especially focusing on his department, with many social activities organized. Two months ago, you even took them swimming at a club, and today you hosted a whole lamb roast.

You call this not being involved? After all I’ve checked, you’re the one who’s plotted the earliest and longest. Today, I don’t want to ask anything else. The room where my Junior Brother was harmed is right below He Kao’s apartment, and you’ve been watching He Kao for a long time. It’s impossible for you to have found nothing!"

In his heart, Peng Xian exclaimed—Misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding!

He indeed plotted early, but hadn’t the energy to participate lately, and he wasn’t targeting He Kao but his superior, Gao Xue’e... But he couldn’t explain this to Zhao Hai Zhen, as some details couldn’t be disclosed.

Peng Xian had no choice but to explain, "I did come to investigate the whereabouts of the Hidden Moth upon hearing rumors, but as you know, everyone got it wrong, mistaking that kid He Kao for the Hidden Moth, and Junior Brother Liang’s affair actually proved he isn’t.

As for today’s whole lamb roast, I had booked it a long time ago. Whether or not the Hidden Moth was found, business still has to go on, everyone needs to earn a living."

Zhao Huai Zhen mocked, "You seem to be enjoying your meal quite a bit. I heard you made quite a fortune on live streaming recently."

Peng Xian quickly waved his hand, "No such thing happened, the logistics got stripped, and I haven’t even tidied up the loose ends yet!"

Zhao Hai Zhen said, "No need to deny in haste. I’m not here to borrow money! I just want to ask, on what basis do you think that kid He Kao isn’t the Hidden Moth?"

Peng Xian replied, "Because when Junior Brother Liang had his incident, that kid with the last name He wasn’t even on the scene. The situation at the time was easy to verify; he was in the restaurant dining, with many people able to testify he never disappeared."

Zhao Huai Zhen shook his head, "The Hidden Moth is just one person, but isn’t necessarily a fixed person. He Kao could have been the Hidden Moth; otherwise, how could so many of you and my Junior Brother have gotten it wrong?

But once someone steals the Hidden Moth Object, the Hidden Moth changes hands. I suspect someone stole the object and was caught by my Junior Brother Liang, prompting the new Hidden Moth to kill my Junior Brother to keep their identity hidden!"

Peng Xian was taken aback, taking several seconds to regain his composure before saying, "This... there’s indeed such a possibility!"

Zhao Hai Zhen continued, "So the key issue is, who stole the Hidden Moth Object? You know He Kao quite well and have been watching him for a long time. Could you tell me who might be the suspect?"

As he said this, those who had been secretly observing He Kao during this time, including Peng Xian, all actually became suspects!

Peng Xian didn’t know how to respond when suddenly an abrupt voice called out, "What Nephew Zhao says makes sense, and I would like to ask the same question addressed to Liang Kai. Since Liang Kai is no longer here, I’ll ask you two instead!"

As the voice spoke, a woman unexpectedly stepped out from the back room.

**