Chapter 119 - 91 Open and Aboveboard Meeting, Individual Investigations (8k)_2 - Master of Strange Dao - NovelsTime

Master of Strange Dao

Chapter 119 - 91 Open and Aboveboard Meeting, Individual Investigations (8k)_2

Author: Unsettling Youtiao
updatedAt: 2025-09-21

Sure, here is the translated text:

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Yu Ziqing was captured, and in the midst of it, something happened that angered the forbidden area of Jinlan Mountain. Inside the forbidden area, it was unclear which powerful being or method was used, but a Great Divine Power was unleashed.

Naturally, Su Li knew all about this in detail.

He even knew about the Lonely Peak in the Northern Border of Dazhen, and the Shadow Department already had it on record.

"We are all just trying to survive, but there are always those who don't want us to live."

Yu Ziqing pointed to the side, where in the corridor below, a heap of broken doors and shattered windows were placed.

"This is what the person who came to capture me last time left behind. I've always kept it, just waiting for Brother Su to come and take a look."

Saying this, Yu Ziqing took out two pieces of paper. One had a drawing of a Jade Mirror, and the other a metallic mask.

"A person wearing a metallic mask used this kind of Jade Mirror magical treasure. He could step into the mirror and traverse out of Cece's domain. I'm quite certain he isn't from the White Sun Evil Cult. Brother Su can take a look at these things and see if there's anything you recognize."

Seeing the simple drawing composed only of lines, Su Li's expression started to become serious.

"Furthermore, Brother Su, I've already received some information. I can confirm with absolute certainty that the person who leaked your whereabouts to outsiders was from within the Shadow Department."

Su Li's face darkened as he stood up, walked over to the pile of broken doors and shattered windows on the ground, crouched down, and carefully examined the marks. Especially the door, which had very distinct signs of corrosion, as if some force had silently dissolved it away.

He reached out his hand to touch the broken edge, although the remnants of the power had long dissipated. Just by looking at the effect, it was sufficient to make a rough judgment.

A moment later, he sat back down.

"It seems Brother Su already has a rough target in mind?"

"Indeed, the mask is that of the Faceless Man of Dazhen, but considering the situation in Dazhen, it's all too easy for a few masks to end up elsewhere. The Shadow Department currently has some. As for this Jade Mirror, it's a replica crafted by the Shadow Department based on the Shadow Great Mirror. However, its strongest capability is different, it only assists with escape skills. To traverse out of Cece's domain, at least the Jade Mirror in the hands of the Eight Shadow Envoys would be required."

Saying this, Su Li produced a Jade Mirror identical to the one depicted. He turned the mirror over, and at the handle position on the back, there was the number seventeen. This was the Jade Mirror he was assigned after being promoted to Shadow Envoy.

"And the ability to silently corrode formations and the power to dissolve a door, indeed, someone within the Shadow Department has practiced such a Dharma Method. Moreover, he was once one of the Eight Shadow Envoys. He failed in advancing his realm, causing his Qi-Blood to begin declining, and he stepped down. I am now in the position he vacated. He previously had access to information on my whereabouts. He would also have had the capability to make that door turn into its current state, and had a replica Jade Mirror in hand. He wasn't even in the Imperial City when Brother Qing had his incident."

People capable of doing something like this were few in number, when all conditions matched, it pointed almost plainly to the person.

Upon hearing this, Yu Ziqing's expression remained unchanged as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"Is Brother Su basically certain it's this person?"

"The one who matches all the conditions within the Shadow Department is him, the retired Shadow Envoy, Ji Bochang." Su Li also lifted his teacup and began drinking calmly.

The two slowly savored their tea, staying silent for a while. Suddenly, they both set down their cups, exchanged a glance, and started laughing together.

"Seems Brother Su and I are thinking the same thing?"

"What does Brother Qing think?"

"If I didn't know that Ji Bochang's Qi-Blood was failing and he had retired, and that Brother Su had succeeded his position, I would also believe it was him. But, considering what Brother Su mentioned, I find it suspicious how convenient it is, leaving so many clues. Anyone in the Shadow Department doing a simple investigation would point to him. Instead, I feel it's not him, or that he is merely a scapegoat. What does Brother Su think?"

"From my understanding of Lord Ji and of the Shadow Department, I believe it's a frame-up."

Su Li let out a cold chuckle.

"Because, in the Shadow Department, few can meet a good end. Even if Ji Bochang were added to the list, what would be so peculiar about it? Being a Shadow Envoy, you make countless enemies throughout your life; now that he has failed to advance and lost his position, if a rival quietly killed him someday, it wouldn't be surprising. Yet, after Ji Bochang retired, leading a secluded life to recuperate his health, no significant enemies took advantage of the situation to strike. I don't believe he had no enemies who considered him a thorn in their side. Having served as a Shadow Envoy for so many years, how could he have no enemies?"

Yu Ziqing appeared pensive. This was part of the reason he previously hadn't wanted to disclose this matter to Uncle Fu. Because telling Uncle Fu, and him passing the information to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince there definitely wouldn't personally get involved. Most it would reach Emperor Li. And with this going around and back, it ultimately came down to the Shadow Department.

Capturing Qing Ziyu, strictly speaking, might not even count as betrayal against Emperor Li. Even colluding with the Evil Dao, whether it was deemed so or not, was subject to Emperor Li's judgment. Hence, how to eventually handle it wouldn't consider his thoughts or opinions but rather stand from Emperor Li's and Dali's perspectives, analyzing whether the matter was beneficial or harmful.

And for this Ji Bochang, who was already retiring, following the traditions of the Shadow Department, not ending well. You see, tsk, how ordinary.

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