I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon-Chapter 969 - 361: Chen Qianhu’s Grand Investigation! An Old Acquaintance?

Seeing Xu You's indifferent attitude, Chen Mo's mouth twitched.

If it were anyone else who dared to give him such a look, they'd have learned what it means to "wear small shoes"—being in constant trouble!

But facing Mr. Xu, he couldn't get angry at all; instead, he inexplicably felt a bit guilty...

Besides, Ye Zi'e's attitude was also strange. Although she was his superior, she hovered around Xu You all day, as if she were the subordinate.

"Could she be a young lady from some noble family, gaining experience out here?"

"And Xu You's name sounds so familiar. I'm sure I've heard it somewhere before, but I just can't remember where..."

Each time Chen Mo tried to ponder over this, his mind seemed clouded as if covered in a thin fog, always feeling like he was overlooking something important.

Knock knock knock—

At this moment, there was a knock on the door.

County Magistrate Ji's voice came from outside: "Sir, the hour is getting late. We should prepare to depart."

Chen Mo glanced out the window, seeing that twilight was setting in.

"Forget it, no more thinking about it. Let's get the main task done first."

"Households Commander Ye, we'll split up this time..."

Chen Mo gave simple instructions, and Ye Zi'e nodded, "Okay, let's do as you say."

Creak—

The door opened.

Chen Mo stepped out, saying, "Let's go."

Ji Weifeng looked at him and the two behind him, curious, "Only the three of you? Aren't the other officials coming?"

"They've already had dinner. Weary from the journey, they wanted to rest early, so they won't be coming along," Chen Mo explained.

"Alright then." Ji Weifeng didn't ask further.

Arriving at the government office entrance, there were two sedan chairs parked by the street, originally prepared for the two commanders.

Chen Mo boarded one, and Li Yuan followed suit. Even though the other sedan was empty, Ji Weifeng, like Fire Department official Song Xuan, chose to ride a horse instead.

"Lift the sedan."

The porters gave a shout, lifting the sedan chair and heading toward the eastern part of town.

After everyone left, three Tusi emerged from the doorway.

Watching the figures gradually disappear at the end of the street, Xu You narrowed her eyes, a cold gleam flashing in her gaze.

Ye Zi'e asked softly, "Empress, have you discerned anything?"

"No rush, let's follow Chen Mo's plan for now." Xu You said calmly, with hands behind her back, "Leave one person to guard the government office, ready to receive messages at any time. You and I will prepare to support outside the city."

"Yes." Ye Zi'e nodded in agreement.

Leaving Lu Shuyuan to stay behind, the two of them swiftly departed.

The sedan chair smoothly traveled along the cobblestone road, as Chen Mo hooked the curtain with his finger, surveying the surrounding scenery.

Li Yuan sat beside him, inquiring, "Sir, have you noticed anything unusual?"

"No, and that's the biggest anomaly," Chen Mo frowned slightly, "If the intelligence Households Commander Ye obtained is accurate, then Fengmu County is indeed one of the strongholds of the Gu God Sect, but what is their reason for choosing this place?"

"It's a remote backwater, isolated and inaccessible, located at the border of two states and backed by continuous barren mountains, over seven hundred miles from the nearest county town. Sending a message is incredibly difficult, hardly suitable for expanding sect power."

"Unless..."

His words paused.

Li Yuan pressed on, "Unless what?"

Chen Mo spoke in a deep voice, "Unless what the Gu God Sect values is precisely this—under the sky far from the emperor, no matter how many people die, it won't cause a ripple."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's expression also grew solemn.

After a brief moment of consideration, he spoke up, "If the Li Family does indeed have issues, by us heading over so ostentatiously, won't we alert the enemy?"

"That's exactly the effect we want." Chen Mo sneered, "They are in the shadows while we are in the light. To take the initiative, we must also expose them to the sunlight..."

Since entering the city, he hadn't hidden his identity.

And all day today, Li Yuan had been wandering around the city with people.

If the Gu God Sect members were hiding here, they surely would have received the news, they might come to probe their intentions, or find ways to cover up their identities... No matter what action they take, as long as they move, they will show a flaw.

...

...

About the time of an incense stick later, the sedan chair slowly stopped.

Chen Mo stepped down, only to see a lavish estate before him, with white walls and black tiles, staggered eaves, and an impressive, wide entrance guarded by two meticulously polished stone lions, spotless and shining.

At this moment, the entrance was adorned with a row of red lanterns, people bustling about, laughter and chatter filling the air, with the sound of strings and bamboo resonating from the courtyard.

Ji Weifeng dismounted, tied the reins, and approached, saying, "The previous feasts over the past few days were held in the tavern, where citizens of the city could join without registration, taking any available seat and having their fill of food and drink. Today is the main banquet, specially organized here in the estate; almost everyone influential in the city has gathered..."

Chen Mo shook his head and sighed, "This Li Family estate is much grander than your county government."

Ji Weifeng looked a bit embarrassed but honestly said, "The Changfeng Escort Agency is no small scale, with branches across many places in Tiannan State, and the annual donations they make are not a trivial amount of silver, definitely wealthier than our government office."

"Oh, County Magistrate Ji, I've been eagerly waiting for your arrival."

At this moment, a powerful voice sounded.

Chen Mo looked up to see a tall, burly man approaching, striding like a dragon and stepping like a tiger, exuding an extraordinary presence.

Although his temples were already graying, he was vigorous and spirited, his bright eyes like cold stars, making it hard to determine his exact age at first glance.

"Grandmaster Li, congratulations." Ji Weifeng greeted with cupped hands.

"Oh, it's fine for others to joke about that, but with you joining in makes me feel unworthy!" the burly man laughed.