95: Undercurrents among Beijing's top brass

The night was as dark as ink, and on the giant chessboard of the capital, a stone that would disrupt the entire game silently fell.

Li Dong, through Inspector Zhou's secret channels, released a carefully selected portion of 'explosive revelations.'

The content did not involve the core Dragon Vein plan, but it was enough to cause trouble for certain individuals.

For a time, beneath the surface of the capital, undercurrents surged violently.

"Have you heard? It seems something...unclean has happened at the Demon Suppression Headquarters."

"More than unclean! I heard it's related to that deadly 'Soul-Devouring Demon Flower'! And several Lords in the capital are implicated!"

"Hiss—where did this news come from? Is it accurate?"

"Who knows, it just spread. But, you know, there's no smoke without fire."

In teahouses and taverns, and in the secret rooms of mansions, similar whispers spread like a plague. The first to be shaken, naturally, was the Demon Suppression Headquarters itself.

In He Tianzheng's secret room, the atmosphere was so oppressive it could drip water.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!" He Tianzheng's voice was not loud, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness. "You can't even find the source of such a small matter?"

A trusted subordinate knelt on the ground, trembling: "Lord He, please calm your anger... The news seems to have appeared out of thin air. The source... the source is still being fully investigated, but the leads are very chaotic, as if... as if someone is deliberately muddying the waters."

He Tianzheng snorted coldly: "Muddying the waters? I'd like to see who has such great ability. What about Luo Yi? Tell him to control his people and not cause me trouble at this time!"

"Yes, Lord He. The message has already been sent to Lord Luo. It's just... some censors in court have already started to stir, and impeachment memorials are probably already on their way."

He Tianzheng's eyes narrowed slightly, a sinister glint flashing within them: "Let them impeach. Some insignificant trifles won't cause a big stir. Muddying the waters is good; let them investigate those unimportant details. As for the core matters, no one should even think of touching them!"

He knew in his heart that this disturbance was no accident. That 'Mu Feng,' who had hidden under his nose for so long, seemed to have some real tricks up his sleeve.

Within the Hidden Dragon Guard's station, discussions about 'Mu Feng' also exploded.

"Hey, have you heard? It's all over the capital, saying that in our Hidden Dragon Guard, an incredible figure named Mu Feng has emerged, exposing a huge conspiracy!" A well-informed member whispered mysteriously, lowering his voice.

Another person next to him widened his eyes: "Mu Feng? You mean that new guy, the simple-minded country bumpkin? Him? Exposing a conspiracy? Are you mistaken? Does he have the brains for that?"

"Who knows! But that's what's being said outside! They even say he holds crucial evidence, and even Lord He is... is finding him a bit troublesome!"

Wei Yan happened to walk in from outside and frowned upon hearing these discussions: "What gossip are you all spreading? Mu Feng? What could a newcomer like him know? These are just groundless rumors. Get back to work!"

Everyone immediately fell silent and dispersed. Wei Yan's gaze, however, lingered thoughtfully for a moment in the direction of Li Dong's small room. This Mu Feng was becoming increasingly inscrutable to him.

At the same time, deep within the Imperial City, several distinguished individuals also became interested in this suddenly appearing 'Mu Feng.'

Third Prince's residence.

"Your Highness, the matters of the Demon Suppression Headquarters are now being widely discussed in the capital. The source seems to point to a Hidden Dragon Guard member named 'Mu Feng,'" a strategist reported respectfully.

The young man referred to as "Your Highness" was the current Third Prince. He was toying with a jade thumb ring, a mysterious smile playing on his lips: "Mu Feng? He Tianzheng's man? Interesting. Investigate this Mu Feng and see who he is, to make that old fox He Tianzheng's head ache."

The strategist responded: "Yes. The First Prince's side also seems to have sent people to inquire about this person. Her Highness the Seventh Princess... is also quite interested in this 'Mu Feng,' though her attitude is unclear."

The Third Prince chuckled softly: "Oh? The eldest and the seventh are also moving? It seems this pond is getting muddier and muddier. Good, good! It's easier to fish in troubled waters."

Within the First Prince's residence, the atmosphere was even more solemn.

"Father Emperor has heard the recent rumors about the Demon Suppression Headquarters and has ordered us to thoroughly investigate. This Mu Feng must be brought under control as soon as possible; he cannot be allowed to speak nonsense and disrupt the court," the First Prince commanded in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, rest assured, arrangements have been made. However, He Tianzheng's side seems to be protecting him."

"Hmph, He Tianzheng? He can barely protect himself!"

In the Seventh Princess's palace, this princess, known for her intelligence and independence, was listening to a palace maid's report.

"Mu Feng... Hidden Dragon Guard... Soul-Devouring Demon Flower..." the Seventh Princess murmured to herself, a curious light flickering in her eyes. "This Princess wants to see what interesting things are hidden at the bottom of these troubled waters."

The panic in the capital naturally reached Li Dong's ears.

That day, a Hidden Dragon Guard member, with whom he usually had no contact, approached him with a forced smile.

"Brother Mu Feng, you're doing well; you're quite the celebrity in the capital now. But I advise you, if you become popular too quickly, be careful not to burn yourself out. Some people are not to be offended."

Li Dong still maintained his simple and honest appearance, scratching his head: "Brother, I... I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a rough man, I don't understand anything."

The man sneered: "Don't understand? The Young Master of the Minister of War's family, Lord Luo Yi's nephew, specifically 'cares' about you! I heard he's already put out word that he wants to find an opportunity to 'guide' your cultivation. And that Vice Minister Sun from the Ministry of Revenue, I heard you have some unclear relationship with the Lin family of Qingzhou Prefecture? That old man, he utterly detests the remnants of the Lin family, and recently he's been very active, wanting to thoroughly investigate the Lin family's remaining members in the capital."

Li Dong's thoughts raced. The Minister of War's son, it seemed, was one of the forces behind Luo Yi. Vice Minister Sun from the Ministry of Revenue, he had seen his name in the Jade Slip before, and indeed, he was connected to the Lin family. These people were all starting to get restless.

However, his face showed even more confusion: "I... I don't know any Young Master of a Minister, nor any Vice Minister. The Lin family? There's a hunter named Lin in our village; he's very good at hunting..."

Seeing that he was unyielding, the man snorted heavily: "Pretend! Keep pretending! You're on your own!" With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

"Minister of War, Vice Minister of Revenue... Heh, and the First Prince, the Third Prince, the Seventh Princess. This capital is truly lively," Li Dong muttered to himself, stroking his chin after the man left.

He returned to his small room and immersed his mind in the System.

"System, slightly disguise and embellish the evidence of Vice Minister Zhao and Officer Sun's collusion and secret 'nourishment' transfers, making it appear to be 'accidentally' leaked, and send it to the First Prince's people. Isn't he going to investigate thoroughly? Give him some 'political achievements.'"

【System: Directive recorded.】

"As for the Third Prince, isn't he dissatisfied with He Tianzheng? Take the most sensitive parts out of the partial cultivation data for the 'Soul-Devouring Demon Flower' and send him some 'surprises,' giving him more 'ammunition' to impeach He Tianzheng."

【System: Directive recorded.】

"The Seventh Princess... Hmm, she seems interested in ancient secrets. Process the vague clues about He Tianzheng's early experiments and the sources of certain 'sacrifices' more subtly, giving her a hint and letting her guess and investigate herself."

【System: Directive recorded. The capital's power network map has been updated, and the suspicion index and hostility index of various factions have all increased to varying degrees.】

Li Dong looked at the intricate web of relationships on the System interface, a barely perceptible curve forming on his lips.

"It's not enough. Don't those ancient aristocratic families, who consider themselves noble, always look down on these 'upstarts' from the Demon Suppression Headquarters? He Tianzheng wants to move the Dragon Vein; this has touched their raw nerve. Although the Dragon Vein matter cannot be exposed now, it can be alluded to. Anonymously transmit some vague fragments about 'extracting Earth Vein Spiritual Qi through special means' and 'Forbidden Formations transforming Earth Qi nodes' to a few influential families. Let them also get restless, hmph hmph."

If the waters of this capital aren't stirred up more, how can those true big fish surface?

In just a few days, the capital had completely become a boiling pot of porridge.

All sorts of true and false news flew everywhere, and officials were on edge, fearing they would be implicated. Impeachment memorials flew like snowflakes to the palace, targeting the Demon Suppression Headquarters and the 'named' officials.

The First Prince seized the opportunity to make trouble, claiming he would investigate thoroughly, and for a time, he was unrivaled in prominence.

The Third Prince, meanwhile, secretly gathered evidence and allied with some officials dissatisfied with He Tianzheng, preparing to deliver a fatal blow.

The Seventh Princess dispatched her own people to secretly investigate the leaked 'secrets,' attempting to find a deeper truth.

And those ancient aristocratic families who received the 'anonymous letters,' though outwardly calm, also began secret investigations and became highly wary of some of He Tianzheng's actions.

He Tianzheng and Luo Yi's faction, on the other hand, were in a frenzy, having to deal with investigations and impeachments from all sides, while also trying to block the source of the news and appease their implicated allies.

The entire upper echelon of the capital plunged into a chaotic internal struggle and suspicion.

And the instigator of all this, 'Mu Feng,' became the center of the storm.

Some said he was a hero exposing a conspiracy, some said he was a pawn being used, and others said he was a dangerous individual with a rare treasure and ulterior motives.

Li Dong, however, was pleased with this. He knew very well that he could no longer act as discreetly as before.

【System Warning: Multiple forces have listed you as a high-priority target. The 'Vortex Trap Zone' is accelerating in Formation. He Tianzheng has activated a high-risk elimination plan targeting you.】

Li Dong looked at the prosperous yet dangerous nightscape of the capital outside his window, his eyes calm.

"Good. He Tianzheng, you thought I was a pawn, but now it's hard to say who is whose pawn. However... merely exposing these experiments is probably not enough. These princes and princesses, these aristocratic families, what they are fighting for is probably not just a simple He Tianzheng."

He vaguely felt that behind these Forbidden Experiments, there were deeper conflicts involved, perhaps related to the power succession of the imperial family, or even to ancient forces with long Legacies.

"If the waters aren't stirred up thoroughly, how can one see what monsters are truly hidden beneath? The imperial family, ancient forces... this game is just starting to get interesting."

This storm was destined to sweep across the entire capital.