24: Chapter 24: A solution is found, and dual cultivation resumes.

Since the previous plan to find the Grand Elder and the others by using the vegetable-selling farmer to uncover the new contact point's code word was no longer viable.

Then, the only option was to start with the mole planted by the Grand Elder within the current Yihong Pavilion.

Chen Shanzhi sat on the couch, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

The plot of this game spun rapidly in his mind like a revolving lantern.

All the plot points regarding where the Grand Elder planted the mole emerged one by one in his mind like individual threads.

In this epic single-player game, which boasted a "ten-million-word text volume."

Moreover, this mole that the Grand Elder had planted in Yihong Pavilion was not a fixed character, unlike in other games.

In the game, the System would dynamically determine who the mole was based on the different choices the player made during the investigation.

Back when he played the game, Chen Shanzhi thought this setting was incredibly awesome, offering a new experience every time he restarted.

But now that he had actually transmigrated into it, he just wanted to curse.

This setting directly resulted in Chen Shanzhi not knowing either.

Who exactly the real mole was inside the current Yihong Pavilion.

Because he had no idea which mole's world line the plot was following in other areas.

Chen Shanzhi only knew that in the game, there were four different outcomes based on different choices.

If these four people were just small fries within the White Lotus Sect, like Shopkeeper Jiang, it would be fine.

He could just capture them all and interrogate them one by one.

But these four people, according to Chen Shanzhi's knowledge, were all key members of the White Lotus Sect's Beijing branch.

Without evidence, even with Jiang Yingrao being the Saintess of the White Lotus Sect, she could not just arrest people at will.

If she were to arrest key members and interrogate them under torture for no reason, based only on a suspicion.

I am afraid that not long after arresting them, the Grand Elder would immediately slap her with the label of "eliminating dissent and shaking the morale of the army."

And even if they were interrogated, the Grand Elder would certainly have received the news long ago and withdrawn everyone from the contact point.

By then, they might even bite back, claiming that Jiang Yingrao had forced a confession just to convict them.

Within the sect, this would instead put Jiang Yingrao and her people in a passive position.

Moreover, if he suddenly exposed the names of these four people, Jiang Yingrao might even suspect that he wanted to use a borrowed knife to kill, thereby weakening the White Lotus Sect's strength.

Therefore, he had to think of a way to catch this mole red-handed.

"This is tricky." Chen Shanzhi rubbed his temples.

Jiang Yingrao, sitting opposite him, felt very anxious as she watched him deep in thought, but she dared not disturb Chen Shanzhi's contemplation.

Chen Shanzhi pondered for a long while before finally raising his head.

Seeing Jiang Yingrao's somewhat urgent gaze, Chen Shanzhi did not bring up the matter.

Instead, he suddenly asked a completely unrelated question:

"Saintess Jiang, has anyone in your Yihong Pavilion passed away recently?"

"Passed away?" Jiang Yingrao was taken aback, her face full of confusion. "No. Business has been booming these past few days, and the girls are all doing well. Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"None?" Chen Shanzhi frowned slightly, feigning a look of recollection:

"That's strange. I was running errands in the west of the city two days ago and passed by that 'Wangsheng Hall' burial garment shop. I seemed to see someone wearing your Yihong Pavilion's attire walk inside."

"I thought at the time that one of the girls in your establishment had met with misfortune and needed to arrange a funeral."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yingrao's beautiful eyes narrowed instantly, and she asked:

"When did you see this? Do you remember what that person looked like?"

Chen Shanzhi naturally did not know these details; he said this merely to let Jiang Yingrao know that the burial garment shop was suspicious.

Chen Shanzhi rubbed his chin, pretending to ponder for a moment, before saying uncertainly:

"It was about two days ago. It was crowded and chaotic at the time, and I only caught a fleeting glimpse, so I didn't see the face clearly. However, judging by the physique, it looked like someone who practiced martial arts."

"Two days ago..." Jiang Yingrao murmured to herself, her expression gradually becoming grave:

"There has absolutely been no death in our Yihong Pavilion these past few days, nor have we had any business dealings with that burial garment shop. Buying burial garments is an unlucky affair; who would dare to do it privately without reporting it?"

"If that's the case, then this matter is very suspicious."

"What do you mean?"

"I suspect that this burial garment shop has a problem. And the person who went there is very likely the mole planted by the Grand Elder."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yingrao stood up abruptly, acting with decisive speed:

"I will immediately withdraw the manpower monitoring the farmer and reassign them all to monitor that burial garment shop. As long as we catch this person red-handed, I don't believe we won't be able to pry information out of them."

"No!" Chen Shanzhi grabbed her sleeve and pressed her back into her seat.

"Why?" Jiang Yingrao looked up at him, puzzled. "Speed is the essence of war. Since we have found a clue, are we to wait for them to run away?"

"Your Highness Saintess, can you use your brain?" Chen Shanzhi sighed and pointed to his own head:

"You just said that there has been no movement on the farmer's side. What does that mean?"

"It means that the person who was supposed to meet with the farmer already knew that the farmer had been exposed, so they cut off contact."

"However, the operation to arrest Shopkeeper Jiang and monitor the farmer was deployed by you personally and was extremely secretive. No one knew about it except your trusted aides."

"Yet, the other party still found out."

At this point, Chen Shanzhi looked deeply at Jiang Yingrao, his voice becoming low:

"This means that the mole lurking within your ranks definitely holds a high position! Perhaps... even within your core circle. Only then could he react quickly after you captured Shopkeeper Jiang and notify his subordinates to cut off contact."

Boom! These words were like a thunderbolt, making Jiang Yingrao's scalp tingle.

Although she had suspected there was a mole, she had been unwilling to think deeply about it. After all, those who could access core secrets were all veterans who had followed her Master for over a decade.

But now, Chen Shanzhi's deduction was impeccable.

"High position... core circle..." Jiang Yingrao murmured to herself, her face turning pale, a flash of ruthlessness in her eyes: "Good! Very good! A traitorous wretch!"

"Then, in your opinion, what should we do now?" She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and the look she gave Chen Shanzhi held a bit more reliance.

Unknowingly, asking Chen Shanzhi when encountering difficult problems had become her habit.

"It's simple." Chen Shanzhi revealed a smile of confidence:

"We must definitely continue to monitor the farmer, and we must do it with great fanfare. Send out more people to create the illusion that you are still holding onto this line, in order to paralyze that mole."

"Then, you personally select a few absolutely trusted aides—preferably those who don't usually show their faces—to secretly monitor that burial garment shop."

"Remember, this time just monitor, do not act rashly. Don't alert the enemy like last time."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yingrao's eyes gradually brightened.

This strategy of "openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang" was indeed brilliant!

As long as the mole thinks that the Holy Sect's attention is still on the farmer, in order to pass on subsequent information, he will sooner or later activate the new contact point, which is that burial garment shop.

By then, they only need to wait for the rabbit to hit the tree stump to catch them red-handed!

Jiang Yingrao looked at the man in front of her with his playboy appearance; although her expression remained cold, her heart was filled with amazement.

Such scheming, such layout—it was truly hard to imagine this was the person who had always held the reputation of the number one playboy in the capital.

Once the serious business was discussed, the atmosphere in the room softened slightly.

Chen Shanzhi had been talking for so long that his mouth felt extremely dry. He casually picked up the exquisite white jade wine cup on the table.

This was naturally the one Jiang Yingrao had just used, and a faint red lipstick stain still remained on the rim.

Chen Shanzhi did not mind; he brought the cup to his lips and drank the remaining wine in one gulp, right where the red mark was.

He did not know if it was because the beauty had drunk from it, but the wine in the cup was exceptionally sweet.

"Tsk." Chen Shanzhi smacked his lips and couldn't help but say, "Good wine. This wine tastes exceptionally sweet."

Jiang Yingrao snapped back to reality and happened to see this scene. She snatched the wine cup away and said coldly, "What are you doing?"

Chen Shanzhi chuckled and leaned over: "Bottoms up!"

Jiang Yingrao was still puzzled as to why this guy would suddenly say a dirty word, but the next second, she felt her waist tighten.

A warm, large hand had already domineeringly wrapped around her slender waist.

"You..." Jiang Yingrao's body stiffened, and she was about to erupt.

Chen Shanzhi's voice, carrying a trace of roguishness and teasing, sounded in her ear:

"Your Highness Saintess, look, not only did I analyze the situation for you, but I also pointed out the clue to that burial garment shop. I have helped you a great deal."

"We are partners, and the principle is to reciprocate."

"Look, shouldn't you... show some appreciation?"

Chen Shanzhi's hand pinched the soft flesh on her waist gently, and he chuckled: "For instance, Dual Cultivation with me again?"

Hearing the words Dual Cultivation, the scene from that night instantly surfaced in Jiang Yingrao's mind.

The pleasure of the fusion of true Qi, the uncontrollable shivering of her body, and that mess at the end... It was too embarrassing!

"No!" Jiang Yingrao reacted as violently as a cat whose tail had been stepped on, pushing hard against Chen Shanzhi's chest with both hands:

"The clue hasn't been confirmed yet! And I didn't say I wanted to... Mmph!"

Before she could finish, she felt a warm and domineering true Qi suddenly transmit from the large hand on her waist.

That was true Qi carrying the aura of the Yang Parasite!

As soon as this true Qi entered her body, it was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake.

The Yin Parasite that had been sleeping in her body instantly reacted like a cat smelling fish. It had been asleep, but now it woke up excitedly!

It actually took the initiative to guide this true Qi to wander through her Meridians.

"Mmh..." Jiang Yingrao's body went limp, her hands that had been pushing him away instantly lost their strength, and they fell limply onto Chen Shanzhi's shoulders.

A wave of heat traveled through her Meridians, bringing waves of tingling sensations.

That feeling was like countless ants crawling inside her bones, making her whole body tremble, even her toes curled up.

She couldn't help but blush, let out a soft moan, bit her lip, her eyes misty, and her voice was so soft it sounded like she was acting coquettish. "You... you are shameless..."

Chen Shanzhi looked at the beauty in his arms. At this moment, where was any trace of the decisive Saintess from just a moment ago?

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were swirling, and she was as enticing as a ripe peach, waiting to be picked.

Seeing Jiang Yingrao's state now, and recalling her unusual behavior after the last Dual Cultivation, Chen Shanzhi naturally understood why Jiang Yingrao had been refusing Dual Cultivation all this time.

He didn't expect this girl's body to be so sensitive.

"Tsk, tsk." Chen Shanzhi felt secretly pleased; he hadn't expected the bond of the Yin and Yang Gu to be so strong.

"Saintess, that is incorrect." Chen Shanzhi said as he continuously infused true Qi, while using force with his hands to scoop Jiang Yingrao up into his arms.

"I am helping you Cultivate, how can you call it shameless?"

"Chen Shanzhi!" As her body lifted into the air, Jiang Yingrao exclaimed, instinctively hooking her arms around his neck.

Feeling the waves of tingling coming from within her body, she trembled all over, ashamed and furious, yet unable to resist.

She could only glare at Chen Shanzhi with those watery eyes, threatening him intermittently: "Chen Shanzhi, this... this is the last time! Next time... next time if you inject true Qi into me without my consent... I... I will kill you with one palm!"

"Alright, alright, last time, last time." Chen Shanzhi nodded perfunctorily, his feet moving quickly, and in a few steps, he walked to the large bed covered with silk.

He looked at the proud, demonic girl in his arms, whose body had already turned into a puddle of water, yet who still insisted on acting tough, and he couldn't suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth.

"But my dear Saintess, before you kill me, let's get down to business first."

After speaking, Chen Shanzhi gently placed Jiang Yingrao on the bed, then softly laid the beauty in his arms onto the soft silk quilt.

Her red dress spread out like a blooming red lotus.

Jiang Yingrao lay on the bed, her long hair disheveled, her cheeks flushed, and her eyelashes trembling violently.

Her chest heaved violently due to her rapid breathing, and that hint of snowy white cleavage was faintly visible, tempting one to commit a crime.

Chen Shanzhi took a deep breath, suppressing the restlessness in his heart, and rolled over on top of her. Then... they began their proper Dual Cultivation.

The two pressed their palms together, fingers interlocked.

"Circulate the Mind-Cultivation Technique!" Chen Shanzhi shouted in a low voice.

Jiang Yingrao's body trembled; although she was ashamed and furious, her body's instinct forced her to cooperate.

As the "Yin and Yang Symbiosis Technique" circulated, the true Qi within both their bodies began to cycle crazily.

At this moment, the room was filled with boundless spring scenery, yet it was also filled with a sacred aura of Cultivation.

The pleasure of the dual fusion of Soul and body made both of them sink into it, unable to extricate themselves.

Chen Shanzhi could feel his Cultivation Bottleneck loosening bit by bit.

This Dual Cultivation, he didn't know if it was because their relationship had become closer or because of other reasons.

The Cultivation Chen Shanzhi gained this time was actually more than the previous time.

In this Cultivation session, the true Qi in his sixth aperture had actually filled the entire major aperture.

Now, Chen Shanzhi was only one step away from the Xuanguan Seven Apertures!