Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Over a month ago.

Southern Dou Country.

Mid-section of the E-Dragon River.

Xuanlin City.

The streets were crowded with people on both sides.

Guards were escorting a mechanical prison cart, slowly moving forward.

Inside the cart, a Golden Core stage cultivator was heavily shackled with iron chains, his hair disheveled and his eyes tightly shut.

The city residents, upon seeing this person, were furious and hurled countless rotten eggs, leftover vegetable leaves, spoiled rice, and even stones while cursing loudly.

"Smash him! Kill this corrupt official!"

"If he hadn't embezzled the disaster relief funds, my grandfather wouldn't have starved to death."

"His conscience was truly eaten by dogs! As a Golden Core cultivator, it was fine if he cultivated alone, but as an official, he sucked the people's lifeblood! He's worse than a demonic cultivator! He deserves this end!!"

The Golden Core prisoner kept his head down, his eyes closed, his expression lifeless.

Watching the commotion on the street from afar, Zhu Xuanji sighed softly and said to the group of people beside him, "It's about time I set out as well."

Next to him, the current City Lord of Xuanlin City clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "This time, we owe it to you, Lord Zhu, for taking action and exposing the rotten element. If not for you, I would have remained in the dark."

Zhu Xuanji smiled softly and looked deeply at the City Lord. "Lord Su, take care of yourself."

After speaking, he mounted his horse and left directly.

The City Lord clasped his fists, watching Zhu Xuanji gradually disappear into the distance, always smiling, but with a cold gleam in his eyes.

"Ah, it's Lord Zhu!"

"Lord Zhu is here."

"Lord Zhu, thank you, thank you for uncovering the truth! If it weren't for you, boohoo…"

"Lord Zhu, please don't go! Stay and be our official!"

One person first knelt beside the street, followed by a second, then a third.

The city residents all knelt down, crying bitterly, thanking and pleading.

On the same road, Zhu Xuanji and the Golden Core prisoner received completely different reactions.

Zhu Xuanji rode on his horse, smiling, and continuously waved his hand.

With the citizens' heartfelt farewells, he reached the city gate and finally looked back at the kneeling crowd and the City Lord standing at the end of the street.

"The Su family…" Zhu Xuanji sighed, a gloominess rising in his eyes.

He knew that the true mastermind was the City Lord with the surname Su, but the latter was ruthless, killing to silence witnesses in time, leaving no evidence in Zhu Xuanji's hands.

Zhu Xuanji had only managed to capture a Golden Core cultivator under the City Lord's command.

Zhu Xuanji urged his horse to speed up, quickly catching up with the prisoner escort team ahead.

The group meandered along until they reached a country road.

The cultivator in the lead suddenly shouted, "Who goes there? Daring to block the imperial escort team, do you not value your life?!"

The person blocking the prison cart quickly pleaded for mercy, his voice old and trembling, "Sirs, I am no bandit but have come specifically to thank Lord Zhu."

Zhu Xuanji scanned the area with his spiritual sense and immediately ordered, "Stay calm, I know this old man; he is not an enemy."

He lightly kicked his horse's belly, reached the front of the group, and upon seeing the familiar face, couldn't help but smile, "Old man, we meet again."

The old man bent over, bowing deeply, tears streaming down his face as he said, "I am ashamed, I had eyes but failed to recognize a true hero. When you passed by my teahouse, I even insulted you. If I didn't come to thank and apologize, I would never have peace in my life."

Zhu Xuanji dismounted, came to the old man's side, and extended his hand to help him up. "Old man, has your family's field been returned to you?"

The old man cried again, choking up as he said, "Yes, it's been returned. Not just my family, but the good fields of our entire village have been returned."

"That's good." Zhu Xuanji nodded.

The old man took out a bag of spirit stones. "Lord Zhu, this is a token of our village's gratitude…"

Zhu Xuanji waved his hand, "I will not accept it."

"This bag of spirit rice is also from our village…"

Zhu Xuanji laughed softly, "Old man, I don't care for these things."

The old man became anxious, "This is just a small token from our village, only meant to express our endless gratitude, Lord Zhu…"

Zhu Xuanji extended his hand, "Old man, do you remember when we first met, I passed by your teahouse at the village entrance?"

"You saw me covered in dust and invited me to sit down."

"I laughed and said I had no money to pay for tea. Yet, you kindly offered me a bowl of sweet water."

The old man nodded, wiping his tears, "How could I forget?"

"You drank the sweet water and inquired about the people's livelihood. I told you about the corruption in Xuanlin City."

"You were merely asking for details, but I was old and foolish, thinking you were defending the corrupt officials, and angrily knocked over your sweet water."

"Hahaha." Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily, "I'm glad you remember!"

He clasped his fists and said, "If I may, could I ask the old man to offer me another bowl of sweet water?"

The old man was stunned.

Seeing Zhu Xuanji's serious and sincere expression, his vision blurred again, tears streaming down as he hurriedly nodded, "Please, please! It is my honor to offer Lord Zhu tea again."

Zhu Xuanji shook his head, "Not tea, I just want a bowl of sweet water."

The old man took out his storage bag, and right there, made a bowl of sweet water for Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji held the rough pottery bowl, took a big sip, and with great satisfaction said, "Good, such sweet water!"

The guards, seeing this scene, remained silent.

After bidding farewell to the old man, Zhu Xuanji continued on his way.

No one ambushed the prisoner, and the journey was peaceful.

Upon entering the capital, he had not yet rested when he was summoned by the King.

In the King's presence, he knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and reported in a loud voice, "This minister went to Xuanlin City to investigate the details of the corruption case. Fortunately, I did not fail in my mission…"

Smack.

The King of Southern Dou slammed the table and scolded, "Zhu Xuanji! You entered the capital, handed over the prisoner, and did not think to come see me and report, must I summon you?"

"Did not fail in your mission? Ha!"

"Before you set out, how did I instruct you?"

"In the end, you went to Xuanlin City and still acted on your own, disregarding my orders. Do you think I summoned you to praise you?"

"This minister dares not," Zhu Xuanji replied with a bitter smile.

The King of Southern Dou sighed deeply, "Zhu Xuanji, Zhu Xuanji… You are a member of the royal family. Do you not know the weight of the Su family in our country?"

"This time you captured a Golden Core subordinate, making the Su family lose face. Several of the Su family's old ministers have already submitted their resignation, stating that the Su family's reputation must not be tarnished."

"I asked you to investigate the case, not to cause turmoil in the court!"

Zhu Xuanji raised his head, his expression serious, "I dare not disagree with Your Majesty, but I believe that the major clans in Southern Dou Country have already become deeply entrenched, with their power so great that it's hard to shake. The Su family, in particular, controls multiple immortal cities and holds many key positions in the court, suppressing newcomers and monopolizing governance."

"If this continues, they will become a significant crisis for Southern Dou Country."

"As members of the royal family, we should support new clans and new people, reform the court with new energy, take care of the common people, and widely recruit talent from among the people to balance the old clans."

The King of Southern Dou snorted coldly, "Nonsense! In the past, when the late Emperor expanded the territory, how much did the Su family sacrifice? How could we treat such founding heroes with contempt? If this gets out, how will talents from other lands view our country?"

"People have given you a title, calling you ‘Zhu Xuanji, the investigator who ensures public safety,' and you've actually become proud of it?"

Zhu Xuanji lowered his head, "This minister dares not."

The King of Southern Dou sighed softly, "Enough."

"Perhaps I have always expected too much from you. Your handling of this matter was indeed an improvement compared to before."

"I have read your secret report."

"The Su family’s City Lord cannot escape responsibility. Everyone in the court is aware of this."

"But let this matter rest. The Golden Core cultivator will be beheaded and displayed at the vegetable market as the conclusion."

Zhu Xuanji volunteered, "This minister is willing to serve as the executioner!"

The King of Southern Dou shook his head, "The court is

unstable, and as a member of the royal family, you must consider and think for me."

"If you, with your status, serve as the executioner, would it be seen as the royal family's decision? As my decision? How could the court officials and subjects not speculate wildly?"

"You should not stay in the capital any longer. Leave."

"Just as well…"

The King of Southern Dou took a memorial from the corner of the desk, threw it to the ground, and tossed it to Zhu Xuanji. "Stand up and take a look."

Zhu Xuanji responded, "Yes."

He slowly stood up and reached out his hand.

An invisible force lifted the memorial from the ground and placed it in his hand.

Zhu Xuanji unfolded the memorial and quickly read through it, his face showing surprise, "Lava Immortal Palace?"

The King of Southern Dou nodded, "Indeed."

"This was once the residence of the Supreme Elder of the Three Sects, built in collaboration with the late Emperor during their time of deep affection. It was originally buried within Mount Huoshi, suppressing volcanic eruptions and turning a dangerous land into a blessed one."

"It was supposed to continue suppressing the earth's fire for over a hundred years, but now it has emerged."

"There must be something unusual about this."

"On this journey, you must investigate the reason for the appearance of the Lava Immortal Palace."

"This Immortal Palace contains the Supreme Elder's mechanical inheritance, and you are the one who meets the standard for this. Whether you can obtain the inheritance depends on your fortune and abilities."

"Though you accomplished some merits in Xuanlin City, you also made mistakes. I have my reasons, so I will neither reward nor punish you. Go to the Lava Immortal Palace and see if you can obtain the inheritance."

"This minister accepts the decree!" Zhu Xuanji expressed his gratitude, "My expertise in mechanical techniques is also thanks to the royal family's nurturing. On this journey, I will do my utmost to uncover the truth."

The King of Southern Dou nodded, "I have three pieces of advice for you."

"First, the Supreme Elder of the Three Sects had a close relationship with the late Emperor. You could say that our royal family owes much of its foundation to the Supreme Elder. His merits and influence could be considered that of our national preceptor."

"The Supreme Elder arranged the Lava Immortal Palace within Mount Huoshi with profound intentions that cannot be easily guessed. On this journey, do not act recklessly; go with the flow and do not disturb the Supreme Elder's careful plans."

"Second, the late Emperor did not have the royal mandate at the time, and it was entirely due to the Supreme Elder's use of the divine ability ‘Life Hanging by a Thread' that the Emperor was able to gain the favor of the people."

"After the late Emperor, no one in our Zhu family has inherited this ability. ‘Life Hanging by a Thread' has become a lost art."

"One of the key tasks of your journey is to find this divine ability. If possible, strive to obtain it!"

"On the other hand, if you discover someone else has mastered this divine ability, do everything in your power to eliminate them and snuff out the threat early!"