Chapter 650 204: Marquis of Ren De's Family Banquet (4)

"A family banquet?"

Shen Bai stroked his chin. "What's that?"

Ding Quan explained, "The 'family banquet' is an event held by the Marquis of Ren De every ten days. He invites everyone in Rende Prefecture to attend, as well as many Jianghu influences, including the White Canyon, Luoyun River, and the Celestial Cloud Sect."

'White Canyon, Luoyun River, and the Celestial Cloud Sect?'

Shen Bai frowned. "None of these are influences friendly with the Observatory."

Of the five major influences, these three were indifferent to the Observatory, yet they attended the Marquis of Ren De's family banquet every single time. 'There's definitely something fishy about this.'

'To put it bluntly, these three influences are probably loyal to the Marquis of Ren De.'

Sure enough, just as Shen Bai had this suspicion, Ding Quan immediately confirmed it.

"Lord Shen has guessed correctly. These three influences are close to the Marquis of Ren De, but the Observatory can't control them. After all, they haven't done anything to violate the laws of the Great Zhou Country."

"The Marquis of Ren De is also quite resourceful here in Lingyun Dao. The Observatory has no evidence to hold against him, so we can't make a move."

Hearing this, Shen Bai understood. He said, "Gather a team of men. They will accompany me to this so-called family banquet."

He hadn't expected this. He had yet to seek out the Marquis of Ren De, but the Marquis had suddenly sought him out instead.

Shen Bai was also very curious to see what sort of schemes and plots the Marquis of Ren De planned to use against him.

'Since he's come knocking on my door, I might as well go and see for myself.'

When Shen Bai said this, Ding Quan immediately nodded in agreement, then asked a question.

"Should we go together with Zhang Dao Ling?"

Shen Bai considered it for a moment, then nodded. "We can."

'After all, we're both officials in Lingyun Dao. It's only natural we go together.'

It was just as Shen Bai thought. They were both top figures in Lingyun Dao. Not traveling together on this trip would be a slight to the other party.

Ding Quan replied, "Then this subordinate will make the arrangements at once. Lord Shen, please wait for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

Without another word, Ding Quan turned and left the five-story building.

Once again, only Shen Bai, Red Makeup, and the others remained.

Red Makeup's fine brows furrowed slightly. "Master, I'm afraid this family banquet will not be a simple affair."

"There is definitely something very wrong with the Marquis of Ren De."

Shen Bai nodded. "It's fine. We'll just see what he does. The Saint Martial Emperor once told me that if I encounter danger, I have permission to act first and report later. I've taken those words to heart."

A faint killing intent emanated from Shen Bai, swirling around him.

"You two enter my body for now. I'll go take a look."

Without a word, Amber and Red Makeup transformed into motes of light and flew into Shen Bai's body, vanishing from sight.

After waiting for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Ding Quan came up to the fifth floor.

Only then did Shen Bai head downstairs to the main gate of the Observatory.

Outside, Ding Quan was waiting patiently. He had selected over fifty people from each of Divisions Jia and Yi.

Shen Bai didn't recognize many of them. They must have just returned from missions and had free time.

Shen Bai casually activated his Void-breaking Red Eye and scanned them carefully, finding nothing unusual.

Seeing Shen Bai emerge, the crowd quickly clasped their fists and shouted in unison, "This subordinate greets Lord Shen!"

The lowest among these people were in the Celestial Spirit Realm, while Shen Bai was only in the Unity Realm—two full realms below them.

Yet, not a single one of them dared to show Shen Bai any disrespect.

After all, his status was undeniable, and he had the reputation for "Overcoming Adversity and Attacking Upward." No one knew just how powerful Shen Bai truly was.

And only they knew that the various stories about Shen Bai were, in fact, all true.

After all, they were all members of the Observatory.

Shen Bai waved his hand. "To the Government Office. We'll find Zhang Dao Ling, and then we'll all go see what kind of game this Marquis of Ren De is trying to play."

"Yes, sir!"

The men quickly assented.

Shen Bai set off, heading toward the Lingyun Dao Government Office.

...

「Lingyun Dao Government Office.」

As the Government Office of a Daoist-level City, it was naturally far more luxurious than one in a State-level City.

Its grounds alone were vast.

At this moment, the Government Office was bustling with activity.

A few constables pushed open the main gates, and a middle-aged, scholarly man in plain clothes walked out.

More than twenty constables followed behind the middle-aged scholar, each of them possessing formidable strength.

As the Daoist Order of Lingyun Dao, Zhang Dao Ling was responsible for the entire region's reputation, and he governed Lingyun Dao exceptionally well.

"It should be about time."

Zhang Dao Ling said after stepping outside, glancing at the setting sun.

A Chief Constable approached him from the side and whispered softly in his ear.

"I hear that Shen Bai has taken up his post at the Lingyun Dao Observatory."

Zhang Dao Ling frowned upon hearing this. "I have heard about this as well. It seems Shen Bai also stumbled upon the incident at that village. I just don't know how he will handle it."

The Chief Constable shook his head. "I heard he went straight back to the Observatory. He brought back the heads of many from the Demonic Forces and is investigating them closely."

Zhang Dao Ling was taken aback for a moment before it dawned on him.

"It seems the rumors in the Jianghu are true—he really is a man of swift and decisive action. However, this is the Observatory's business. It would be best if you inquired less about it from now on."

The Chief Constable quickly agreed, not daring to utter another word.

'But he was confused.'

'Zhang Dao Ling was the one who had him look into these things before, but now he was suddenly telling him to stop. He had no idea why.'

"Let's go. It's about time to depart," Zhang Dao Ling said.

Then, he prepared to head toward the Marquis of Ren De's residence.