Zhuge Qingtian picked up the fragment,gently rubbing the patterns on it,a elusive smile appearing on his face.Wang Shifeng asked,"Brother Zhuge,can you figure out the origin of this fragment?"
Zhuge Qingtian shook his head,saying,"If I can't figure it out,I doubt anyone in this world can.So,what exactly is this fragment from?It looks familiar,but I can't recall where I've seen it."
Wang Shifeng replied,"I find it familiar,but I can't remember where.It can't be from the token of Renyi Manor.I've seen those tokens,and the material and patterns are different from this."
Zhuge Qingtian explained,"What seems familiar to you is normal because the prototype of this fragment is the Renyi Token from Jiangnan Renyi Manor."
Wang Shifeng immediately protested,"Impossible!I've seen Renyi Manor's tokens.Both the material and the patterns are different from this one."
Zhuge Qingtian shook his head,"Brother Wang,just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's fake.Renyi Manor has been established for over a decade,and the Renyi Tokens have gone through several generations.The first-generation tokens,less than twenty in number,were distributed when Renyi Manor was founded.It's normal that you haven't seen them."
As Zhuge Qingtian spoke,he turned to his maid Jin'er and said,"Go fetch my No.9 Collection with the armor emblem."
Jin'er nodded and immediately brought a small wooden box from the cabin.Zhuge Qingtian searched inside and took out a token,also crafted from ivory-like material,with three big characters'Renyi Manor'written on it.The surrounding area was adorned with delicate patterns,identical to the fragment found by Su Xin and Tie Yaohua.
Zhuge Qingtian explained,"When Renyi Manor was first established,they invited our Zhuge family to join.At that time,Renyi Manor's influence was small,and we didn't take it seriously.However,their leader,'Unparalleled in Benevolence'Jiang Heliu,insisted on giving our Zhuge family a Renyi Token.Due to Jiang Heliu's reputation,we had no choice but to reluctantly accept it."
Su Xin and Tie Yaohua exchanged glances.The fragment belonged to Jiangnan Renyi Manor,which was unexpected.Jiangnan Renyi Manor was a peculiar place,more of a loosely organized group than a martial force.
The founder,'Unparalleled in Benevolence'Jiang Heliu,was a martial artist in the innate Divine Palace realm.True to his nickname,he was known for his unparalleled benevolence.Despite being a wanderer,even disciples of major sects respectfully addressed him as'Brother Jiang,'showing great reverence.
Over a decade ago,Jiang Heliu established Renyi Manor with the intention of helping martial artists facing difficulties and mediating disputes in the martial world.Anyone with a reasonable request could seek help from Renyi Manor.Holding a Renyi Token meant being a member of Renyi Manor,and while there was no obligation to assist others,it was encouraged.
Initially,Renyi Manor had a modest reputation,and the first batch of tokens,fewer than twenty,was distributed mainly to Jiang Heliu's close friends.The rest were given away through persistent efforts.Zhuge Qingtian's token was one of them.
Jiang Heliu's fame in Jiangnan spread quickly.When a small aristocratic family inadvertently offended a branch master of the Nine Prison Demon Sect,the family was marked for extermination.Desperate,the family sought Renyi Manor's help.Jiang Heliu mobilized over a hundred skilled martial artists,including one in the Divine Soul realm,and successfully repelled the sect's attack.This event elevated Renyi Manor's reputation,making it widely known and respected in the martial world.
Jiang Heliu,despite suffering severe injuries during the confrontation,retained his esteemed status.Rather than diminishing his influence,the incident garnered even more respect from the martial community.
Now,Renyi Manor had over five martial artists in the Divine Soul realm closely associated with it,and over a thousand martial artists in the innate realm.Besides those who rarely appeared at Renyi Manor,there were nearly a hundred innate realm martial artists currently seeking to join,making it a formidable force in the region.
That's why the situation became a bit tricky.
Even if the person who killed Li Chenfeng is not directly affiliated with Jiangnan Renyi Manor,they must have close ties.Otherwise,they wouldn't carry the Renyi Token,revealing a vulnerability.
So,regardless,Su Xin and Tie Yaohua had to make a trip to Jiangnan Renyi Manor.
Su Xin stood up,bowed to Zhuge Qingtian,and said,"Thank you,Brother Zhuge,for helping us understand.We will take our leave now."
Zhuge Qingtian nodded with a smile,"We are all officials in the same dynasty,and you still bear the titles of the court.It's only natural for me to help.Jin'er,see our guests off."
After expressing gratitude,Su Xin turned and left.Zhuge Qingtian made a subtle movement with his hand,and a faint white light imperceptibly entered Su Xin's hand.
A hint of surprise flashed in Su Xin's eyes,but he didn't turn back.Instead,he followed Wang Shifeng and Tie Yaohua off the ship.
Once Su Xin and the others disembarked,a mocking smile appeared on Zhuge Qingtian's lips,"A centipede may be dead,but the great Zhou Dynasty is still alive.Why do so many people want to stir up trouble now?Haha,fools!"
After leaving the ship,Su Xin and Tie Yaohua headed to Jiangnan Renyi Manor,while Wang Shifeng bid farewell.
Although the Xie Princedom also had officials in the court,it was different from notorious organizations like the Six Bureaus.If Wang Shifeng joined Su Xin and Tie Yaohua in confronting Renyi Manor,it would harm the reputation of the Xie Princedom.
Jiangnan Renyi Manor was located just outside Jiangnan Prefecture.It took Su Xin and Tie Yaohua half an hour to reach the vast estate.
At the entrance,a martial artist dressed as a servant approached respectfully and asked,"May I inquire about your origins?Please allow me to report to the master."
Previously,there was no need to announce oneself at Renyi Manor,but due to the large number of people paying respects recently,Jiang Heliu was currently receiving disciples from major sects and distinguished figures in the main hall.If Su Xin and Tie Yaohua were from major sects,they would be taken to see Jiang Heliu.Otherwise,they would be directed to a side hall where someone else would attend to them.
Su Xin calmly replied,"Six Bureaus,Su Xin."
Tie Yaohua followed suit,"Six Bureaus,Tie Yaohua."
The servant was momentarily stunned.He hadn't expected members of the Six Bureaus to visit Renyi Manor.Now,he was in a dilemma,as it was inappropriate to let them in,yet not letting them in was also problematic.
The identities of these two were too sensitive.Two enforcers from the Six Bureaus coming to Renyi Manor at this time raised suspicions.
Su Xin nonchalantly said,"As a fifth-rank Pursuit Inspector of the Six Bureaus,I can't even enter the door of your Renyi Manor?"
The servant forced a smile that looked more distressed than cheerful,"Of course,you can enter,Lord Su.Please wait a moment;I'll report it."
At this point,the main hall of Renyi Manor was lively,filled with dozens of martial artists engaged in lively conversations.These were the outstanding young talents of the martial world,gathered here for the upcoming Jiangnan Assembly.
Jiang Heliu had a wide circle of acquaintances,not only with local martial sects in Jiangnan but also with some forces from other regions.With the Jiangnan Assembly approaching,disciples from various sects arrived to pay respects.
Su Xin and Tie Yaohua reached the entrance of Renyi Manor,where a servant-like martial artist approached and respectfully asked,"May I ask which sect you are from?I'll report to the master."
Previously,there was no need to announce oneself at Renyi Manor,but due to the large number of people paying respects recently,Jiang Heliu was currently receiving disciples from major sects and distinguished figures in the main hall.If Su Xin and Tie Yaohua were from major sects,they would be taken to see Jiang Heliu.Otherwise,they would be directed to a side hall where someone else would attend to them.
Su Xin calmly replied,"Six Bureaus,Su Xin."
Tie Yaohua followed suit,"Six Bureaus,Tie Yaohua."
The servant was momentarily stunned.He hadn't expected members of the Six Bureaus to visit Renyi Manor.Now,he was in a dilemma,as it was inappropriate to let them in,yet not letting them in was also problematic.
The identities of these two were too sensitive.Two enforcers from the Six Bureaus coming to Renyi Manor at this time raised suspicions.
Su Xin nonchalantly said,"As a fifth-rank Pursuit Inspector of the Six Bureaus,I can't even enter the door of your Renyi Manor?"
The servant forced a smile that looked more distressed than cheerful,"Of course,you can enter,Lord Su.Please wait a moment;I'll report it."
