nownovels Chapter 19 The World in the Painting
Chapter 19 The World in the Painting
The Imperial Guards knew exactly what was going on.
Han Shichong called them all in because he was worried that Wei Ting's accomplices might be hiding among them.
If news of Wei Ting's capture leaks out, the enemy will surely become alert, and all leads will be cut off.
No one present could escape suspicion, and to prove their innocence, they had to take drastic measures!
The men exchanged glances, a ruthless glint in their eyes, and began to interrogate him.
Although the Jinwuwei's interrogation methods were not as varied as those of the Jinyiwei, they were still unique. In no time, Wei Ting's skin was torn and bleeding, and he could no longer hold on, so he began to confess weakly.
About twenty days ago, a few days before the stolen goods were delivered to the treasury.
A masked man with a Bozhou accent found him and handed him five thousand taels of silver notes, plus a top-grade [Meridian Opening Pill], a rare elixir that could help people open their meridians and break through their cultivation level.
The other party asked him to hang the yin painting in the storeroom, and after the matter was completed, he would take it out and pay a reward of five thousand taels.
Wei Ting had been stuck at the eighth level of the Heavenly Realm for three whole years without making any progress. Meanwhile, his elderly mother was seriously ill and urgently needed money for treatment.
The annual salary of the commander of the Imperial Guard was only twenty taels of silver. Faced with such a temptation, he finally couldn't resist and nodded.
For the first few days, he was on tenterhooks, afraid that someone would notice something was wrong.
But after half a month, no one recognized him, so he felt relieved and prepared to find an opportunity to exchange him.
Until this morning, before going to the yamen.
The masked man approached him again and specifically instructed him to keep a close eye on a man named Gu Qingxuan. If Gu Qingxuan did not participate in the investigation, that was fine, but if he did, he should keep a close watch on him to see if he could detect anything amiss.
Upon hearing this, everyone finally understood why Wei Ting had been stealing glances at Gu Qingxuan repeatedly after hearing his name.
This gang of thieves is frighteningly well-informed!
Shen Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, we can set up an ambush outside Wei Ting's house and wait for that person to reappear. Since he knows that Commander Gu may be able to see through this painting, he must be extremely anxious and will definitely try to find out more information from Wei Ting."
Gu Qingxuan shook his head: "Their intelligence network is so advanced that they even dare to plot against the treasures in the treasury. They might even have spies in the West Garden. Wei Ting is in his current state; if he goes out, he will definitely arouse suspicion. If he avoids going out, he will also arouse suspicion. The only option now is to take the risk..."
The group of people all looked at the painting "Landscape in a Painting" on the wall.
If yang can enter and yin can exit, and yin can enter and yang can exit, then let's do the opposite and strike straight at the enemy's lair!
Han Shichong was more cautious and said, "There's probably more than one thief. It's too risky for just the few of us. If Yang Hua has been set up in some kind of trap, going there would be like walking into a snare."
Gu Qingxuan smiled and said, "General, there's no need to worry too much. All their scheming is for Qiu Baichuan's few items. Those who would be interested in Qiu Baichuan's things are not some peerless masters."
That's true.
Han Shichong nodded and began to consider in his mind who among the experts he could currently invite could both keep the situation under control and pose absolutely no risk of leaking secrets.
A moment later, his eyes lit up: "I've got it!"
Shen Xiaoxiao immediately pressed, "Who did the general think of? This person is not easy to find. No one knows which force is behind them. If we choose the wrong person, we will be inviting trouble and making things worse."
"You know this person."
Han Shichong said in a deep voice, "Master Yuxuan, Yang Jingting!"
Shen Xiaoxiao and Gu Qingxuan exchanged a glance, both thinking of the handsome and otherworldly young Taoist priest from last night.
Han Shichong said, "This morning he accompanied the eldest princess to the palace to meet the emperor. Princess Chongning invited him to stay and discuss the art of alchemy and health preservation. He is currently selecting medicinal materials in the medicine storehouse by Taiye Pond to prepare for alchemy. That place is only an incense stick's distance from here, so he should still be here at this moment."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoxiao nodded and said, "Master Yang is the disciple of the Immortal Elder and the junior brother of the eldest princess. In terms of status and vision, he would never have any designs on Qiu Baichuan's things. Although he is young, he is already a master at the peak of the Innate Realm, and he also has the protective treasures of Kunlun Ruins. He is strong enough and safe enough."
Gu Qingxuan had no objections.
It doesn't matter who helps him, because he'll get the credit anyway.
As long as you don't mess things up.
Han Shichong didn't delay any longer and said in a deep voice, "I'll go and invite them myself!"
He flashed out of the warehouse door.
The warehouse door closed again, the dull sound echoing in the empty warehouse.
Only the few anxious-looking Imperial Guards, along with Shen Xiaoxiao and Gu Qingxuan, remained in the room.
Gu Qingxuan casually pulled over a chair and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the storeroom full of rare treasures, a hint of envy undisguised in his eyes.
Seeing his expression, Shen Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh and said, "What, are you envious? You solved a case that the Zhenfu Division couldn't solve for half a month with just one move today. Once this case is closed, Zhenfu Wu will definitely reward you handsomely."
Gu Qingxuan leaned back lazily and said, "That's great. I'm short of money and pills right now. I need to refine my body and cultivate my qi. I can't do without resources."
Body tempering is alright; with a dragon-elephant physique, one can fight against innate beings.
The Qi Refining skill is too difficult to master. Even at the second level of the Acquired Realm, it's exhausting to use "Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations" once!
Shen Xiaoxiao was silent for a moment, looking at his clean-cut features, and couldn't help but say, "I'm really curious, how did you do that? Yang Jingting cultivates the ultimate technique of the Qi Observation lineage, the 'Azure Qi Observation Technique,' and even he couldn't see the secret of this painting, yet you recognized it at a glance... Could it be that there are truly people in this world who are born with knowledge?"
Gu Qingxuan raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Exceptional talent, something you can't envy."
Shen Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at him and was about to speak when footsteps sounded again outside the warehouse.
Han Shichong led Yang Jingting in.
Yang Jingting was still wearing the same light blue Taoist robe as last night, with a gentle expression. He had clearly overheard their conversation.
He laughed heartily, his tone upright: "There are heavens beyond heavens, and people beyond people. I knew last night that Commander Gu was no ordinary person, and after meeting him today, I admire him even more. In terms of the art of observing qi, I humbly admit defeat."
Gu Qingxuan was the kind of person who responded better to gentle persuasion than force. Seeing how polite and generous he was, he couldn't help but feel a bit of goodwill towards him. He immediately stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Master Yang, you flatter me. It's good to see you again. Since you've arrived, let's not delay any longer."
He pointed to the painting "Landscape in a Painting" on the wall and said solemnly, "By infusing your true energy into the lone boat in the painting, you can activate it. The journey ahead is fraught with danger, so please be careful, Master."
Yang Jingting nodded, his expression calm, and said, "Eliminating traitors and suppressing bandits is my duty."
He took out a small copper bell from his sleeve and held it in his palm. Then he stepped forward and pointed at the lone boat in the painting.
With the infusion of true energy, ripples of ink-colored light suddenly appeared on the scroll, and a strange suction force surged out from it.
Yang Jingting's figure swayed, and he suddenly disappeared into the painting.
Han Shichong turned to the Imperial Guards and ordered in a deep voice, "You few, come along!"
Those Imperial Guards dared not delay, and quickly gripped their weapons, filed in, and disappeared into the painting one after another.
Shen Xiaoxiao flashed and followed closely behind; Gu Qingxuan took a deep breath and stepped into the painting.
The light and shadow before my eyes suddenly changed, as if I had fallen into an endless sea of ink. When my vision cleared again, I found myself on that lone boat in the painting.
Han Shichong was the last to step in, and the dark vortex behind him slowly closed.
The group stood at the bow of the boat. The lone boat, without anyone punting it, drifted downstream on its own.
In the distance, mountains stretch endlessly, shrouded in clouds and mist, with a crescent moon faintly visible hanging in the sky, just as seen outside the painting.
Gu Qingxuan looked around and sighed inwardly at how mysterious the methods of the Divine Paint Sect were.
The world depicted in this painting, every blade of grass, every tree, every mountain, and every rock, is so lifelike, yet it possesses the unique freehand and ethereal quality of ink wash painting, making it difficult to distinguish whether one is in the painting or the painting resides in one's heart.
Shen Xiaoxiao stood beside him, her gaze sweeping over the scenery on both banks, and said softly, "The secret techniques of the upper realm are truly miraculous..."
The lone boat drifted downstream, passing through a narrow gorge, and suddenly the view opened up before us.
As the river widened, the cliffs on both banks receded into the distance, becoming faint shadows of distant mountains. At the end of the river, a dark gate of light appeared suspended in mid-air.
The portal was about the height of a person, shaped like a full moon, with dark energy flowing around its edges and faint light and shadow flickering in its center.
It was clearly the exit of Yangtu.
Gu Qingxuan's eyes narrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Everyone, we've arrived!"