Star Trace Gate

Chapter 857 Entering Zhao's Mansion, Meeting Zhao Mi, and Staying Quiet for 1 Hour

As everyone knows, the Zhao family is the leader of the four major families in Xuwang Village, and its background is unfathomable.

However, when Ren Ye stood at the back door of the Zhao Mansion, he felt that it was not quite what he had imagined. Although the Zhao Mansion covered a large area, comparable to the royal residence of a great dynasty, after careful perception, he found that the quaint courtyard was not as grand and luxurious as he had imagined.

Its construction specifications and grandeur even seem to be slightly inferior to the Yin family's pharmacy.

Oh, so, after reaching the pinnacle of power, one no longer bothers using worldly possessions to demonstrate one's status? Does this also confirm the saying that being low-key is the most impressive form of showing off?

The Little Bad King was like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. He stood at the back door of the Zhao Mansion, "looking around", and was very excited inside.

He was looking forward to it very much and had guessed countless times in his mind why he came to Zhao's house to meet Zhao Mi every night. What was he doing? What kind of secrets existed between this old man and this young boy?

But unfortunately, the information provided by Tiandao was too little, which left him with no idea at all.

Amitabha, Infinite Heavenly Venerable, and the great Human Emperor, please bless me. I hope that tonight’s experience can give me some useful information... just a drop, even just one drop will do!

“Trample, tramp, tramp…!”

Ren waited for less than a quarter of an hour before he heard steady footsteps coming from the open back door of the Zhao Mansion.

Soon, a handsome young man in white came out to greet them.

He was probably around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with a slender build and a slightly thin figure. He had a handsome face, red lips and white teeth, and looked very elegant.

Ren also emitted his perception and instantly "recognized" the other person. This person's name was Zhao Haochen, also with the courtesy name Mingrui. He was the sixth son of Zhao Mi, the head of the Zhao family. He was a legitimate male with extraordinary talent, and was currently the chief inspector of the Xuwang Village Patrol Hall.

The patrol court, the punishment court, the law court, etc. are all part of the "judicial system" of Xuwang Village. Simply put, the patrol court is the constable of Xuwang Village, responsible for investigating cases, filing cases, and arresting people. The chief constable, to put it bluntly, is the head of the constables and the top leader.

Zhao Haochen's personality and temperament truly made him quite unusual in this illusory village. The people here believed in the principle of "first come, first served" and the law of the jungle, so most of them appeared rough, aloof, even cold-blooded, with a sense of indifference and undisguised selfishness.

But he looked elegant and easy-going, always slow and overly steady. Even the clothes he wore were different from the tight black clothes worn by the people here. His white clothes were loose, soft, and dust-free.

Young Master Zhao walked out of the courtyard and when he saw Ren Ye, he nodded with a smile: "Are you here?"

"I am the blind man from the Death Prison, honored to meet the Lord in charge of the hall." Ren also bowed solemnly.

"Haha, come every day, you're welcome."

Young Master Zhao waved his sleeves and said, "Father is waiting for you. Please come in with me."

"Yes."

Ren also straightened his back, and followed this elegant young man excitedly, and walked into the Zhao Mansion.

In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun enveloped the courtyard of the Zhao Mansion, and the sunset glow was golden, with gorgeous and soft colors.

The Zhao family is a large clan. Zhao Mi alone has 32 children. The entire clan has more than 2,000 people. Regardless of gender, age or status, everyone has embarked on the path of cultivation, making the family extremely prosperous.

It was just past dinner time and there were many elderly people taking a walk in the courtyard, and groups of children playing and fighting. It looked happy and warm.

Ren also sensed this scene, feeling a little envious. He secretly sighed, "Whether it's a dynasty or a family, if they want to prosper long-term, they still need a large population. With more people, there are opportunities and a future... When I marry my beloved concubine, I'll first let her have a battalion of 1,000 guards... I wonder if she'll agree."

Young Master Zhao led the way, chatting casually, "Congratulations! You got an excellent grade on your performance test again this month!"

When Ren Ye heard this, his expression was very confused, because he had no idea that Yin Ping had given him an excellent performance test today.

Young Master Zhao turned slightly and saw his puzzled expression, so he added, "Our Third Hall has monthly performance reviews, and today was the grand summary. I stumbled upon your list. Haha, I didn't expect you and Yin Ping to get along so well."

"I guess your salary will increase next month."

When Ren heard this, he felt warm in his heart. He also felt that although Yin Ping was a little too arrogant and sharp-tongued, and looked down on the weak, his character was still quite good overall, and he lived up to his "merit" of boiling water for his bath every day.

When he thought of this, and imagined the state of the three-headed Hades beast after being aroused, he felt a little guilty.

Alas, I sincerely hope that outside the archives room, Master Yin had a fight with the Hades Beast instead of having a short marriage.

Ren also followed behind Master Zhao and saluted, saying, "Master Yin is an upright man and has indeed taken good care of me."

"kindness."

Young Master Zhao nodded and offered encouragement, "As the saying goes, there's always a way out. Sometimes, the lower your starting point, the greater the progress you make. You're in prison, but if you behave well, you'll be eligible to participate in the Road to Departure in the future. When the opportunity arises, it will come. Don't be discouraged."

Ren also took advantage of the opportunity and smoothly continued, "With Mr. Zhao's encouragement, I am even more motivated."

The two of them talked as they walked, and soon they passed through three courtyards and arrived at the inner courtyard in the deepest part of the Zhao Mansion.

Although this inner courtyard is not too big, it is full of green plants and has a very spiritual energy. It looks very quiet.

There is only one main hall in the inner courtyard, with a plaque with the three characters "Wudao Lu" hanging above the hall; on both sides of the main hall, there are towering ancient trees, lush vines and flowers, and from time to time, birds hide in the middle of the lush branches and leaves, emitting pleasant chirping sounds.

Young Master Zhao stopped in front of the Wudao Hut and said with a smile, "Go ahead. Father is waiting for you. I'll pick you up in an hour."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao." Ren also nodded.

After he finished speaking, Zhao Haochen turned and left, while Ren Ye stood in front of the Wudao Pavilion. After forcing himself to calm down his excitement, he stepped onto the stairs and entered through the open door of the temple.

Wudao House is filled with antique wooden furniture that is very elegant in appearance, and there are also many precious books collected on the dozens of bookshelves on the left and right sides.

Ren also sensed his surroundings and found that the light in Wudao Pavilion was rather dim. There were only seven or eight oil lamps placed on the four walls, emitting weak light. On the left side of the hall, there was a low desk that could only be used by one person, with a scroll on it.

Under the desk is a couch slightly higher than the ground, which looks about the size of a double bed.

Ren Ye stood in the hall and continued to "peek" forward, but he noticed a vague figure behind a huge screen. He was also sitting behind the desk, and seemed to be reading some ancient books.

The figure exuded a monstrous black aura, which was far more oppressive than any other person the Little Bad King had ever seen in this illusory village.

When the Little Bad King triggered the mission of secretly meeting with the head of the Zhao family, Tiandao described the mission as "quiet for an hour". He didn't understand the meaning of these words, but when he thought of the words quiet and secret meeting, it was not difficult to judge that there should be no outsiders here.

Then the figure hidden behind the screen...

Ren also pondered for a moment, then bowed solemnly and shouted, "I greet Lord Zhao."

"Today I won't be reading ancient books. I'll just be visualizing a painting. Sit down and read it..."

Behind the screen, Zhao Mi, the head of the Zhao family, replied without even raising his head.

His voice sounded low, but not hoarse, instead it was clear and rich. Three breaths after he spoke, the sound still lingered in the hall.

Ren Ye stood in the antique hall, feeling very confused and puzzled.

Today I won’t read ancient books, I’ll just contemplate the scroll. What the hell does this mean?

Could it be that when I come to the Zhao family to see Zhao Mi every day, I am actually seeking enlightenment and cultivation?

On the surface, I am a wild dog, but in fact, my master is the village's sweeping monk and the leader of the four major families?

Isn't this nonsense?

If he is truly my master, then you, old man, would be the boss of the four major families. So why would you have to take off your pants and fart to meet me every evening?!

Is there some shameful relationship?

Could it be... he's a bastard? I'm a bastard?!

dad?

Damn, what a bloody plot...

The Little Bad King's speculations gradually became more and more outrageous.

With doubts in his heart, he walked to the small desk and slowly sat down.

Since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it. He couldn't understand the other party's intentions, nor could he recall what happened yesterday. He could only sit behind the desk and reach out to pick up the scroll.

The scroll feels cold to the touch. The scroll is made of crystal clear jade, and the edge of the paper is lined with gold thread. It feels heavy in the hand and full of texture.

He slowly spread out the scroll, ready to read it.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the hall, and Zhao Mi's personal butler, a middle-aged man in his forties, walked into the hall at a very fast pace.

He stood in front of Ren Ye and said, "Master, I have something urgent to report."

Behind the screen, Zhao Mi frowned slightly impatiently and called out, "Come forward and talk."

"Yes."

After getting permission, the middle-aged butler stepped forward with a hunched back, walked around the screen and stood on the left side of the desk.

From Ren Ye's position, he could only sense two blurry figures behind the screen, with black energy surging around them, but he could not see the other party's true appearance at all.

The middle-aged butler bent slightly and presented a case file with both hands. He then added, "Master, this is the death row case file submitted by the Criminal Court. Number 79 has been interrogated three times, but still refuses to speak... The Criminal Court feels that they can no longer pry Number 79 open his mouth, so they are presenting the case file to you to hear your opinion."

Zhao Mi took the case file, unfolded it, and carefully read it before softly replying, "This intruder No. 79 clearly came prepared, harboring some unspeakable secrets."

"His intentions are hard to guess, but the person who knows the situation in Xuwang Village best must also be its sworn enemy. This person had been wandering outside the village for some time before he was captured... He must know a lot about the village's past."

"If such a person stays, it will bring disaster."

"Inform the Criminal Court to transfer the case file of Intruder No. 79 to the Court of Justice within tomorrow. My position is that this person...will perish on the Death Memorial Day in three days."

"But everything must comply with the rules. After the Punishment Hall transfers the case to the Law Hall, a meeting of the four clans will be held. If no one objects, then this person can be added to the list of those to be sacrificed."

As soon as he finished speaking, he handed the case file of intruder No. 79 to the butler.

"Yes, I will report to the Punishment Court." The butler took the case file and bowed, saying, "This old servant will withdraw now."

After the two of them finished talking, the housekeeper walked out of Wudao Pavilion, and Zhao Mi raised his arm slightly, summoning a breeze and closing the door of the inner hall.

He sat behind the screen and reminded her succinctly, "Start reading...!"

"Yes."

Zhao Mi and the housekeeper's conversation was not carried out behind anyone's back, so the Little Bad King also heard their exchange. However, his mind was not on this at the moment. He was only concentrating on thinking about what this "quiet for an hour" task was.