Star Trace Gate

Chapter 947 The Duel Between the Loach and the Fox: Intimidating Liu Wei

In the morning, Ren hurriedly ate breakfast and then rushed to the inner courtyard of Beifeng Town.

Upon entering, a minor civil official led Ren Ye to the flower-viewing pavilion at the back of the inner palace courtyard. As soon as he looked up, he saw the monk Moro sitting in the pavilion, drinking tea alone while flipping through official documents that were at least half an arm's length high.

Moro looked to be only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, extremely handsome, with round eyes and a dignified appearance. If it weren't for the fact that he always wore a somber purple robe and had the appearance of a bald monk, he would probably have charmed many naive young girls.

Ren first met him in Tiandu, and then spent nearly three days with him on the way to Beifeng Town. Logically speaking, even if they weren't close friends who knew each other intimately, they could still be considered acquaintances.

Despite spending three whole days together, Ren Ye couldn't claim to have gotten to know this man at all, as they hadn't exchanged more than twenty words in total. This young monk, Moro, was indeed unusually taciturn; he not only ignored him but also rarely interacted with the other five monks traveling with him.

Furthermore, Little Bad King could also tell that he wasn't the kind of person who pretended to be profound and sparing with words, but rather someone who genuinely spoke little, and who truly gave people the feeling of profound Buddhist teachings, a peaceful state of mind, and extremely stable emotions.

Perhaps this is a unique characteristic of Buddhist practitioners: once they reach a high level, they will conceal their sharpness, keep their wisdom hidden in their hearts, and not share it with others.

Moro's only minor slip-up occurred when the young lord revealed the whereabouts of the Human Emperor's successor. It was based on this, along with Wang Tudou's attitude towards them, that Little Bad King deduced that he and the five accompanying monks were likely players.

Whether the other party realized he was a player remains unknown to Little Bad King.

“Lord Zhenyi, my chief official is waiting for you in the pavilion. You may go on your own; I will not disturb you any longer,” the civil official said, bowing slightly.

"Thank you for your trouble." Ren nodded politely.

As soon as he finished speaking, the clerk turned and left. Ren Ye then stepped outside the pavilion, bowed slightly, and said, "This humble official greets Lord Moro."

Moro gently raised his head and said with a faint smile, "Hehe, we've traveled together all the way here, so we're old acquaintances. Junior Brother Zhenyi, there's no need for such formalities. Come, sit down."

"Thank you, senior brother." Ren Ye seized the opportunity and replied sweetly, then sat down opposite Moro in the pavilion: "Senior brother, you've only just taken office and you already have to handle so many official documents. You're really working hard and diligently."

Moro slowly put down the official document in his hand and said softly, "As the old saying goes, 'A monk rings the bell every day,' and that saying is quite fitting for this situation. I wouldn't call myself diligent, but I'll do my best to get things done. Come, Junior Brother Zhenyi, have some tea."

Ren had no idea what the other party wanted to do, so he could only give an awkward laugh, reach out and take the teacup, and say no more.

Moro's face was bathed in the bright morning sun, and his skin looked crystal clear and radiant.

Sure enough, after exchanging only a few perfunctory words with Ren Ye, he went straight to the point and asked, "Junior Brother Zhenyi, it's been two days since you arrived in Beifeng Town. How is your appointment going?"

Ren subtly put down the teacup he had just touched to his lips, and then replied ambiguously, "I used to serve my master in the temple, so I don't know much about the ways of officialdom. I've just taken office, and there are indeed some things that I'm a bit flustered about, but overall, things are going smoothly...!"

“Yes, Northwind Town is a city that has just been captured, and the internal situation must be extremely complex. You are new to officialdom and have been given an important position... This can be considered a kind of training by your master.” Moro took a sip of hot tea and then said, “The most important task of the Northwind Town government is to coordinate internal and external affairs and take charge of internal politics. And your position in the inner government’s supply depot is responsible for inventorying the town’s huge wealth, including property, weapons, treasures, and supplies. Therefore, your position... is of paramount importance in Northwind Town.”

No, brother, you're the head of the inner palace! Why are you giving me such a compliment out of the blue? Is there something you want me to take the blame for? When Ren heard this, he replied very lightly, "The baggage department is under the jurisdiction of the inner palace, and I will do my best to fulfill my duties under the guidance of Senior Brother Moro."

Upon hearing this reply, Moro paused slightly with his right hand holding the teapot. Then, while pouring himself some tea, he pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "Junior Brother Zhenyi, have you looked at the Star Source accounts for the supply depot? Do the amounts match? Are there any discrepancies?"

His question came as a complete surprise, like a couple doing aerobics in bed when the person above suddenly asks, "Honey, have you washed your feet?"

This one sentence sent Ren Ye's mind into a frenzy. He initially tried to give a perfunctory reply, but then immediately realized the question was a trap. Last night, when he and Master Chu went to the underground vault, they were stopped by Niu Dali's guards. While this incident wasn't exactly a major scandal, if Moro had been keeping an eye on him recently, or secretly inquiring and observing, it wouldn't be hard to know that he had forcefully barged into the underground vault last night…

Therefore, if Ren Ye were to reply to Moro at this point that the supply depot's accounts were fine, then he would be lying to his superior and giving them the runaround. This would make Moro wary and even generate serious suspicion, making future working relationships extremely difficult...

Most importantly, these six Moro people are definitely travelers with unclear purposes. So if Ren shows any abnormality at this time and arouses the other party's suspicion, the other party may further monitor and investigate him, making him hesitant in his subsequent actions.

However, if Little Bad King were to reply that there were problems or discrepancies in the Star Source accounts, it would be tantamount to handing over the initiative in the subsequent conversation to the other party for nothing. Because if Moro were to ask him in return, "Since there are problems with the accounts, have you investigated them? How far have you gotten?", it would force Ren Ye to bring up some details and speculations about the Star Source disappearance case, and would also expose his strong desire to investigate the case recently.

Therefore, this seemingly casual question actually carries a strong sense of probing. A poor response could very well plunge Ren into some unknown predicament.

"Hehe...!" After a brief pause, the little rascal gave a wry smile with a troubled expression.

"What's wrong? Is there anything in the Star Origin General Account that's bothering Junior Brother Zhenyi?" Moro asked softly.

"Ugh……!"

Ren shook his head, pretending to make up his mind, and sighed as if he wanted to open his heart. Then he picked up the teacup that had just touched his lips and took a big gulp.

Moro simply looked at him, reached out to pour him some tea, but didn't say anything more.

"To be honest, Brother Moro, I think... there's something fishy about the total amount of Star Source after this ruined city." Ren Ye smacked his lips and lowered his voice, "I've looked at the total amount of Star Source that the entire North Wind Town has received is only a little over 20 million. You tell me, even if a strategically important town like this is in terrible condition, it shouldn't have such a small amount of Star Source reserves, right?"

"Hmm." Moro nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

“But every single Star Source entry in these accounts has a source and is meticulously recorded. Looking at the accounts alone, there seems to be no problem.” Ren Ye craned his neck, his face full of worry. “Senior brother, I think the very fact that there’s no problem is precisely what indicates a problem. A city ravaged by war, and these accounts were compiled in just one or two days—yet they’re flawless… Do you think the final form of these accounts could be the work of just one person? If not, and I were to investigate too thoroughly… wouldn’t that alarm many demons and monsters?”

"I've tried to visit some places these past two days, but I've been quite restrained and haven't gone too deep into anything... As you know, I'm new here, and although my master is taking care of me, I'm completely clueless about Beifeng Town."

"To be honest, I'm really scared. I'm really scared that if I make a mistake, I'll startle someone I can't handle, or even... the people of Tianzhao City, and bring disaster upon myself."

After rambling on with a worried expression, Ren suddenly asked, "Senior brother, we're old acquaintances, and you're my boss. So tell me... should I acquiesce to this whole mess, or... try to investigate further?"

"Oh dear, I asked you if you had any questions, and you've thrown them back at me. You've got some skills..." Moro paused slightly at the question, then slowly picked up his teacup, seemingly deep in thought.

Before long, Moro's expression returned to normal, and his eyes shone as he looked at Ren Ye again, then repeated, "As I said, the most important thing for our inner court is to coordinate internal and external affairs, to take charge of internal affairs, and to establish a foothold for our Tianzhao Temple in the north of Tiandu. In terms of this mission, neither of us needs to be responsible to the local area, but rather to the temple."

"The total amount in this ledger is only a little over 20 million Star Sources, which is indeed absurd. Even if you choose to acquiesce and hand over this ledger to the temple, you will only receive a reprimand and a thorough investigation. And I will not escape punishment for dereliction of duty...!"

"So you mean...?!" Ren tried to ask half a question.

"Not only must we investigate, but we must investigate thoroughly and meticulously, and we must recover the Star Source that is not recorded in the accounts." Moro originally wanted Ren Ye to prove his loyalty and investigate on his own, and then he would give an ambiguous tacit approval. That way, if any major upheavals were to occur in North Wind Town in the future, it wouldn't have a direct impact on him. However, he didn't expect that the kid in front of him was even more slippery than an old mudfish, not giving him any chance to extend his tacit approval. Therefore, he could only clearly state his position and give orders as a superior.

“If Senior Brother says to investigate, then we definitely will.” Upon hearing this, Ren Ye unhesitatingly pledged his loyalty: “I will listen to Senior Brother.”

"..." Moro paused for a moment, then said softly, "Just as you said, the amount in this account is too absurd, and may involve many demons and monsters, so when you investigate, do not make a fuss, just proceed slowly in secret."

“I understand, I understand. It means smiling on the surface but scheming behind the scenes.” Ren replied very clearly, and then added cautiously, “Senior brother, this case is likely to involve many people. Although I am investigating in secret and not making a fuss, if I encounter some tough nuts who are not cooperating with me at all… then with my position as the head of the Inner Palace’s supply depot, I’m afraid it will be difficult to make them submit.”

So you mean we have to take something really hard with us? Moro blinked, then raised his right arm and picked up the pen and paper on the table, saying, "That's easy...!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he lowered his head and wrote a "Financial Account Investigation Order" on a blank sheet of paper, which was personally written by the head of the Imperial Household Department. Then, he stamped the Imperial Household Department's seal below the investigation order.

After he finished writing it, he looked at it carefully again before handing it to Ren Ye: "This investigation order should be used with caution. It should not be shown to others unless absolutely necessary, and you should not use this order to do anything unrelated to this case."

"Understood, understood." Ren nodded repeatedly and reached out to take the order.

"brush!"

Unexpectedly, Moro slightly withdrew the investigation warrant, pulling it back a short distance, and then asked succinctly, "Junior Brother Zhenyi, do you understand why I called you here to talk and gave you the investigation warrant today?"

Ren immediately grinned: "Understood, of course I understand. From now on in Beifeng Town, I'm Moro's man, and all matters, big and small, in the supply depot will follow the direction set by the Inner Court. As for the others, hehe, they're all just passersby...!"

"Junior brother is very insightful in his dealings with people." Moro nodded slightly before handing the investigation warrant to the other party.