Chapter 120: Sun Lingtong’s Unruly Tantrum

"Thirdly, Meng Kui, the current Lord of Fire Persimmon City, possesses a divine ability known as 'Mountain-Watching,' which is truly formidable."

"Among the four great generals of the Meng family, Meng Kui is the only strategist. He has managed Fire Persimmon Immortal City for many years, and his administration is efficient and orderly."

"You possess Golden Core cultivation, the Heavenly Golden Eyes, and are protected by treasures from the royal treasury, giving you exceptional combat power."

"However, once Meng Kui unleashes 'Mountain-Watching,' it creates a field of destiny that causes the fortunes of all living beings within it to fluctuate violently."

"Treasures capable of suppressing one's fortune are extremely rare. Without such a precious artifact to protect you, you will be unable to anchor your own destiny and will inevitably be disrupted."

"I shall bestow upon you a Wind-Rising Bell to serve as a warning!"

"This subject kowtows and thanks the King for his grace!" Zhu Xuanji knelt on one knee once more.

Finally, the Sovereign of the Southern Bean Kingdom waved his hand: "Information regarding the Magma Immortal Palace is classified. Records are kept in the royal secret realm. You must review them before you depart; it will assist you in completing this mission. Remember, all secrets must not be leaked!"

"As you command, Your Majesty!" Zhu Xuanji received the order and withdrew.

Zhu Xuanji left the capital. Alone, incognito, he traveled a long distance until he reached Fire Persimmon Mountain.

"The Meng family," Zhu Xuanji thought, his expression grave. In the Southern Bean Kingdom, the Su family and the Meng family were equally renowned and held comparable power.

Zhu Xuanji sneaked all the way to the summit, only to have his presence discovered. Using his Heavenly Golden Eyes, he gazed into the distance at the Magma Immortal Palace—his first time seeing it with his own eyes.

He took Chi Dun to visit the Zheng family and obtained intelligence regarding the black-shadow demonic cultivator. He delved deep into the Scarlet Flame Demon Grotto, using the Trace-Seeking Source Technique to discover that the Fire Spirits and the Clockwork Fire-Exploding Monkeys were the true culprits behind the bombing of the Immortal Palace.

Then, the investigation stalled. Whether it was the Clockwork Fire-Exploding Monkeys or the Fire Spirits, both leads had been deliberately engineered and were of extremely low value.

During the Fire Persimmon Festival, Zhu Xuanji monitored the entire scene but found no trace of the black-shadow demonic cultivator. Yuan Dasheng’s performance earned his sympathy, while Yuan Er left him disappointed and repulsed.

From the fragments of the Clockwork Fire-Exploding Monkeys, he collected countless clues again, but he decisively abandoned them, concluding they were red herrings meant to distract him and drain his time and energy. He surmised that the black-shadow demonic cultivator was likely in league with a faction within the city. The opponent had clearly anticipated the Trace-Seeking Source Technique and was well-hidden—a difficult foe to pin down.

Zhu Xuanji decided to put in the hard work. He requested all records of the four major factions and constructed a list of suspects. He deliberately published the list in hopes of startling the snake out of its hole. He acted with calculated high-profile, investigating Li Leifeng first.

The result was a trap! Li Leifeng died of old age. Zhu Xuanji investigated in secret to confirm it was the truth.

Thereafter, he spent his time wholeheartedly examining the city, reviewing the past performance records of officials and clerks, but found no suitable candidate. He drafted a memorial to the royal court, stating the facts and hoping the Zhu family would dispatch a member to take on the responsibility of the warden.

Zhu Xuanji continued his investigation. When demonic cultivators resisted, he killed Zhao Die and then Liu Ying, confirming they did not possess the "Human Life Hanging Thread" ability.

His high-profile actions triggered a series of reactions. The demonic cultivators and rogue cultivators in Fire Persimmon Immortal City either fled, banded together, or sought protection. This did not stump Zhu Xuanji, and the investigation proceeded step by step.

During this period, the cultivation geniuses of the four major factions were simultaneously subjected to sneak attacks and assassinations. Zhu Xuanji immediately investigated, uncovering many clues, though the key links were all severed. Still, most pointed toward Fei Si.

Zhu Xuanji understood the situation but kept it to himself. He was quite disappointed, realizing this was not the true culprit he sought, but rather an internal clash between the four major factions. The three great families wanted to use him as a weapon against the City Lord’s mansion to further their own interests. Zhu Xuanji saw through it all.

He questioned Su Xiyao. During the interrogation, the Zhou family sent an elder to accompany her, providing her with backing. Zhu Xuanji did not detect any lies from Su Xiyao and walked out of the Zhou residence expressionless.

"Interesting," he murmured, looking up at the sky. Such a commotion, disturbing so many people, yet the true culprit remained elusive. "The person behind this is very well-hidden."

Zhu Xuanji unfolded the suspect list and looked at it again. His list was divided into three sections.

The first section consisted of cultivators confirmed to have entered the Magma Immortal Palace, such as the two Golden Core cultivators of the Zheng family, the Golden Core ancestor of the Zhou family, Li Leifeng, Zhao Die, Liu Ying, Su Xiyao, and so on.

The second section listed cultivators with significant mechanical expertise who met the criteria for entering the palace, but for whom the four factions had no records of entry. Among them was the "Braid-Haired Guest."

The third section listed those with mechanical skills who had either entered the palace or had no records, but were generally accepted as dead.

He had already investigated the first section and was now onto the second. After vetting two people, it was the Braid-Haired Guest’s turn.

The Braid-Haired Guest was mysterious, but he had sold a large number of mechanical creations on the black market multiple times. He last appeared when he conspired with Han Ming to raid the Ziyang Villa, cooperating with a mysterious third party to successfully steal a large quantity of medicinal pills. Curiously, these pills appeared in the Fire Persimmon Forest and then mysteriously vanished.

Zhu Xuanji had long been aware of this lead, but after some thought, he felt the Braid-Haired Guest had little connection to the black-shadow demonic cultivator. Sun Lie had tampered with the pills to guard against Han Ming! The Braid-Haired Guest’s group had likely seen through the trick, realized the pills were unusable, and discarded them. To seek revenge or shift the blame, they had thrown the pills into the Fire Persimmon Forest, framing the black-shadow demonic cultivator. If the City Lord’s mansion and the black-shadow cultivator fought, the Fire Persimmon Forest would surely suffer, causing heavy losses for the mansion. At that point, those demonic cultivators would surely watch from the sidelines and gloat.

Zhu Xuanji approved of Fei Si’s handling of the Fire Persimmon Forest. Fei Si did his job well, truly protecting the immense wealth of the forest. This was for the sake of both the City Lord’s mansion and the Southern Bean Kingdom.

Zhu Xuanji’s logic regarding the relationship between the Braid-Haired Guest and the black-shadow demonic cultivator was simple and straightforward: if they were truly in league, why not deliver the pills secretly? Why make such a scene that everyone knew about it?

Even so, following his list, he had reached the Braid-Haired Guest.

"The master of the black market is named Sun Lingtong, a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator and an outer disciple of the Voidless Sect. He must know something." With this thought, Zhu Xuanji went to find him.

"The Braid-Haired Guest, eh?" Sun Lingtong’s large eyes rolled, and he said with a smirk, "Lord Zhu, what do you want with him?"

Zhu Xuanji was expressionless. "You need only cooperate and tell me the details. Why I seek him is none of your concern."

Sun Lingtong scratched his head. "Oh my, it’s hard for me to lie in front of Lord Zhu!"

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly. "Sun Lingtong, I have investigated you. Although you are the master of the black market, you are not a wicked person. Over the years, you have reorganized the black market and adhered to the rules you established yourself. In a way, you have prevented much bloodshed and conflict."

"Just tell the truth, and I will not make things difficult for you!"

Sun Lingtong spread his hands. "Then I’ll tell you: I know the Braid-Haired Guest’s whereabouts, but if you want to know, Lord, you need this!" As he spoke, Sun Lingtong extended his delicate fingers and rubbed them together in front of Zhu Xuanji.

"You want money? Hahaha!" Zhu Xuanji was so angry he laughed. "Since I began handling cases, I have never paid to buy information. You are really pushing your luck—you are incredibly bold!"

"Hm?" Suddenly, a flash of gold passed through Zhu Xuanji’s eyes. His expression changed. "No, you are lying. Even if I paid you, you would not reveal the truth!"

This time, it was Sun Lingtong’s turn to change color.

"Interesting!" Zhu Xuanji stared at Sun Lingtong, the golden light in his eyes intensifying. "You are protecting the Braid-Haired Guest so fiercely. It seems you were involved in the Ziyang Villa case as well?"

Sun Lingtong shrieked, "Lord Zhu, what are you talking about? You are trying to frame me! I’m just a child, and you’re an adult—you’re bullying and slandering me to my face? Help! Someone come and see! The Great Detective Zhu is bullying people!"

Sun Lingtong sat on the ground, beating his chest and wailing loudly. "This is too much bullying! There is no kindness at all; a royal family member is bullying a child! Wuwuwu... I don’t want to live anymore! I’m being framed by someone from the Zhu family! A great detective making accusations without evidence! How am I supposed to live after this? My reputation! What will others think of me? Heavens! I might as well be dead! Wuwuwu, I’m so pitiful!"

"Quick, record this scene with a jade slip; I’ll keep it for my future grievance petition! Come and see! The Zhu royal family is bullying the common people!"

Sun Lingtong was covered in tears and snot, rolling on the ground and flailing his delicate arms and legs.

Zhu Xuanji: "..."

The street vendor who had just been kicked to the ground by Sun Lingtong: "..."

However, the few burly men brought by Sun Lingtong remained silent and indifferent, clearly accustomed to this. One of them actually pulled out a jade slip and began recording the scene.

Zhu Xuanji was so angry he laughed out loud. "Do you think throwing a tantrum will help you escape my investigation? Sun Lingtong, stand up! Don't make me look down on you!"

Sun Lingtong wailed, "No, I won't! Come and see, someone is bullying a child!" While crying, he crawled toward Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji subconsciously stepped back, but Sun Lingtong grabbed his leg. Zhu Xuanji was annoyed, shaking his leg while shouting, "Sun Lingtong, you run the black market and are a prominent figure. How is this any different from a three-year-old child?"

Sun Lingtong replied, "I don't care! You are bullying me! If you have evidence, show it! Wuwuwu, my master isn't here, so you’re picking on a weak child. Do you even have a conscience?"

This commotion attracted many onlookers. Zhu Xuanji’s face turned green as he shook his leg frantically. Sun Lingtong held on tight, like a piece of dog-skin plaster, refusing to let go. He even rubbed his face against Zhu Xuanji’s trousers, wiping his snot and tears onto them.

Zhu Xuanji: "Sun Lingtong, you’ve gone too far!"

Sun Lingtong yelled, "Beat me to death then, Lord Zhu! Go ahead and beat a child to death! You’re the great Lord Zhu who protects the people—how could you possibly be wrong?"