Chapter 5069 — An Invitation
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"I know it wasn't your people who did it. But what about those outside your ranks? Surely you aren't going to tell me the Mystery Bureau can police every cultivator in the mortal world?" Xue Jianming shook his head mildly.
"As far as I know, no one in the mortal world has ever surpassed the peak of the Heaven Grade. To claim this affair has anything to do with the mortal world—I'm afraid that carries little credibility," Qiu Lingshan replied, neither servile nor overbearing. This was no trifling matter; it concerned the entire cultivation world of the mortal realm, and she certainly could not simply own up to it.
"Don't be so quick to speak in absolutes. The two men the Tai Gu Alliance lost—one was at the very peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, the other at the late Foundation Establishment stage. True, ordinary mortal-world cultivators could never have killed them. But the killer is an anomaly—a cultivator in primordial-spirit form. Since the Mystery Bureau claims to govern the mortal world's cultivators, I trust you must keep records and files on such matters here." Xue Jianming spoke with certainty.
"A primordial-spirit cultivator?" Qiu Lingshan was taken aback, and the others with her were struck dumb as well. "What is that?"
"You truly don't know?" Xue Jianming studied their blank expressions with some surprise. "Even without precise intelligence, surely there must be rumors, legends, something about primordial-spirit cultivators?"
"No. We've never even heard of such a thing," Qiu Lingshan and the others said, shaking their heads.
"..." Xue Jianming was momentarily at a loss for words. He could tell they were certainly not feigning ignorance, and so could only say, "Be that as it may, when disciples of the Tai Gu Alliance die in the mortal world, we are owed an explanation. This matter of the primordial-spirit cultivator must be investigated thoroughly. If you cannot get to the bottom of it, then we shall have no choice but to take matters into our own hands."
Qiu Lingshan's heart tightened at these words. The implication was plain enough: once the Tai Gu Alliance began conducting its own investigation, the situation would spiral beyond control. A single misstep could easily stir up an even greater calamity, and the cultivators of the mortal world would inevitably face a sudden storm of blood.
After a moment's thought, Qiu Lingshan said gravely, "The Mystery Bureau will investigate this matter of the primordial-spirit cultivator. Since the Tai Gu Alliance has a rule against disrupting the order of the mortal world, it would be best to keep to it, lest the situation slip beyond control."
"Very good. I believe in Miss Song's sincerity." Xue Jianming nodded, showing not the slightest intention of leaving. Instead he asked, "You said just now that you are the deputy director here? Then arrange it—let me meet your director. I have important matters to discuss with you all."
"Director Feng is not in. If there is anything, you may speak to me directly." Qiu Lingshan spoke without servility. She said this not out of any wish to put on airs, but because several years as deputy director had given her experience: whatever Xue Jianming might raise, it was easier to handle in her capacity as deputy director. Were it Feng Tianlong, the director, it would be another matter entirely—there would be no room for maneuver at all.
"That will do. Then let us go somewhere else." Xue Jianming glanced around. What he was about to say next was his own initiative; until it was accomplished, it could not be spread about carelessly. Otherwise, should word reach the higher echelons of the Tai Gu Alliance, that would be no good at all.
"Very well. Please follow me." Qiu Lingshan at once led Xue Jianming and Fei Yangnian to the conference room, at the same time gesturing for the others to disperse.