“Perhaps…” Master Xiao’s eyes hardened as he spoke quietly, “Just catch a few, close the case, and give an account to those above…”
Gu Changhuai, with a penetrating gaze, asked, “Is that the Court Leader’s suggestion, or is it your own, Master Xiao?”
Master Xiao’s expression stalled, with a forced smile he said:
“Supervisor Gu, I wouldn’t dare to jest like that…”
“Both of us are Supervisors; we simply carry out the orders from above, remember not to…”
Master Xiao’s smile slightly faded, his voice carrying a profound message, “Take matters into your own hands…”
Gu Changhuai lost his patience, his face immediately darkening without any pretense of politeness as he said:
“Do your own Supervisor duties, and don’t think about teaching me how to do my job.”
Master Xiao paused.
Gu Changhuai snorted disdainfully and walked away.
Mo Hua, careful in observation and minding his words, pretended to hear nothing and closely followed Gu Changhuai in departure.
Only Master Xiao remained, standing in place.
The smile on his face gradually faded, and he sneered softly:
“The people of the Gu Family are still so naive; sooner or later, they’ll perish clean…”
…
Sitting on the carriage bound for Bishan City, Mo Hua quietly asked:
“Uncle Gu, does that Master Xiao have a grudge against you?”
Gu Changhuai, lost in thought, did not reply.
Mo Hua inquired again, “He’s not a spy within the Taoist Court, is he?”
Caught off guard, Gu Changhuai exclaimed, “How did you figure that out?”
“Just a feeling…”
Gu Changhuai, with a touch of exasperation, “The Taoist Court doesn’t proceed on mere feelings…”
“Master Xiao…”
Mo Hua muttered, then pondered aloud, “To be appointed as a Supervisor, he must also be a noble family’s son, surnamed Xiao; does the Xiao family, like the Gu family, have close ties to the Taoist Court?”
Gu Changhuai appeared somewhat surprised, but he nodded and said:
“Yes, the Xiao family’s influence in the Taoist Court is greater than the Gu family’s; the current Court Leader of the Fifth grade Taoist Court in the Qianxue State Boundary is from the Xiao family…”
“Oh…”
Mo Hua nodded, then curiously continued:
“Then this Master Xiao…”
“Stop asking,” Gu Changhuai interrupted Mo Hua, “You shouldn’t pry into the affairs of the Xiao family; it’s best to stay away from them to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself…”