Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

Although the Imperial Palace's defenses during the day aren't as strict as at night, it is still the residence of the Emperor, guarded heavily.

Fortunately, the two were both highly cultivated individuals, and after some twists and turns, they cleverly avoided the layers of guards and snuck in undetected.

The Imperial Palace of Nanjin Country, though not as luxurious and magnificent as the palaces across in Dazhou, and not as grand, was still a complex of elegant buildings, quite lavish.

Finding the deeply hidden Archive Hall inside was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

According to the original plan, Jiang Shouzhong captured a solitary eunuch, preparing to use techniques of torture for interrogation.

However, Jiang Yi merely glanced at the eunuch, who seemed as though his soul had been extracted, and he revealed everything he knew in detail like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube.

Jiang Shouzhong was shocked inwardly.

Heavenly Demon Technique, terrifying indeed.

On the way to find the Archive Hall, Jiang Shouzhong couldn't suppress his curiosity and couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Does your Heavenly Demon Soul Capturing Technique work on me?"

The man was genuinely afraid that one day this woman might snatch his soul away.

Jiang Yi slightly raised her eyebrows, her eyes twinkling: "What do you think?"

Seeing the helpless look on Jiang Shouzhong's face, the woman finally spoke truthfully:

"In terms of cultivation, if you're more advanced than me or equal to me, it's naturally very hard to be affected. If your cultivation isn't higher, but as long as you've stayed with me in the same room, you're also unaffected."

Jiang Shouzhong understood.

No matter what the circumstances, he was the only one in this world who was unaffected.

Soon, they successfully arrived in front of the Archive Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Outside the Archive Hall, two guards were stationed.

Unlike the patrolling guards, from the imposing aura these two emitted, their cultivation was evidently much higher.

Estimating, they should be around the Heaven Desolation Boundary.

Just when Jiang Shouzhong was about to gather his energy to act, Jiang Yi gently raised her hand.

Jiang Yi appeared ghost-like in front of the two, merely looking at them: "You can rest now."

The eyes of the two guards instantly turned dreamy and unfocused, their legs went weak, and they sat down and fell soundly asleep.

Jiang Shouzhong gave the woman a thumbs up.

The two quietly pushed open the door to the Archive Hall, and a musty scent hit them.

Inside the Archive Hall, bookshelves stood like a forest, and various documents and classics piled up like mountains.

Jiang Shouzhong, following the general categorization he knew beforehand, meticulously searched one by one. Finally, in an inconspicuous corner, he found records related to Demon Sea Mountain.

He unhesitatingly gathered all this information in one go, planning to take it back for careful study.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yi, on the other side, found some rare materials about the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate and collected them.

Just as the two were about to withdraw from the Imperial Palace's Archive Hall, a powerful voice suddenly echoed in the tranquil space:

"Amitabha~ Please stay, two benefactors."

Jiang Shouzhong and Jiang Yi were startled, their forms swiftly turning, and they suddenly looked back.

To their surprise, a monk had appeared in the Archive Hall at some unknown time.

The monk was remarkably tall and robust, his monk's robe half-open, revealing a bronzed, muscular chest, each muscle like a solid rock.

Standing there, he was like a towering small mountain, exuding an imposing aura.

Around the monk's neck hung an unusual necklace. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be made of small, intricate skull beads strung together.

Jiang Shouzhong secretly circulated his energy, his eyes filled with vigilance.

With his and Jiang Yi's cultivation, never mind a human figure, even the slightest movement of the breeze could be detected keenly, yet they were completely unaware of this monk's arrival.

This person's cultivation must be unfathomably profound.

Jiang Shouzhong suppressed his surprise, took the initiative to break the silence, and said in a deep voice: "Are you here to steal as well?"

The monk slightly shook his head, his face calm as still water, he joined his hands and slowly said: "This humble monk is the guardian of this Archive Hall, always cultivating here in seclusion."

Jiang Shouzhong was taken aback, couldn't help but mutter.

Why is there a sweeping monk here?

Jiang Yi furrowed her brows tightly, trying hard to search through the intelligence she once obtained from the Silver Moon Tower regarding the Imperial Palace of Nanjin Country, attempting to find information on this person.

Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed her mind, and she said softly:

"It is rumored that the previous Emperor of Nanjin Country was of humble origin, his mother merely a minor palace maid, who endured disdain and isolation in the deep palace since childhood.

In his childhood, to seek survival, he once took refuge in a temple, where he was repeatedly bullied. However, fate is unpredictable, and by a twist of chance, he ascended the throne.

Because of his hatred for monks, this emperor almost demolished all the temples in Nanjin Country, massacred a large number of monks, and issued strict orders for all monks to return to secular life by a deadline."

At this point, Jiang Yi paused slightly, her beautiful eyes staring at the monk in front of her:

"But there was one exception, a monk whom the emperor treated exceptionally well, even making him the National Guardian Master, and arranged for him to be inside the Imperial Palace with a high status, allowing him to freely enter and exit the palace, enjoying considerable honor.

It is said that he was a close friend of the former emperor during childhood, protecting him from others' bullying and secretly bringing him food.

This monk was already highly talented, and within the Imperial Palace, he could access superior martial arts texts, diligently training day and night. In the Jianghu, no one could gauge his depth, only that his cultivation was unfathomable, perhaps only slightly inferior to the first expert of Nanjin Country, Tu Danalie."

Jiang Yi looked at him, speaking word by word:

"So, you are the former National Guardian Master of Nanjin Country, the Zen Rebel Monk, correct?"

The Zen Rebel Monk put his palms together, a serene smile on his dignified face: "You are very smart, Jiang benefactor."

Jiang Shouzhong listened beside them, feeling utterly baffled.

The name "Zen Rebel Monk" was entirely unfamiliar to him, as he had never heard of such a person before.

But at this moment, hearing Jiang Yi mention that this person's cultivation was only under Tu Danalie, Jiang Shouzhong inwardly felt suspicious.

It wasn't that Jiang Yi was exaggerating this person's skills, quite the opposite, Jiang Shouzhong's intuition told him that this Zen Rebel Monk's cultivation might even surpass Tu Danalie.

Indeed, the Imperial Palace was full of hidden talents.

It was just peculiar to him why, when they were stealing information earlier, this person did not intervene, but chose to appear now. Could it be to catch them red-handed?

Jiang Shouzhong was conjecturing silently when the Zen Rebel Monk provided his answer.

He looked at Jiang Shouzhong, smiled, and said: "Jiang benefactor, I have heard of you, so I would like to ask for your help with a task."

"What task?" Jiang Shouzhong asked.

The Zen Rebel Monk's gaze was deep: "I would like you to investigate the cause of the late emperor's death."

The late emperor's cause of death?

Jiang Shouzhong was quite surprised to hear this.

After the sudden assassination of the Dazhou Emperor, the old emperor of Nanjin Country also mysteriously died, which was quite dramatic.

As for the reason, many believed it was due to illness.

After all, the Nanjin Country's emperor had been seriously ill before.

After the Nanjin Country emperor's death, the country, like Dazhou, was plunged into turmoil, with princes fighting internally.

Especially since the emperor did not appoint a Crown Prince before his death.

This led to distrust of whoever succeeded to the throne.

Currently, presiding over the Capital City is the Eldest Prince of Nanjin Country.

Although the Eldest Prince has the support of many veterans in the Nanjin Country court, he lacks capability and commands only a few troops.

Facing the chaos outside the Capital City, he is at a loss.

He can only guard the city like a turtle retracting into its shell, eagerly hoping that the Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince outside the city will fight each other to exhaustion, allowing him to benefit from their downfall.

Jiang Shouzhong asked: "Do you think the late emperor was murdered?"

The Zen Rebel Monk shook his head: "I genuinely don't know, which is why I'm asking for your help, Jiang benefactor, to uncover the truth."

Jiang Shouzhong pressed on: "Why don't you investigate it yourself?"

The Zen Rebel Monk was frank, speaking candidly: "I don't have the ability to."

Jiang Shouzhong glanced at Jiang Yi, and said lightly:

"I am indeed curious about the death of the old emperor of Nanjin Country, but I am not interested. If I don't agree with you, will it be difficult for us to leave here?"

However, the Zen Rebel Monk smiled: "I don't force others. If Jiang benefactor is unwilling, I certainly won't insist, nor will I stop you from leaving.

However, I believe that Jiang benefactor will help me because I can help you too."

"Oh? What can you help me with?"

Jiang Shouzhong raised an eyebrow, looking at him curiously.

"A lot."

The Zen Rebel Monk slightly looked up, "For example, helping you find the remains of the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate. Isn't that why the two of you came?"

And also, helping you find your wife... or perhaps your confidante.

Whatever happened at the Water Moon Manor, I do not know, but I happen to know the whereabouts of one of the people involved."