Chapter 447: Chapter 267: ’The Major Case’ (2)

Fang Yue turned to face the newcomer, a faint smile on his lips. "Oh? If it isn’t Vice Director Li. My apologies."

The newcomer was none other than one of the Observatory’s Vice Directors, Li Hao.

His position in the Observatory was not low, and his strength was also quite impressive.

He appeared to be greeting Fang Yue with warmth, but an almost imperceptible coldness flashed in his eyes.

Li Hao said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Director Fang, so young and promising. It’s truly enviable. However, the waters of this Observatory run deep. You’d best be careful."

Hearing this, Fang Yue smiled faintly. "Thank you for the reminder, Vice Director Li. However, I feel that no matter how deep these waters are, they’re not deep enough to drown me."

"Oh, is that so? I’ve heard that Liu Yun has coveted the position of Director for a long time. He might just make things difficult for you!" Li Hao said with a faint smile.

"I am aware."

Fang Yue gave a noncommittal nod, as if he paid Li Hao’s words no mind. "Vice Director Li, would you be interested in taking a walk? I was just thinking of getting to know the Observatory and its people."

A flicker of surprise showed in Li Hao’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Fang Yue to so calmly invite him for a walk.

This left him feeling that Fang Yue was unfathomable. ’What in the world is he up to?’

However, he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "An invitation from Director Fang? Of course, I’d be delighted to accept."

The two walked side by side, strolling slowly down a long corridor in the Observatory.

Fang Yue seemed very interested in his surroundings, occasionally asking Li Hao questions about the Observatory.

Li Hao, in turn, answered each question patiently, all the while secretly observing Fang Yue’s reactions.

"Director Fang, you’ve just arrived, so you probably don’t quite understand the distribution of power in the Observatory."

Li Hao said suddenly, "Here in the Observatory, besides us Vice Directors, there are also some powerful elders and Inspectors. They each run their own affairs, forming different factions."

Hearing this, Fang Yue raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? So there are such complex power struggles within the Observatory?"

"But of course," Li Hao nodded. "After all, the Observatory controls many of a Prefecture Mansion’s powers. Who wouldn’t want a bigger piece of the pie?"

Fang Yue smiled faintly. "Then the waters of this Observatory are indeed deep."

"So, you’d best be careful, Director Fang."

Li Hao said meaningfully, "Don’t accidentally get swept up in this struggle."

Fang Yue smiled faintly. Of course, he understood the meaning behind Li Hao’s words.

This was not just a reminder, but more of a test, to see if he, Fang Yue, had the ability—or perhaps the desire—to fish in the murky waters of the Observatory.

"Thank you for your concern, Vice Director Li."

Fang Yue said in a relaxed tone, "I’ve always been one for peace and quiet. However, if someone insists on dragging me into this, I won’t take it lying down."

A strange glint flashed in Li Hao’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Fang Yue to respond so directly.

This new Director, it seemed, was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

"Haha, Director Fang, you’re quite the joker."

Li Hao laughed to cover his own awkwardness. "Here in the Observatory, who doesn’t know of your strength and background? Who would dare provoke you?"

Fang Yue just smiled faintly and didn’t respond.

He knew that Li Hao’s words were just pleasantries.

In this Observatory, strength and background were certainly important, but wisdom and cunning were even more so.

Otherwise, even if you had heaven-defying abilities, you could still capsize in a gutter.

The two continued to walk side by side, but the atmosphere had clearly become somewhat heavy.

Li Hao no longer seemed as effusive as before, while Fang Yue maintained a faint sense of detachment.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the corridor.

An Inspector in an Observatory uniform ran over hurriedly. Seeing Fang Yue and Li Hao, he quickly saluted and said, "Greetings, Director Fang, Vice Director Li."

Fang Yue nodded slightly, signaling that he needn’t stand on ceremony.

The Inspector took a deep breath, composed himself, and then said, "Director Fang, something’s happened! Something terrible! Vice Director Liu has been killed!"

"Oh? Vice Director Liu was killed? What happened?" Fang Yue asked, feigning surprise.

The Inspector swallowed and continued, "We’re not clear on the specifics. Someone just discovered that Vice Director Liu’s courtyard was in complete disarray. He himself is dead, his Qi extinguished. And all the guards in his residence were killed, too!"

"This is a major incident indeed!"

Fang Yue sighed. "This must be the work of those rebels who infiltrated our Observatory before. Dispatch all available personnel immediately. Coordinate with the three shifts of government constables from the Government Office to conduct a massive, city-wide search! This matter must be investigated to the fullest. We must get justice for Vice Director Liu and his guards."

Li Hao looked deeply at Fang Yue, trying to read something from his expression.

But besides shock, there was nothing else unusual about Fang Yue’s expression at that moment.

Hearing this, Li Hao also put on a shocked expression and chimed in, "Director Fang is right. This matter must be investigated to the fullest. I’ll go arrange for our men now."

With that, Li Hao turned and hurried away.

Fang Yue watched his back as he left, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He knew Li Hao must be speculating whether he was involved in this.

However, he wasn’t worried, because he had already made thorough preparations.

Fang Yue turned to the Inspector who had delivered the news and said, "Immediately gather a group of reliable Inspectors and follow me to Vice Director Liu’s courtyard to examine the scene."

"Yes, sir!" the Inspector responded, then turned and hurried away.

Fang Yue, for his part, took a few of his trusted subordinates and headed straight for Liu Yun’s courtyard.

When they arrived at the scene, the entire courtyard was a complete mess, with signs of a struggle everywhere.

Liu Yun’s corpse lay on the ground, his eyes wide open, as if he could not rest in peace.

Fang Yue carefully observed the scene, then said in a heavy voice, "It seems this was a fierce battle. Although Vice Director Liu’s strength was not weak, in the end, he was no match for his opponent."

He paused, then continued, "However, judging from these traces, the opponent’s strength wasn’t that great either. I suspect this may have been a premeditated assassination."

"Lord Director is wise!" one of his subordinates complimented. "But what should we do next?"

A cold light flashed in Fang Yue’s eyes as he said, "We must uncover the truth as quickly as possible and avenge Vice Director Liu. At the same time, we must also strengthen the Observatory’s security to prevent similar incidents from happening again."

He turned his head to the Inspector who had brought the news and said, "Go and immediately inform the other Vice Directors and elders. Tell them to come to my courtyard to discuss this matter. Also, spread the news of Vice Director Liu’s murder. I want everyone in the city to know that our Observatory will absolutely not let this matter rest."

"Yes, sir!" the Inspector acknowledged, turning and hurrying away.

~~~~~~~

For the next few days, the atmosphere within the Observatory was exceptionally tense, and everyone felt their own safety was at risk.

The gruesome state of Liu Yun’s death cast a shadow over the entire Observatory.

In Fang Yue’s courtyard, several Vice Directors and elders were gathered together, discussing how to handle the current situation.

Their expressions were all exceptionally solemn. They had clearly realized the gravity of the situation.

"Everyone, Vice Director Liu’s death is a huge blow to us. We must uncover the truth as quickly as possible and avenge him," Fang Yue said in a heavy voice from the main seat.

"Director Fang is right. We must act quickly. Otherwise, if word of this gets out, what will become of our Observatory’s reputation?" an elder chimed in.

"But uncovering the truth is easier said than done. Vice Director Liu’s strength was not weak. Anyone capable of assassinating him is certainly no ordinary person."

another Vice Director said with a frown.

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