The Sun Moon Sect was also a demonic sect, considered a competitor to the Heavenly Void Sect. Due to this competitive relationship, minor frictions often occurred between the disciples of the two sects.

Next was the Myriad Sword Pavilion, a righteous immortal dao sect. Because their territories bordered each other, and due to the principle of immortals and demons being irreconcilable, the opposition and friction between the Heavenly Void Sect and the Myriad Sword Pavilion were even more severe.

The two sects often clashed fiercely over certain opportunities or mineral veins. Even minor disputes between disciples could escalate into larger conflicts.

Specifically, Han Lie believed the Sun Moon Sect was more likely.

The reason was simple: the Yin Yang Demonic Art was, after all, a heretical cultivation technique. Those self-proclaimed orthodox immortal dao sects, no matter how powerful the Yin Yang Demonic Art might be, would look down upon it with disdain.

The Sun Moon Sect, being another demonic sect, had a much higher likelihood of wanting to obtain the Yin Yang Demonic Art.

Of course, this was just Han Lie’s initial speculation. Although the Sun Moon Sect was the most probable, Saintess Bai Ling might not necessarily have been sent by them. It could also be another demonic sect.

“Regardless, the suspicion that the Saintess is a spy is basically confirmed. Now all that’s missing is evidence…”

Han Lie leisurely sipped his hot tea, murmuring to himself.

Obtaining evidence that Saintess Bai Ling was a spy would undoubtedly be difficult. Given her status as Saintess, without concrete proof, it was impossible to arrest and interrogate her.

Unless she became too impatient or exposed herself, Han Lie couldn’t think of how to get evidence of her being a spy.

“Not necessarily!”

The next moment, inspiration struck Han Lie.

Hadn’t he accidentally caught Bai Ling communicating with someone outside last time? If he could encounter that again, it would be easy!

“Before that, I need to continue improving my cultivation. Otherwise, even if I do encounter it, unless something unexpected happens… I might be the one facing an accident.”

Moreover, during this period, he had to guard against Bai Ling to prevent her from striking first.

Currently, Bai Ling already knew Ye Qingxuan was not at the Violet Heaven Palace. The small wooden hut at the entrance was no longer safe. So before Ye Qingxuan returned, perhaps he should temporarily relocate.

As for Ye Qingxuan’s instruction to guard the Violet Heaven Palace, Han Lie didn’t think it was a big issue anymore. Ye Qingxuan’s original intention in giving that order was probably also to catch the spy.

Now that a suspect had been identified, constant vigilance over the Violet Heaven Palace was no longer necessary.

Thinking this, Han Lie didn’t delay any further. In just one day, he thoroughly cleaned the entire Violet Heaven Palace inside and out.

Afterward, Han Lie went out to find Zhuo Hongyi.

He obviously couldn’t go to Grand Elder Chi Lian. If Bai Ling found out he went to see Grand Elder Chi Lian, it might alert her and make her wary.

Therefore, within the vast Heavenly Void Sect, the only person Han Lie could somewhat trust and rely on at the moment was probably Zhuo Hongyi, with whom he had already had two… in-depth and friendly exchanges.

Law Enforcement Hall, Vermilion Bird Squad office.

“Junior Sister, last time I acted impulsively in a moment of confusion. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

In the reception room, Zhui Ming took out an ornate box from his storage ring and offered it to Zhuo Hongyi, apologizing sincerely. “These are Scarlet Flame Flowers I picked yesterday as an apology for my outburst that day. Please accept them, Junior Sister.”

“There’s no need for an apology gift, Senior Brother.” Zhuo Hongyi pushed the box back from across the table. “If it weren’t for unavoidable circumstances, I wouldn’t want things to become so unpleasant either. After all, we see each other often. Please take these Scarlet Flame Flowers back.”

Zhui Ming didn’t retrieve the box but cautiously probed, “So… does that mean you forgive me, Junior Sister?”

Zhuo Hongyi responded noncommittally, “Forgive? I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Let’s just say this incident successfully changed my original impression of you.”

Zhui Ming sighed. “Junior Sister, you can’t completely dismiss me based on just one incident, can you? No one is a sage; everyone has moments of impulsiveness and irrationality.”

“We’ve been senior and junior brother and sister for so many years. Don’t you know what kind of person I am?”

It was precisely because of this that Zhuo Hongyi found the side Zhui Ming displayed a couple of days ago so frightening.

But after thinking about it, she decided not to say that. Based on her understanding of this Senior Brother Zhui Ming of hers, if she didn’t relent today, he wouldn’t give up easily.

After a moment’s thought, Zhuo Hongyi opted for a perfunctory reply. “Fine then. But I hope there won’t be a next time; otherwise, we won’t even be able to remain friends.”

“Rest assured, Junior Sister! I give you my word of honor; there will absolutely not be a next time!”

Hearing Zhuo Hongyi relent, Zhui Ming’s expression visibly brightened with happiness.

He pushed the box containing the Scarlet Flame Flowers forward again. “Junior Sister, please accept these anyway; consider them a small token.”

“I really don’t need them; please take them back,” Zhuo Hongyi refused. She understood perfectly well the principle of being indebted when accepting gifts or favors.

After several rounds of polite refusal between them until Zhuo Hongyi issued an ultimatum, Zhui Ming reluctantly took back the Scarlet Flame Flowers.

“Senior Brother, I need to start working now.”

Once the back-and-forth was over, Zhuo Hongyi immediately gave him his dismissal.

“Then I won’t disturb you further,” said Zhui Ming, who had finally managed to appease Zhuo Hongyi and dared not push his luck too much.

“Senior Sister Zhuo, there’s a Servant Disciple outside clamoring insistently to see you. No matter what I say, he refuses to leave; what should we do?”

Just as she stepped out of the reception room, a Law Enforcement disciple from the Vermilion Bird Squad came forward to report.

“A Servant Disciple?”

Zhuo Hongyi raised an eyebrow slightly—could it be Han Lie?

Zhui Ming beside her also frowned—could it be that Servant Disciple whom Zhuo Hongyi was looking at in the sect trading market two days ago?

“He’s just a Servant Disciple; why waste words? Just chase him away,” Zhui Ming immediately said.

However, the reporting Law Enforcement disciple didn’t dare act rashly yet. Although Zhui Ming was also a squad captain in the Law Enforcement Hall, his immediate superior was clearly still Zhuo Hongyi.

Zhuo Hongyi waved her hand dismissively and promptly strode out.

“Junior Sister!”

Hesitating for a moment, an uneasy Zhui Ming quickly followed.

As Zhuo Hongyi had anticipated, in front of the office entrance, an old Servant Disciple was pacing back and forth. Who else could it be but Han Lie?

“So it is this old scoundrel! He dares come looking for my Junior Sister on his own initiative?”

Enraged, Zhui Ming moved forward intending to chase Han Lie away.

“Senior Brother! This person is here to see me; what are you doing?”

The moment Zhui Ming took a step, Zhuo Hongyi reached out and stopped him.