Chapter 557: Thickening Mists

"Investigating a case?"

Li Yan frowned, "With your connections in Chengdu Prefecture, wouldn't it be easier for you to uncover the truth than for outsiders like us?"

"That is incorrect."

Ming Shanzi shook his head. "Precisely because I have some reputation, it's more troublesome. If they could find the Shadow Chamber—a place so secretive—they must have already spotted me the moment I entered Chengdu Prefecture."

"Moreover, those people lurk in the shadows. If we make too much noise, we'll surely alarm them."

"That's true."

Li Yan nodded in agreement. "Then where should I begin?"

Ming Shanzi seemed to have prepared this in advance; he pulled out a thin booklet from his robe. "This contains all the intelligence I've gathered. Li Shaoxia, you'll understand once you read it."

"Also, I will remain stationed at the Wang Fu from now on. There's no need to worry about security here. You may investigate covertly."

"This force seems to have a formidable origin."

"Remember—proceed with caution."

"Thank you for the warning, Elder."

After discussing this matter, Li Yan left the front hall with the booklet, while Ming Shanzi went with Prince Xiao Jinghong to the back courtyard—clearly to speak privately.

Back at the Bamboo Grove Cottage, Li Yan first handed the chest to Wang Daoxuan. "Daozhang, the plan has changed. The Five-Head Divine Scripture has been acquired ahead of schedule."

He then recounted the entire situation.

Sha Lifei immediately spoke up. "Shall I go inquire and see what rumors are stirring in the Jianghu?"

"No."

Li Yan shook his head. "They're the Cheng family. Whatever rumors exist in the Jianghu, they'll know more than we do. This must be investigated in secret."

"The greater our fame, the stronger our enemies will be. San'er's injuries haven't healed yet. Daozhang, you must cultivate your new method. Old Sha, you need to stabilize your spirit soon. I've just built a pavilion—I need time to settle it. Perfect timing to investigate the case."

"With Ming Shanzi holding the Wang Fu, we have a temporary reprieve. Use this chance to rest and recover."

He added with a grin, "Long Yan is still on Mount Xilingxue. There are blessed lands there too. If Old Sha succeeds in stabilizing his spirit, we'll go up the mountain and build a pavilion."

Sha Lifei chuckled awkwardly. "Why keep bringing that up?"

After some light banter, Li Yan returned to his room and opened the booklet Ming Shanzi had given him, examining it carefully.

As soon as he flipped open the first page, Li Yan was startled. He shook his head. "Indeed, the old are wiser."

He turned to the other pieces of intelligence.

Gradually, his brows knitted tightly, a flash of killing intent passing through his eyes. "No wonder they wanted me to investigate—it's connected to them..."

The intelligence Ming Shanzi provided was extremely detailed.

All factions in Chengdu Prefecture and their underlying powers...

Information on several princes of the Shu Wang Fu...

On-site investigations of the gold and silver shops...

Clearly, the Cheng family's resources had been mobilized.

This single dossier alone was worth a thousand gold pieces.

In less than half an hour, Li Yan finished reading all the intelligence. He gathered his magical implements, slung a pack over his shoulder, and deliberately exited the Wang Fu through the main gate.

"Master Li is leaving?"

"Yes. Please inform the Prince."

"Shall I arrange a carriage for you?"

"No need, thank you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the steward, Li Yan strode out of the Wang Fu, glanced around, and headed southeast.

That was where the Chenghuangmiao stood.

The Chenghuangmiao of Chengdu Prefecture was managed by the Huangling Sect. Though relations were cordial, he had no plans to register there—for now, to avoid any risk.

The area where the Wang Fu stood was quiet and clean.

Once he left the alleyways, the clamor immediately surged toward him.

Li Yan wore a wide-brimmed hat and covered his face with black cloth, carrying his pack as he walked, glancing left and right.

The streets were crowded with people.

With the New Year approaching and heavy snow blocking the roads, villagers from nearby mountains had stayed home, preparing for the holiday and no longer traveling far.

But the people of Chengdu Prefecture were unaffected.

Some swept their homes; others went out to buy New Year goods.

The streets were thick with festive atmosphere; many shops hung red lanterns.

Behind open doorways, an array of New Year goods filled the displays.

As Li Yan moved with the crowd, he immediately noticed many Jianghu figures.

He had noticed this upon first entering Chengdu, and had found it odd then—but now he understood the reason.

Again, the hand of the Shu Wang Fu.

Over the years, the Shu Wang Fu had become the most renowned in the Jianghu.

The reason was simple: they had held several martial tournaments, pitting weapons, fists, and throwing weapons against each other.

Each one was considered a major event in the martial world.

Jianghu cultivators gathered not only for the Shu Wang Fu's generous rewards but also to gain fame and prestige.

Once they made a name for themselves, they could gain both glory and wealth.

Many champions were recruited by the Shu Wang Fu; the rest of the outstanding fighters were hired at high prices by the Salt Guild.

Thus, the Shu Wang Fu's power had grown rapidly in recent years.

While many high officials also cultivated ties with Jianghu figures, they did so secretly and discreetly.

To do so so openly drew the ire of court officials, and combined with the Shu Prince's recent actions, it had attracted the attention of the Imperial Censors.

No one knew why the Shu Prince was doing this.

If he intended to rebel, the commotion was far too great.

Many believed the Shu Prince had simply grown old and senile.

But Jianghu figures didn't care. If someone built a stage, plenty were eager to perform.

Especially this year.

The Shu Wang Fu had spread word that not only would there be a martial tournament, but also no restrictions—cultivators of martial arts and Daoist methods could now take the stage.

The rewards were astonishing.

The winner could enter the Shu Prince's treasure vault and choose any three items at will.

The Shu Prince was the Emperor's own brother, who had once fought alongside him to subdue the northern frontier and pacify the southern provinces, amassing countless treasures.

Thus, he had drawn many Xuanmen cultivators.

Li Yan appeared to be strolling casually, but he was secretly observing all anomalies around him.

Finally, he sensed a watching gaze. A faint smile curled his lips. He feigned leisurely walking, then turned into a nearby alley.

Chengdu's layout typically featured shops along the streets and residences within the alleys—quieter, more secluded.

Soon after entering the alley, a peddler passed by, carrying a pole with baskets, pretending to glance inside casually.

Seeing no one inside, the peddler grew anxious, quickly lifted his two baskets upward, then rolled into a lazy donkey's tumble, rising to flee.

His reaction was swift indeed.

But as soon as he took one step, his body stiffened, his vision darkened, and the sounds around him rapidly faded.

It was Li Yan who had acted.

The Soul-Stealing Thunder Cord had immediately suppressed his spirit. Li Yan seized the peddler by the neck, like lifting a chicken, and swiftly darted through the alley, returning to the Commandery Wang Fu.

At the Commandery Wang Fu, the door was already wide open.

Cao Yuanhuai stood outside with two fellow disciples, watching Li Yan drag the captive in. His expression was complex.

Li Yan paid him no mind, his voice low. "Caught him?"

Cao Yuanhuai held two fellow disciples outside, watching Li Yan bring in the captive, his gaze complex.

Cao Yuanhuai didn't waste words this time. He stepped forward himself, and with his disciples, took the peddler and thoroughly searched him.

He was a Xuanmen cultivator—many tricks couldn't be hidden.

They removed the poison tooth from his mouth, extracted a blade from his hairpin, and even pulled out two long needles embedded beneath the skin of his forearm.

"A death assassin!"

Cao Yuanhuai's face turned grim. Having spent years guarding others, he knew exactly what this meant.

Li Yan nodded, unsurprised. As he entered, he asked, "Who is it?"

Cao Yuanhuai's expression turned serious. He had spent years guarding others; he knew exactly what this was.

Li Yan nodded, unsurprised, stepping inside as he asked, "Who is it?"

Hearing Cao Yuanhuai's answer, Li Yan was startled.

Ming Shanzi's dossier had opened by suspecting a traitor within the Wang Fu, instructing him to stage a ruse to lure the traitor out.

Since Li Yan left the Wang Fu, the entire compound had been under surveillance.

This time, Cao Yuanhuai and the Du Men disciples had been kept in the dark—indicating Xiao Jinghong still distrusted them, leaving them disheartened.

But the traitor's identity shocked Li Yan.

"Lan Zhu" was the servant girl who had served them tea upon their arrival—deeply trusted by Xiao Jinghong, and effectively the head of the maidservants.

But the traitor's identity shocked Li Yan.

"Lan Zhu" was the maid who had served them tea upon entering the mansion, deeply trusted by Xiao Jinghong, and effectively the head of the maids.

Not a single error in content, one by one!

Her demeanor was gentle, and she knew no martial arts or spells.

How could she become an inside traitor?

Li Yan frowned in thought and strode toward the front hall.

Outside the front hall, several Du Men disciples guarded the area; Ming Shanzi sipped tea calmly, while Xiao Jinghong's face was dark with anger.

Sha Lifei and others stood nearby, watching the spectacle.

The woman named "Lan Zhu" knelt on the ground.

"Young Master Li, you've worked hard."

Seeing Li Yan enter, Ming Shanzi smiled and nodded.

"Your Excellency's brilliant plan."

Li Yan paid a compliment, then turned to the kneeling maid Lan Zhu and asked casually, "Have you found out which family she belongs to?"

Ming Shanzi shook his head. "She won't speak."

Above, Prince Xiao Jinghong looked down and said coldly, "Lan Zhu, you've served me for years—there must be a reason. Speak now. Though you can no longer remain in the Wang Fu, I will spare your life."

At these words, Li Yan was momentarily startled.

Though martial artists claim their word is as good as gold, few truly keep it—most are lying, and even if they promise mercy, they still kill.

But Xiao Jinghong was different.

The people of Shenzhou had a trait.

The higher one's rank, the more they scrutinized their own character.

This led many to be corrupt in private yet appear virtuous in public, never speaking carelessly.

With so many watching, under everyone's eyes, if he broke his word afterward—even if it was a tactic—it would be remembered by his subordinates.

Either Xiao Jinghong was unworthy of trust.

Or he was a man who cherished old ties.

Below, the maid Lan Zhu trembled, then bowed deeply, striking her forehead hard against the ground several times, her voice shaking: "Your Highness's mercy—I shall repay you in my next life."

At this, Xiao Jinghong's face grew even darker.

Cao Yuanhuai gave a signal and had the peddler dragged forward, kicking him to the ground, then said coldly, "If you won't speak, others will."

With that, he drew his long sword and pressed the tip against the peddler's throat.

But the peddler showed no fear—instead, he grinned maniacally, suddenly thrusting his neck forward to kill himself.

Cao Yuanhuai gasped and yanked his sword back.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly; otherwise, the peddler would be dead.

Li Yan pondered for a moment, then turned to Lu San and said, "San'er, let Chu Qi try."

Lu San nodded and whistled softly.

Shhh!

The little white fox Chu Qi, who had been following him, darted out at once, circled twice, then arrived beside the maid.

Its bright fox eyes locked onto her.

Lan Zhu looked up and found those fox eyes strangely captivating; moreover, its large tail swayed rhythmically behind it.

In an instant, Lan Zhu felt her mind grow foggy, her eyes slowly losing focus.

Seeing this, Li Yan silently praised.

This little white fox Chu Qi was far from simple—it carried ancient bloodlines, entrusted to them by the leader of the mountain demons beyond Shangjin City.

As it grew older, it had become increasingly useful.

For instance, when Lu San's spiritual power was broken, Chu Qi became his other eye, helping Sha Lifei and others break through the encirclement.

But its greatest strength was its mind-altering technique.

Foxes, it seemed, were born with a talent for this art.

Though it couldn't yet affect spellcasters, bewitching ordinary people into speaking the truth was effortless.

Seeing the woman was now entranced, Li Yan asked:

"What is your name?"

"Lan Zhu."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-three…"

"Where do you reside?"

"The Fifth County Prince's Mansion…"

Hearing Li Yan's questions, Ming Shanzi and Xiao Jinghong were puzzled—why ask things they already knew?

They didn't know that Li Yan was drawing on past-life experience: starting with trivial details to lower the target's guard.

If he asked directly, and the target resisted with strong willpower, they might snap out of it and break the spell.

Never underestimate the resolve of an ordinary person.

After a long string of meaningless questions, Li Yan suddenly asked: "What is your other identity?"

Lan Zhu hesitated. Though her face was dazed, her eyes struggled—but she could not resist the mind-altering technique, and whispered: "Bai Long Jiao, incense-bearer maiden."

Bai Long Jiao?!

Li Yan pondered, then asked: "When did you join Bai Long Jiao? Who ordered you?"

Perhaps because her mental defenses had broken, Lan Zhu answered without resistance, her eyes vacant: "Ten years ago."

"My parents lived in Xibei Village. With the Wang Fu's permission, we returned home to visit relatives. At that time, a flood struck the village. A Daoist appeared, urging us to worship the River God Lord—the flood immediately receded. That's when I joined the sect…"

"This time, I was ordered to act as an inside agent…"

"Who gave the order?"

"I don't know. I received the command yesterday."

"Wasn't the gold and silver shop incident carried out by Bai Long Jiao?"

"It has nothing to do with us…"

After this interrogation, everyone exchanged glances.

"Take her away!"

Xiao Jinghong ordered her removed, then asked in confusion: "I've heard of Bai Long Jiao. We've never clashed with them—why target me?"

"Someone is directing them."

Li Yan said grimly: "It seems more than one faction has designs on Your Highness. Proceed with caution."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Ming Shanzi.

Ming Shanzi's earlier secret letter had mentioned the possibility of Bai Long Jiao's involvement—since Li Yan had previously clashed with them, he had entrusted the matter to him.

Li Yan, who was seeking the reincarnation of the River God Lord, naturally agreed.

Now it seemed the murders at the gold and silver shop were the work of someone else.

Ming Shanzi stroked his beard and thought for a moment. "Then let Young Master Li continue the investigation. I shall uncover the mastermind behind Bai Long Jiao."

"Agreed."

Li Yan wasted no time. After brief instructions to the group, he strode out of the Wang Fu once more.

This time, he was truly investigating the case.

He immediately activated the "Dragon-Snake Token," concealing his entire aura, pasted on a beard, changed into a black cloak, and disguised himself as an ordinary martial artist, blending into the crowd and vanishing.

Leaving from the southern city, Li Yan arrived in the eastern district.

It was even livelier here—a gathering place for all manner of rogues and outcasts.

Ming Shanzi had mentioned a clue… right here…

(End of Chapter)