Chapter 682: Pursuit of Murderers at the Wang Fu

The sun had already risen, and the spring breeze carried a hint of warmth.

Yet, Luo Faqing felt a chill throughout his entire body.

He turned his head to glance back, watching the palace gates slowly close behind him, and could not help but recall when he had first arrived in the capital.

At that time, because he was on good terms with Li Yan, he learned of Zhao Changsheng's affairs. After reporting it, it drew great attention; the Mystic Xuan Xuan Jisi sent down an order, the Emperor summoned him personally, and he was entrusted with a heavy responsibility, specifically tasked with pulling together an elite force to investigate Zhao Changsheng.

Back then, he could also be considered high-spirited and vigorous.

Chang'an was, after all, not the capital, and his standing at the Pure Yang Palace could not compare to those direct disciples.

If he could capture Zhao Changsheng, he could safeguard the nation, and it would not be in vain for his many years of bitter cultivation.

Who could have imagined that he had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg.

The further he investigated, the more shocking the things exposed became.

Now, even under the very noses of the capital, it had become a demon's nest, leaving him with a feeling of being overwhelmed.

Putting away the stray thoughts in his heart, Luo Faqing quickened his pace.

After passing the Meridian Gate, Luo Faqing was led by palace guards to outside the Fengtian Gate.

The square at this gate was vast, with the "Tiren Pavilion" set to the east and the "Hongyi Pavilion" to the west. Each pavilion's flying eaves hung twelve bronze sword-bells, totaling the number of the twenty-four solar terms. Whenever the bell in the Imperial Observatory rang, the sword-bells of the corresponding solar term would vibrate, clearing away the baleful energy in the palace.

The imperial power of the Great Xuan Dynasty surpassed divine power, and the palace's layout far exceeded that of the major Mystic Sects.

By this time, the morning court session had long ended, and in the massive square, Luo Faqing stood alone.

After waiting for a long time, a eunuch holding a horsetail whisk walked over quickly and loudly relayed the imperial decree:

"Daoist Luo, His Majesty summons you to the Jinshen Hall."

"Thank you, Eunuch."

Luo Faqing lowered his head in response, then followed the eunuch, passing by the Huagai Hall.

Finally, they arrived at the Jinshen Hall.

The layout of the imperial palace strictly conformed to the standards of ritual and system: the outer court in front and the inner quarters behind, ancestral temples on the left and altars of soil and grain on the right, with symmetry along the central axis.

The outer court was the administrative area. The Fengtian Gate they had just passed was where the Emperor "held court at the gate." The Golden Water River in front of the gate was bow-shaped, symbolizing "Imperial Arrows Suppressing Evil," and the five white marble bridges represented "Benevolence, Righteousness, Ritual, Wisdom, and Trust."

Behind it, on the central axis, were the three great halls.

The Fengtian Hall meant "receiving the mandate of Heaven," the area where the Emperor ascended the throne and held grand court assemblies.

The central Huagai Hall represented the protection of the Jade Emperor's canopy.

The Jinshen Hall before them represented the Emperor cultivating his character and establishing virtue; it was the place for palace examinations and banquets for vassal kings.

One could see the chi-dragon ornaments on the hall roof biting swords; this was the "True Martial Demon-Slaying Sword" artifact presented by Mount Wudang. With this sword as the core of the formation, combined with the incense and fire of the nation, let alone ordinary cultivators, even an Earth Immortal would be suppressed if they came here.

Just as Luo Faqing was about to step onto the stairs, he saw an old Daoist with a white beard walk out of the palace gate.

The white-bearded old Daoist was dressed in magnificent robes, possessed the air of an immortal, and wore tortoiseshell glasses on the bridge of his nose; he was none other than Bai Chenshan, the Supervisor of the Imperial Observatory.

"Greetings, Senior."

Seeing this, Luo Faqing hurriedly cupped his hands in salute.

Bai Chenshan was one of the top Feng Shui masters in the Shenzhou, and his status was not inferior to the leaders of the major sects.

"Oh, it's Junior Nephew Luo."

Bai Chenshan's expression was clearly somewhat weary, and he shook his head, saying: "I have just returned from Yuzhou to report to His Majesty on the revision of the calendar."

As he spoke, he lowered his voice: "His Majesty seems to be in a bad mood; you should be careful."

"Thank you, Senior."

Luo Faqing hurriedly cupped his hands to thank him.

After Bai Chenshan left, he lifted his feet and entered the great hall.

He saw the vermilion pillars inside the hall towering high, the beams painted with golden dragons and imperial patterns, the floor paved with "gold bricks," and deep within the hall stood a coiled dragon throne carved from golden nanmu, with a sandalwood screen behind it, and copper crane incense burners and enamel crane candle holders set on both sides.

Behind the dragon throne, the "Illustrated Mirror of Emperors," which recounted the stories of wise rulers through the ages, had originally hung there.

But now, it had been replaced by a massive "Map of the Myriad Nations."

An old man in yellow robes was standing with his back to him, admiring the map.

His figure was tall, but beneath his imperial crown, his hair was already completely white.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Luo Faqing dared not be negligent and respectfully cupped his hands and bowed.

The current Emperor of the Great Xuan was named Xiao Qixuan. Since childhood, he had been wise and martial. After reaching adulthood, he eradicated the power of the imperial in-laws and survived internal imperial strife, ascending the throne through great hardship. Afterward, he conquered the south and fought in the north, rectifying the court.

This caused the Great Xuan, which had been somewhat in decline, to once again show signs of prosperity.

It could be said that he was a truly wise ruler.

Of course, his temper was also not very good; there was no telling how many court officials had died at his hands.

"Official Luo, you were in such a hurry to enter the palace, what have you found out?"

The Emperor still did not turn around, merely holding a magnifying glass to examine the sea map.

Luo Faqing knew this Emperor's temperament and dared not be negligent, hurriedly recounting the matter.

The Emperor's body paused, and he slowly turned around.

His face was gaunt as if carved by a knife or axe, his cheekbones high like two hanging blades, his brow bone raised like a crouching dragon, the tails of his eyebrows slanting into his temples, and his pupils were pitch-black like ink dots; looking at him was like facing a deep abyss, making one dare not look directly.

Luo Faqing glanced at him and hurriedly lowered his head.

This Emperor Xiao Qixuan had a rigid and domineering nature. Although not a cultivator, he had been a martial arts expert in his youth and had experienced the bloody storms of the battlefield. Having held the reins of the nation for many years, his aura was even more extraordinary.

Only his complexion was somewhat pale, the look of someone who had been ill for a long time and had not yet recovered.

"The Flat Peach Banquet..."

Xiao Qixuan slowly put down the magnifying glass and said coldly: "There have been many emperors throughout history who sought immortality, and not one failed to end up with a notorious reputation. The poor seek wealth, and once they have wealth, they want immortality, allowing those crooked sorcerers to find an opening."

"I wouldn't even dare to think of such a thing, yet they are better off; they have started eating living people. How is that any different from demons?"

"Investigate this matter clearly. In my reign, I cannot afford to lose face like this..."

His voice was neither fast nor slow, but killing intent surged.

Hearing this, Luo Faqing immediately felt relieved.

This Emperor, apart from having a bad temper, cared most about his reputation.

Because he was afraid of being accused of not tolerating meritorious officials and his own brothers, he had been lenient toward the Prince of Ying and the Prince of Shu.

Because of opening the seas, he discovered the vastness of the world and developed new ambitions.

Clearly, this matter had already stirred his killing intent.

After all, the "Flat Peach" affair was shocking; it could not escape the official histories, and there was no telling how the common people would weave stories about it.

"There is one more thing..."

Luo Faqing hesitated for a moment, then spoke of the living Yin messengers being hunted and the suspected involvement of a Grandmaster.

He knew that with this Emperor's temperament, once spoken, trouble would inevitably arise within the Mystic Sects.

But if he did not say it, how could he be worthy of Li Yan's painstaking investigation?

"Earth Immortal..."

Emperor Xiao Qixuan's expression turned gloomy. "Hmm, I am already aware of this matter."

"Was this matter also discovered by that Li Yan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"He is indeed a lucky general. Ask him if he is willing to join the Mystic Xuan Xuan Jisi."

"This..."

Luo Faqing was somewhat troubled. "I have mentioned it, but Li Li Shaoxia said he is a rough person of the martial world and is not accustomed to entering the imperial court."

"Hmph, he is a grass-roots martial artist after all, unfit for the stage!"

Xiao Qixuan waved his hand. "Investigate this matter clearly; I have my own arrangements."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Luo Faqing hurriedly cupped his hands and retreated. After exiting the great hall, his back was already soaked with sweat.

And Xiao Qixuan inside the great hall looked up at the sky outside, murmuring:

"Earth Immortal... is it because of the changes in humanity that they can no longer restrain themselves?"

"If humans do not know what Heaven does, how can Heaven know what humans do?"

"Someone, invite the various National Preceptors to come..."

............ After Luo Faqing returned to the manor, he immediately recounted the situation.

"That's good."

Li Yan said in a deep voice: "It seems the Emperor is not yet muddled."

Luo Faqing shook his head with a bitter smile: "From what I see of His Majesty's intention, he does not want this matter to cause panic among the people and rumors to spread. As long as the people are caught, those powerful officials will naturally have ways to deal with them. We can just act according to the plan."

"Hmm."

Li Yan nodded: "We just discussed it and found a good opportunity."

Luo Mingzi hurriedly said, "Oh, tell me about it."

Li Yan brought over the map of the capital, placed it on the table, and said: "The incense master of the Maitreya Sect in the capital is Hu Yuanyuan of the Five Immortals Hall. I have accepted her commission to suppress the Yin criminal Wuleji hiding in the Prince of Ying's mansion."

"Because of the Tianjin wharf incident, the Prince of Ying's mansion, in order to soothe the people's hearts, wants to use the Old Princess's eightieth birthday to put on a grand display. At that time, many powerful officials in the capital will go. The Prince of Ying's mansion is entangled with the Flat Peach Banquet, so someone will definitely go. It will be just right for Sister Long to identify them."

"I will act as usual and infiltrate under Hu Yuanyuan's arrangement. The rest will have to be arranged by you, Daoist."

"Easy to say, this matter is not difficult."

Luo Faqing agreed immediately.

His subordinates were now all elites from the Commandant's Office and the Mystic Xuan Xuan Jisi, so this kind of thing was simple.

After the group finalized the plan, Li Yan returned to the capital first and checked into the inn arranged by Hu Yuanyuan.

By the time the twilight outside the window deepened, the streets were filled with cooking smoke and the sounds of hawking.

Li Yan leaned by the window, his gaze sweeping over the passersby below, when he suddenly saw a green-cloth carriage roll over the bluestone slabs and stop at the inn entrance.

The curtain was lifted, and Hu Yuanyuan flashed out wearing a plain cloak, the silver hairpin in her hair swaying slightly, the rouge at the corners of her eyes slanted up like a fox's tail.

Behind her followed a short, fat man in brocade robes and a jade belt, his face full of smiles, following carefully.

"Li Li Shaoxia, you've waited a long time."

After Hu Yuanyuan went upstairs and pushed the door open, she hung a peach charm on the door and introduced:

"This is Liu Sanhuai, the manager of Qing'an Hall, and also a brother in the sect."

Qing'an Hall?

Li Yan nodded slightly. "Thank you for your trouble."

He had heard the name Qing'an Hall; it was a famous opera troupe in the capital.

"Greetings, Li Li Shaoxia."

Liu Sanhuai hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands, grinning: "I have long heard of Li Li Shaoxia's might at the Xianyang arena! Our Qing'an Hall is just missing a martial actor like you to anchor the stage. This opera at the Prince of Ying's birthday banquet will surely be a full house!"

Li Yan frowned slightly. "I don't know how to sing opera."

"Don't worry."

Liu Sanhuai laughed: "You are Wang Jianmei, the great martial actor from Cangzhou whom I invited to help. The Prince of Ying's mansion checks strictly; having an identity makes it easier to enter. When the time comes, we'll just find an excuse that you're sick, and we can fool them."

Hu Yuanyuan also nodded: "Li Li Shaoxia, don't worry, Sanhuai has already made arrangements; the interlayer of the opera trunk can hide weapons."

She suddenly lowered her voice: "The technique that Wuleji cultivates requires drinking the blood of a virgin every new moon, and the night of the birthday banquet is just the right time!"

Two days later, the Prince of Ying's mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and carriages and horses were like dragons before the vermilion gates.

The Old Princess's eightieth birthday banquet was held in the evening; these were all convoys that had come early to deliver gifts.

There were mansion managers taking servants to check them one by one, conducting an inventory.

The opera troupe's carts and horses also slowly drove toward the side gate.

The side gate was also guarded by the Prince of Ying's mansion guards.

Manager Liu Sanhuai nodded and bowed, handing over the name card:

"For the birthday celebration opera scheduled by your mansion, I trouble the military gentlemen to accommodate us."

"Stand still!"

A scarred-faced captain barked, leading men to pry open the trunks and conduct a careful search.

Li Yan disguised himself as a martial actor in green, arms crossed, leaning against the opera trunk.

His peripheral vision swept over the mansion gate, seeing the "Prince of Ying Defeating the Barbarians" carved on the blue-brick shadow wall.

Ordinary families would at most have some reliefs like the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea; this was enough to show the power of the Prince of Ying's mansion.

Just as they expected, the mansion's search was exceptionally strict.

Those soldiers opened the trunks and even searched them piece by piece.

Seeing this, Li Yan narrowed his eyes.

They would be searched later, so he had hidden his artifacts in the secret compartment of the trunk, not knowing if he could muddle through.

Seeing this, Liu Sanhuai felt a panic in his heart and hurriedly stuffed out some loose silver,

"These are unsharpened props for martial opera. Look at these wooden handles; if they get messed up, it will be hard for us to clean up later..."

"Get lost!"

The captain spoke with a vicious voice, pushing him aside directly.

Just as he was about to continue the search, he heard a coquettish laugh from inside the gate:

"Commander Wang, Grandmother is still waiting to see 'Magu Offers Longevity'!"

One saw a young lady in magnificent robes standing by the gate, the golden dangling hairpin at her temple swaying slightly, her face full of impatience.

The captain immediately sheathed his sword and apologized with a smile: "My apologies, Ninth Miss, I will let them pass now!"

Although he said so, he still searched everyone's body before letting them pass.

"Hurry up!"

The young lady urged: "There are many people tonight, I begged Grandmother to let them sing for us early."

"Don't worry, Princess, I will definitely satisfy you."

Liu Sanhuai hurriedly apologized with a smile before sending the young lady away.

The opera troupe's convoy passed through the three ceremonial gates and arrived at the middle courtyard.

The Prince of Ying's mansion courtyard was also astonishingly large, with flower beds and ponds near the middle courtyard, and the brick-and-wood opera stage was just behind the pond.

"Be sensible, don't offend the host's taboos!"

Liu Sanhuai scolded, then picked up a bundle of wheat straw and scattered it along the opera stage.

This was the rule of the opera troupe.

Opera troupe members were in a lowly profession, known as the "lower nine streams," and many people had taboos.

For example, when going to other villages to perform, they could not enter the village casually, let alone enter people's homes casually. They generally lived in ruined temples or ruined kilns. This was called "the stage is built in front of the temple, the actors live in the temple, and after death, they are buried behind the temple."

If the opera trunk pressed on someone's house land, they had to set off firecrackers when leaving. Those who were particular even had to use black oxen to plow the land, turning over the house land, which was called "cleansing the house."

As for singing opera, they also had to scatter a circle of straw around the stage, meaning the actors were lowly and afraid of trampling the land, causing descendants to be unable to become officials. Before leaving, they had to gather the straw and burn it.

Qing'an Hall had a considerable reputation in the capital, but upon arriving at the Prince's mansion, they had to follow the rules everywhere to avoid bringing disaster.

Li Yan also followed others to move the trunks, but when he arrived in front of the rockery, he flicked his finger, flicking the paper doll into the crevice of the rockery.

Later, he would have to rely on the paper doll to investigate.

Just as they finished setting up the opera stage, they saw female relatives pouring out from the second floor of the opposite wing.

It turned out the female relatives of the mansion wanted to watch the opera early.

By logic, this did not conform to the rules; the opera troupe members hadn't even eaten.

But how could they dare to have half a word of complaint? Liu Sanhuai whispered: "Everyone, suffer a bit, just start singing."

Soon, the gongs and drums sounded, and the water pavilion opera stage became lively.

"The banquet at Yaochi begins—"

Following a clear singing voice, the dan role disguised as Magu stepped onto the stage gracefully with cloud steps.

She wore a kingfisher-feather phoenix crown, draped in a colorful rosy cape, her water sleeves flicked like flowing clouds falling to the ground, her fingertips lightly curled like orchids, truly a fairy walking out of a painting.

"Offering flat peaches to celebrate the birthday, wishing the Queen Mother longevity—"

The female relatives upstairs watched with great interest, while Li Yan lowered his head and hid in the dark area behind the opera stage.

His gaze was cold, occasionally glancing at the second floor.

There, beside the female relatives, stood a middle-aged scholar.

It was none other than the Third Master of the Jinghai Gang from Tianjin who had escaped, Yu Wenhai!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 683 =====