Chapter 747: Three Yin Soul-Returning Altar

Just as Lu Xiaowu's voice fell, someone at the banquet snorted with indignation.

"A pack of lies!"

Kong Zhenyuan of the Kong family stood up with a 'thump', pointed at Lu Xiaowu, and scolded, "That Li Yan is such a madman, storming the prison and taking people, drawing his blade in the street and holding the law in contempt—it is clearly tantamount to rebellion! We must quickly mobilize troops to encircle and suppress him to set the record straight!"

"Prince De, you..."

Halfway through his sentence, he sensed something was wrong.

His impassioned voice echoed in the hall, but the expected chorus of agreement did not appear.

The vast banquet hall of the Prince De's Mansion was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Those officials from the Jinan Prefectural Yamen looked at their noses and hearts; several gentry members who were on good terms with the Kong family quietly lowered their heads; even those disciples of the Mingde Academy who were usually arrogant were now silent.

Kong Zhenyuan's impassioned final note hung abruptly in the air. He looked around, and his heart skipped a beat.

He thought to himself that it was bad and secretly looked toward Prince De on the main seat.

Prince De Xiao Hong slowly put down his wine cup, his expression calm. He first glanced at the slightly awkward Kong Zhenyuan, then looked at the crowd, his voice not loud but clearly spreading throughout the hall: "I have also heard of this Li Yan."

He paused and continued, "He is no ordinary martial arts grass-roots. The chaos in Chengdu, the danger in Luoyang, and even the disaster at the capital's academy were all resolved by him. The imperial court remembers his merits and treats him with courtesy. There must be cause and effect in this; we must not act recklessly."

These words were like a basin of cold water, making Kong Zhenyuan feel cold in his heart.

His face turned from red to white. He opened his mouth but ultimately didn't dare to speak again and sat back down awkwardly.

The Kong family was now in decline, and the position of the Yansheng Duke was still undecided; how could they dare to offend Prince De?

Prince De ignored him and turned to look at Lu Xiaowu, his pampered eyes carrying a hint of inquiry: "Master Lu, since you are willing to make a trip, you must be confident."

"I wonder what certainty you have to talk to that Li Yan and make him... settle down for the time being?"

Lu Xiaowu knew the critical moment had arrived. He stepped forward, straightened his back, and said loudly, "Reporting to Your Highness, I... I am a fellow villager of that Li Yan!"

Once these words were spoken, even Kong Zhenyuan looked up at him in astonishment, let alone the others in the hall.

Lu Xiaowu's expression remained unchanged, as if it were indeed true: "Although we are not from the same village, we can be considered neighbors."

"I heard his name when I was young. Although we have gone our separate ways since then, we still have some hometown friendship. If I go to explain the pros and cons, reason with him, and move him with emotion, I expect Li Yan will give me some face."

"Oh? You actually have hometown friendship?"

Prince De's eyes brightened slightly, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Good! Since Master Lu is so righteous and willing to take on this heavy responsibility, I will leave this matter to you."

"Take my token and order the surrounding yamen soldiers to retreat for a bowshot's distance; do not press them and cause trouble!"

"As you command!"

A stone in Lu Xiaowu's heart fell to the ground. He respectfully took the gold token personally bestowed by Prince De and turned to leave with long, swift strides.

The Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce, gate tightly closed.

"Hmph!"

Master Zhao looked at Lu Xiaowu's token, and although he was unwilling, he only let out a cold snort.

As for those yamen soldiers, they didn't want to get involved in this matter anyway. With the Prince's token, they naturally retreated quickly.

As for Lu Xiaowu, he came alone to the tightly closed gate.

He took a deep breath, tidied his appearance, and knocked lightly on the door:

"I am Lu Xiaowu, acting under the decree of Prince De, here specifically to meet and talk with Young Hero Li!"

Before long, the heavy gate creaked open from the inside.

Sha Lifei poked his head out, saw it was Lu Xiaowu, and said in astonishment, "What are you here for?"

"Hero Sha."

Lu Xiaowu smiled, "I am here under the Prince's order to talk with you all."

"Then come in!"

Lu San and the others hadn't bought the spiritual materials, and seeing a turning point, Sha Lifei couldn't be bothered to ask too much.

He stepped inside, and the gate closed rapidly behind him.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was heavy, and Kong Shangzhao was pacing back and forth anxiously.

Li Yan and the others were in the front hall, staring coldly at Lu Xiaowu.

Lu Xiaowu felt a sense of dread and didn't dare to be the least bit negligent. He lowered his posture significantly, bowed from afar, and said sincerely, "Brother Li Yan, long time no see. I am here under the order of Prince De and have absolutely no ill intent."

Li Yan nodded slightly, signaling him to continue, his eyes still sharp as a blade.

Lu Xiaowu straightened up, his tone even more sincere: "To tell you the truth, the Prince was greatly shocked to hear that it was you here."

"The Prince holds you in high respect and believes there must be cause and effect in this matter, so he sent me to inquire."

This was his plan: to borrow the misunderstanding and act as a bridge on both sides to gain favor.

He had actually been paying attention to Li Yan's intelligence and knew he wouldn't stay in Jinan City for long. Whatever he said then would be his own business; as long as he seized the opportunity, he could borrow the momentum to rise.

"Oh?"

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, "It's just some misunderstandings; the Kong family's actions are too overbearing."

"Brother Li is right..."

Lu Xiaowu sighed, "The Kong family is getting worse with each generation. To tell you the truth, the Prince has no intention of getting involved in these internal affairs of the Kong family. He only wants to ensure that the 'human witness' is safe and sound so that the truth of the Yansheng Duke's sudden death can be investigated."

He deliberately emphasized the word "human witness," implying that Manager Kong's "value" lay in the truth rather than the Kong family's private grievances.

After pausing, he observed Li Yan's expression. Seeing no displeasure, Lu Xiaowu tentatively took a step forward and lowered his voice: "The Prince sent me here this time actually to ask Brother Li Yan what you think should be done about the current stalemate? If there is a way to achieve the best of both worlds, the Prince is willing to do his best to mediate and calm the storm."

Li Yan was still suspicious, "Is Prince De's Mansion really so kind?"

Lu Xiaowu's eyes flickered as if he had made a certain determination, and his voice dropped even lower, "To tell you the truth, the Prince heard that you are a retainer of the academy and has always regretted missing the opportunity. If this matter can have a good outcome..."

He was also extremely shrewd and good at observing expressions. He knew that dealing with people in the martial world like Li Yan, one must never be as circuitous as in officialdom or the business world; being direct and clear could instead gain trust.

Sure enough, after Li Yan and the others heard this, they believed it much more.

After all, the steam engine had already gained momentum in the Divine Land, and all forces didn't want to miss out.

"Easy!"

Time was pressing, and Li Yan didn't hesitate anymore, saying decisively:

"The conditions are simple. First, no one is to disturb this place before the Hour of the Rat! Second, I want these things!"

After saying this, he raised his hand, and a yellow paper filled with writing was handed to Lu Xiaowu by Sha Lifei.

What was listed on it were exactly the many rare spiritual materials, incense, and ritual artifacts needed for the "Three Yin Soul-Returning Altar."

Lu Xiaowu took the list and looked at it. Although he didn't understand their preciousness, he immediately agreed: "With the Prince's decree in hand, the Prince's Mansion and the Jinan Prefectural Treasury can temporarily lend a few. As long as they are in Jinan City, they can be gathered. Brother Li, rest assured, I will definitely not delay your ritual!"

After saying this, he left quickly and rushed to the Prince De's Mansion.

And when Prince De saw it, he was even more delighted in his heart.

People are like this: things that can be easily obtained are instead not trusted.

The more precious the things Li Yan wanted, the more he trusted Lu Xiaowu.

The energy of the Prince De's Mansion naturally goes without saying.

Under Lu Xiaowu's supervision, all items were delivered in less than half an hour.

They even brought back a few types of soul-calming and spirit-fixing incense that were stored in the Prince De's Mansion!

After Wang Fu verified them one by one, he nodded slightly.

Only then did Li Yan say in a deep voice, "Thank you for your trouble. Please thank the Prince on my behalf, and I will send a letter to the academy afterwards."

"Thank you, Brother Li!"

Lu Xiaowu was overjoyed. Suppressing his excitement, he cupped his hands again and said, "I will leave now. Rest assured, with the Prince's hand-written order, no one will come to disturb you."

After saying this, he left in a hurry.

"Tsk tsk." ===== CHAPTER 748 =====