Chapter 794: Peeling Away the Silk

Crack!

Holding the scroll in his hand, Li Yan’s face darkened as he crushed the armrest in one grip.

“It’s all my fault…”

Nearby, Sha LiFei stared with guilt, murmuring: “If I hadn’t rushed for glory, the defense wouldn’t have had a breach.”

Lin the Fat also bowed his head: “It’s because of my family’s affairs that everyone got dragged into this…”

“Enough!”

Li Yan raised his eyes to cut them off, rising and speaking gravely: “Talking now changes nothing. This isn’t your fault—the demons’ intent was clear from the start.”

“Correct,” Kong Shangzhao nodded solemnly. “I was closer at the time, but that old demon, after seizing Master Wang, deliberately passed me up to capture Brother Lu. They must have planned this—they knew he was the earliest follower, and had the deepest bond with Brother Li.”

He turned to Sha LiFei. “As for why they didn’t take Brother Sha, they likely judged Master Wang and Brother Lu more critical—one presiding over the altar, the other handling reconnaissance.”

Li Yan nodded: “Your analysis is sound. I’ve already sent word to Jin Yan Men. Murong Yan will arrive soon—we’ll ask where the Red Silk Pavilion is.”

The Ghost Opera Troupe left a message about trading at the Red Silk Pavilion, but after inquiry, no such place exists on the Qinhuai River in Jinling. We must turn to Jin Yan Men.

“Li Shaoxia, wait!”

At that moment, Qiu Mingyuan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up in agitation.

Because of the Wang Fu incident, the Commandant’s Office sent a large force to investigate, and fearing they’d be caught with evidence, they asked Li Yan to stay at Wang Fu to assist—yet this disaster still occurred.

The Commandant’s Office suffered heavy losses too, but Qiu Mingyuan dared send only his deputy to handle it, staying behind himself, precisely because he feared this.

His eyes filled with anxiety as he spoke: “Li Shaoxia, I know you’re righteous to the point of self-sacrifice, but doing this plays right into their hands. Lose your Living Yin Officer status, and those demons will have no restraint left.”

“I’ve received word—the demons have gained new reinforcements. The attacker was the Ghost Opera Troupe’s master himself, and even he is being manipulated. There may be someone higher still.”

“These demons are ruthless. Hand them what they want, and you won’t save anyone—you’ll lose your own life too…”

“Enough, Lord Qiu!”

Li Yan cut him off coldly, speaking calmly: “Lord, instead of ordering us, why not find out who set this trap? Wang Fu’s invitation was clearly a scheme.”

Qiu Mingyuan’s heart sank, his face twisting into a bitter smile.

He had stayed silent earlier precisely because he feared this.

Li Yan was right—the banquet last night was likely a trap from the start, meant to lure Li Yan away so the Earth Immortals could act freely and kidnap his companions as leverage.

He himself had urged Li Yan to go, making him an unwitting accomplice.

But now the problem was this: the chief representatives of the Lu family of Suzhou and the Xie family of Qiantang in Jinling were both dead in the explosion, and even Prince Wang remained gravely wounded and unconscious.

No one knew the truth behind this, yet members of both families were still shouting for the culprits to be found.

This unsolved case would take time to unravel.

Earlier intelligence had warned him Li Yan was a stubborn man; now, clearly suppressing murderous intent, he spoke without a trace of courtesy. Further pleading would only harden his resistance.

Realizing this, Qiu Mingyuan had no answer left.

“I say, Lord Qiu…”

At that moment, Kuai Dayou suddenly spoke: “Could you tell me—did you ever find the maker of the thunder-fire mechanism inside Commander Zhou’s abdomen?”

Qiu Mingyuan perked up, speaking gravely: “We thought of that too. Only an extraordinary craftsman could hide such a delicate mechanism inside the body. Zhou Dayong was long fallen from grace—no one but someone with power could have arranged this, and enabled him to infiltrate Wang Fu’s tight defenses.”

“It might even be connected to those demons!”

“But the problem now is Zhou Dayong is reduced to ashes, the mechanism shattered into fragments—only debris remains. We can’t trace who made it.”

“May I see it?”

“Of course. Bring it in…”

Soon, the fragments were placed on a tray and brought forward.

Kuai Dayou took them, examining each piece carefully.

As Qiu Mingyuan said, the object was utterly destroyed—parts twisted, charred, blackened—but Kuai Dayou’s gaze sharpened as he studied them, his suspicions forming.

“Brother Li, this technique follows the path of ‘Yansheng Craftsmanship’!”

He picked up a fragment, his face grim: “Look at this piece of the thunder-fire pearl—inside the cast iron shell, engraved with ‘Spring Silkworm Coiling Silk Pattern.’ The Lu Ban Book has a heretical appendix detailing the ‘Five Viscera Burning Curse’!”

“This curse requires living organs as a catalyst. The thunder-fire pearl is implanted three inches below the dantian, then bound by secret methods to delay detonation. That divine silkworm silk would be perfect for it.”

“Remember when Lin’s disciples mentioned a demon frequently visiting shops? One called Chen Sanxiang, nicknamed ‘Eared-Off Lu Ban’—he specialized in the ‘Seven Evil Yansheng Arts’!”

“Oh?”

Qiu Mingyuan stared at Kuai Dayou in surprise.

He had read all Twelve Yuan Chen intelligence reports—he knew Kuai Dayou’s identity.

Descendant of the Divine Artisan “Kuai Lu Ban,” nominal young master of the Craftsmen’s Guild “Xiangshan Gang,” a prodigy craftsman, cast out by his clan for heresy, now wandering the capital.

He hadn’t expected Kuai Dayou to uncover this clue so swiftly from mere traces.

Nor had he expected that scholar, Kong Shangzhao.

In the Commandant’s Office, his reputation was strong—remarkable memory, sharp analytical skill. Luo Mingzi had even clashed with Commandant’s Office officers over letting him go.

Yet now, under this pressure, he remained calm and offered insight.

Wang Daoxuan and Lu San were core members of the Twelve Yuan Chen. He’d assumed their capture severed Li Yan’s right and left arms—but now, more talent had surfaced.

Thinking of this, Qiu Mingyuan straightened and bowed respectfully: “Kuai Shaoxia, you’re truly exceptional. But ‘Eared-Off Lu Ban’ Chen Sanxiang hides deep—do you have any leads on him?”

“Of course.”

Kuai Dayou sneered: “That old ghost cultivates the ‘Seven Evil Yansheng Arts.’ Though these heretical arts are potent and deadly, their backlash is severe.”

“The accumulation of evil qi demands constant intake of potent yang medicines, and he’s developed a habit of frequenting courtesans. He carved open Zhou Dayong’s abdomen to implant the mechanism—he couldn’t have left Jinling for long.”

“To mask his corpse stench, he must use heavy perfumes…”

“I understand!”

Qiu Mingyuan nodded sharply and left.

Old men use scent pouches—this clue was unmistakable. Send men to every brothel and entertainment quarter in Jinling, and they’ll find him.

Besides, he could tell Li Yan’s group wanted him gone—so Kuai Dayou revealed this lead without reservation. Staying longer would only annoy them.

Creak~

After he left, Kuai Dayou immediately shut the door. Sha LiFei, sensing his intent, took the Ruyi Treasure Pearl from his pack and hung it up, blocking all spiritual detection.

“What else do we have?”

Sha LiFei stared at Kuai Dayou, tense with urgency.

He wanted to rush to rescue Wang Daoxuan and Lu San right now.

“Not me.”

Kuai Dayou shook his head, turning to Kong Shangzhao: “The scholar has something to say.”

Li Yan also turned to Kong Shangzhao.

Throughout this journey, Kong Shangzhao and his two companions had been quiet, only helping gather clues during the search for Zhou Yinliao—but Li Yan knew this scholar’s mind was sharp.

“Just to be safe…”