The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1323 - 686: Prince Mansion Murder Hunt (Part 2)

Because he feared being accused of not accommodating meritorious officials and brothers, he showed leniency towards Prince Ying and King Shu.

Because of the opening of the seas, he discovered the vastness of the world and thus kindled his ambitions.

Clearly, this matter has already stirred his murderous intent.

After all, the "Flat Peach" incident was shocking; the official history cannot escape it, and who knows how it will be spun among the common folk.

"There's one more thing..."

Luo Mingzi hesitated for a moment before mentioning the hunting down of the living Yin messenger, which was suspected to involve a Grandmaster.

He knew that given this emperor's nature, once mentioned, it would surely cause upheaval within the Mystical Sect.

But if he didn't say it, how could he live up to Li Yan's painstaking investigation?

"Earth Immortal..."

Emperor Xiao Qixuan's expression turned somber. "Yes, I am aware of this matter."

"Was it also uncovered by that Li Yan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"He's quite the Deputy General. Ask him if he is willing to join the Xuan Sacrificial Officer."

"This..."

Luo Mingzi felt a bit troubled, "I mentioned it, but Young Hero Li said rough people from the pugilistic world are not accustomed to entering the court."

"Hmph, they're ultimately nothing more than pugilistic bandits, unworthy of public appearances!"

Xiao Qixuan waved his hand, "Look into this matter thoroughly, and I will make arrangements."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Luo Mingzi quickly cupped his hands and retreated. Upon exiting the grand hall, his back was already drenched in sweat.

Meanwhile, inside the grand hall, Xiao Qixuan looked up at the sky outside and murmured:

"Earth Immortal... Is it because of the Human Dao reforms that they couldn't hold back?"

"Men are unaware of heavenly deeds, how could heaven know human actions?"

"Summon the State Preceptors..."

......

Luo Mingzi, after returning to the manor, immediately recounted the situation.

"That's good."

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "It seems the Emperor hasn't lost his touch."

Luo Mingzi shook his head with a wry smile, "It seems His Majesty doesn't want this issue to cause public panic and rumors, as long as the culprits are caught, those in power naturally have their ways of handling it, we just need to proceed as planned."

"Hmm."

Li Yan nodded, "We were just discussing, and found a good opportunity."

Luo Mingzi quickly said, "Oh, let's hear it."

Li Yan took out 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 took on her commission to suppress and kill the yin criminal Wuleji hidden in the Prince Ying Mansion."

"Due to the Jinmen Pier incident, the Prince Ying Mansion, to appease the people, intends to host a grand show for the old Princess Consort's eightieth birthday. Many high-ranking officials from the Capital will attend. The Prince Ying Mansion's unclear ties to the Pantao Conference will surely draw some people, which is perfect for Sister Long to identify."

"I will proceed as usual, and Hu Yuanyuan will arrange for me to infiltrate. The rest will need to be arranged by the Daoist."

"Easily done, this matter is not difficult."

Luo Mingzi readily agreed.

With the elite forces of the Captain Bureau and the Xuan Sacrificial Officer at his disposal, this task was exceedingly simple. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

After setting their plan, Li Yan returned to the Capital ahead of them, staying at the inn arranged by Hu Yuanyuan.

As twilight deepened outside the window, the streets and alleys bustled with cooking smoke and street vendor shouts.

Li Yan leaned against the window, his gaze sweeping over the people passing by below, when he suddenly saw a blue-cloth carriage rolling over the cobblestones, stopping at the inn entrance.

The carriage curtain lifted, and Hu Yuanyuan, covered in a plain-colored cloak, swiftly stepped out, her silver hairpin slightly swaying, the rouge at the corners of her eyes curling upward like a fox's tail.

Behind her followed a short, stout man, wearing a brocade robe and jade belt, his face full of smiles, carefully trailing behind.

"Young Hero Li, sorry to keep you waiting."

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

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

Qing'an Hall?

Li Yan nodded slightly, "Much obliged."

He had heard of Qing'an Hall, a renowned opera troupe in the Capital.

"Pleasure to meet you, Young Hero Li."

Liu Sanhuai quickly bowed, his hands cupped, and grinned, "I've long heard of Young Hero Li's prowess at the Xianyang tournament! Our Qing'an Hall could use a Martial Artist like you to uphold the stage. The Prince Ying Mansion's birthday banquet, this play must be a full house!"

Li Yan frowned slightly, "I can't perform opera."

"Rest easy."

Liu Sanhuai chuckled, "You're here as the great martial artist Wang Jianmei from Cangzhou to assist. The Prince Ying Mansion is conducting strict checks; having an identity makes it easier to enter the mansion, and we can find a pretense of illness to get past it."

Hu Yuanyuan also nodded, "Young Hero Li, rest assured. Sanhuai has everything arranged, and the weapon can be hidden in the secret compartment of the opera trunk."

She suddenly lowered her voice, "The method Wuleji practiced requires him to drink the blood of a virgin girl every new moon, and the night of the banquet is precisely the right time!"

......

Two days later, the Prince Ying Mansion was festively decorated, and the carriages and horses formed a long line before the vermilion lacquered gates.

The Princess Consort's eightieth birthday banquet was scheduled for the evening, and these were the convoys arriving early to deliver gifts.

Managers from the mansion, accompanied by servants, inspected each one and conducted an inventory.

The carriage from Qing'an Hall was also slowly heading towards the side gate.

The side gate was just as heavily guarded by the Prince Mansion Guards.

Manager Liu Sanhuai bowed and handed over a name card:

"The birthday hall meeting scheduled by your noble residence, may I ask for your understanding, dear military officer."

"Stand firm, everyone!"

A scar-faced Colonel barked, leading his men to uncover the boxes for a thorough inspection.

Li Yan posed as a Green-clothed Martial Artist, arms crossed, leaning against the opera box.

His peripheral vision scanned the mansion gate, noticing the "Prince Ying Defeating Invaders" carving on the green brick shadow wall.

Ordinary households might at best have some "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" reliefs; the influence of the Prince Ying Mansion was evident.

True to their expectations, the mansion's scrutiny was particularly stringent.

The soldiers opened the boxes, searching meticulously item by item.

Upon seeing this, Li Yan narrowed his eyes.

A body search would follow, so he had hidden the Magic Artifact in a secret compartment within the box, wondering if it would pass undetected.

Witnessing this, Liu Sanhuai also became nervous, hastily offering broken silver,

"These are unsharpened props for the martial performance—see this wooden handle—should they be messed up, it'll be troublesome to tidy up later..."

"Get lost!"

The Colonel shouted harshly, pushing him aside.

Just as the search was to continue, a playful female voice came from inside the gate:

"Commander Wang, grandmother is still waiting to watch 'Magu Offering Longevity'!"

A lavishly dressed young girl stood by the door, her golden hairpin swaying lightly, her face full of impatience.

The Colonel immediately sheathed his blade with a smile: "Pardon us, Ninth Miss, we shall let them pass at once!"

Despite saying so, they still conducted body searches before letting them through.

"Hurry up!"

The young girl urged, "There will be many people tonight; I've pleaded with grandmother to let us perform early."

"Rest assured, Princess, we'll certainly satisfy you."

Liu Sanhuai quickly offered a courteous smile, finally dismissing the young girl.

The troupe's convoy passed through three ceremonial gates into the central courtyard.

The courtyard of Prince Ying Mansion was equally expansive, surrounded by flower beds and ponds, with the brick-wood stage located just behind the pond.

"Be mindful and don't violate the host's taboos!"

Liu Sanhuai instructed sternly, then picked up a bundle of straw, scattering it around the stage.

This was a custom of the troupe.

The troupe was considered a lowly profession, referred to as the bottom of the nine classes, and many had taboos.

For example, when performing in other villages, they couldn't casually enter the village or people's homes, usually residing in abandoned temples or cellars; hence the saying, "The stage is set before the temple, actors live in the temple, and they are buried behind the temple."

If the opera boxes pressed onto a household's land, fireworks must be set off upon departure. Some customs even required a black ox to plow the land as a purification ritual.

As for performing in halls, straw had to be sprinkled around the stage, symbolizing the lowly status of actors, fearful of damaging the ground which might prevent descendants from taking official positions. Before leaving, the straw had to be gathered and burned.

Qing'an Hall held quite a reputation in the Capital, but upon entering the mansion, they strictly adhered to customs, avoiding any calamity.

Li Yan followed others in carrying boxes but, upon reaching the rockery, flicked the Grass Spirit Paper Man into a crevice in the rocks.

Later, they would rely on the Grass Spirit Paper Man for reconnaissance.

Just as they finished setting up the stage, women began emerging from the second-floor rooms opposite.

The mansion's female relatives were eager to watch the performance early.

By rule, this was inappropriate since the troupe hadn't even eaten.

But who dared to utter a word? Liu Sanhuai murmured quietly: "Everyone, please bear with it and begin the performance."

Soon, the sound of gongs and drums rang out, enlivening the waterside stage.

"The Turquoise Pool opens for the feast—"

A clear voice sang as the actress playing Magu gracefully stepped onto the stage.

Adorned with a Dian Cui Phoenix Crown and a Five-Colored Cloud Robe, she flicked her water sleeve gracefully, resembling flowing clouds; her fingertips elegantly curled like orchid petals, embodying a Fairy stepping out from a painting.

"Offering Flat Peaches to celebrate longevity, wishing the Queen Mother eternal life—"

The women upstairs watched with great interest, while Li Yan was hidden in the shadows behind the stage.

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

Beside the women stood a middle-aged scholar.

It was none other than Yu Wenhai, the fugitive third head from the Jinmen Jinghai Gang!