"Are they holding a funeral?"
Li Yan squinted his eyes, "Tell about this person."
Truthfully, he was already a bit suspicious of this kid.
The pattern was used by the Yellow Springs Organization as a marker, similar to a thief marking their territory. Outsiders wouldn't understand, and once they've succeeded, they would quickly erase the traces.
Since there's a funeral, why would the marker still be there?
Additionally, this kid discovered it way too quickly.
These street kids are accustod to deceit and trickery.
It's possible he drew the sign himself to lure him over and ask for money...
"Uncle, I wouldn't dare deceive you!"
Apparently seeing Li Yan's suspicion, Liang Biaozi hurriedly pleaded, "I won't hide this from you. I recruited so beggar kids and provide them hot pancakes to help run errands and gather intelligence."
"As long as it's about Jinn, I can always get so sort of news. I wasn't reassured about the place they found, so I made a special trip and asked about that household's background. There is indeed sothing odd."
"Oh, tell about it, what's odd?"
"That household's surna is Wang. The family's head is nad Wang Chaoyi, who was originally an old bamboo craftsman. The family lived cramped in a muddy alley, so poor that even mice would starve. The whole family shared one pair of cotton pants, whoever went out in the winter wore them."
"Yet five years ago, Wang Chaoyi got severely ill and passed away. He was seventy-five, an age considered a happy funeral. The family prepared a coffin with thin wooden panels for burial."
"Who would have thought that just as the children were crying, the old man ca back to life. The Wang family was poor, couldn't take care of him, but they feared being accused of being unfilial by the neighbors, so naturally, they weren't pleased."
"However, after the old man revived, it was as though the Wang family beca lucky. In just half a year, they grew wealthy, eating well and living lavishly. They even bought a mansion in South City, and just until a few days ago, he suddenly died..."
It's a Rejuvenator!
Upon hearing this, Li Yan felt certain in his heart.
Liang Biaozi was a chatterbox and liked to embellish stories.
Yet unintentionally, he revealed important information.
A regular person visiting the Netherworld would forget everything, but due to the Evil Qi contaminating the Divine Soul, they might awaken powers akin to Divine Skills, able to curse others, communicate with Ghost Gods, and acquire benefits.
But such powers always co at a price.
The Divine Soul contaminated by Evil Qi would gradually beco bloodthirsty and turn into an evil being.
Sotis without the living Yin ssenger taking action, they would be discovered by the Magician and slain because of their disturbances.
"Let's go, take to have a look..."
...
As dusk descended, the reedy scent from the Three Forks River drifted through the city.
Li Yan followed Liang Biaozi, turning into the South Gate main street.
On both sides of the alley paved with blue bricks, small row shops built in the early years of Great Xuan clustered together, with faded inscriptions of "Dunren Neighborhood" and "Shude Square" on their pedints.
"Jinn has a large population, the distinguished and noble reside in North City."
Liang Biaozi introduced while walking: "There's an old saying in Jinn, Hai River water circles the city, the eight most affluent families in North City, wealth doesn't last Three Generations. This speaks to Jinn's short history, the richest families in North City are mostly salt rchants and grain rchants, but they rise and fall, never maintaining wealth for Three Generations."
"But Jinn has many people, a peaceful mansion can't be afforded by ordinary folks, if only slightly wealthy, they can only squeeze with street shops..."
"Here it is, that's the one!"
He was indeed right; the Wang family's house was wedged between a pawnshop and a lamb restaurant.
It was already evening, the street was less crowded, surrounding shops were closing.
Under the Wang family's porch, a white gauze lantern swayed in the draft, illuminating the newly painted vermilion lacquer on the door panels.
It's an old custom, Jinn families holding white affairs must repaint their door panels with "Three Righteous Grandfather's thick red lacquer."
Li Yan glanced at the old tree outside the Wang Family Mansion.
In the dark branches, a Yellow Springs Organization marker was painted in ink.
Swaying crookedly, intersecting with the tree's texture.
If ignored, it would be impossible to spot.
"Li Yan, this household certainly has issues!"
Liang Biaozi shot another glance, speaking with surety.
"How do you say?" Li Yan asked.
"It's simple, look at that."
Liang Biaozi pointed at a water channel outside the Wang family door, "Though I'm not knowledgeable in Fengshui, having helped people find houses and connected them with businesses for so long, I know so taboos."
"The spirit tent shouldn't face a drainage ditch, Jinn elders most avoid this 'Yin Ditch Charge of Evil Qi'."
The two hid beside the alley corner's official ditch stone opposite, providing a clear view of the Wang family's front door.
Through the door gap, the Wang family yard's temporary reed mat pavilion was visible.
The pavilion faced the mouth of a dark channel built with green slab stones.
Li Yan could even sll the salty fishy river scent rising up.
"Thank you!"
Li Yan nodded, casually tossing out several taels of silver.
"Hey, this..."
Liang Biaozi's face blossod with joy, having received paynt earlier, he didn't expect additional reward money.
"Well, do your thing, I'll be off."
Being perceptive, he understood that Li Yan's paynt was a sign for him to leave.
After all, this task was easy yet profitable, he wasn't interested in creating more troubles.
Whether Li Yan was here for robbery or arson, he would feign ignorance afterwards.
Once Liang Biaozi left, Li Yan slipped into a dark alley for a safer wait.
This ti was a solo mission for him.
After all, Tianjin Guard was populous, acting alone was more convenient.
Soon, darkness completely enveloped the night.
Across from a tavern where candlelight still flickered, the rest had closed.
Li Yan hid in the dark alley, left hand forming a mantra, little finger flicking, several Grass Spirit Paper n flew out from his waist, circling around him. As he recited the Mysterious Water Escape Spell, Yin Wind suddenly arose, his figure rapidly vanished.
A gust of wind blew through the night, Li Yan now stood atop the Wang family courtyard wall.
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