"Second, prohibit the private sale of prohibited drugs; opium is a toxic substance from foreign barbarians. Those who consu it beco emaciated and unproductive. From today, each customs office shall strictly inspect foreign ships for concealed goods. Any found will be incinerated imdiately, and any sellers, regardless of being Han or barbarian, will be treated as ’undermining the state’. The ringleader will be executed by dismbernt, and buyers will be exiled three thousand li..."
The decrees were listed clearly, with harsh penalties.
The seals of the Imperial Supervision Office and the Five Cities Military and Horse Departnt were all freshly stamped in vermilion.
So that’s why...
Li Yan understood the mont he saw it.
It appears the court was thoroughly provoked by the incident at Jinn Pier.
The civil laws are severe, but the struggles within the court are likely even fiercer.
What reassures Li Yan is that with the court’s strict prohibition of opium, this substance may no longer plague the Divine State.
However, this also ans it is inconvenient for him to et Yan Jiuling for the ti being.
Regardless of his own wishes, due to his grandfather, this brother has beco a banner for the Sea Opening Sect.
The incident at Jinn allowed local factions to seize the opportunity to launch a massive assault on the Sea Opening Sect.
To maintain balance and restraint, the Emperor chose to sit and watch the tigers fight.
At this mont, Yan Jiuling must not be feeling well.
If he shows up and Zhao Qingxu sets a trap, it might harm Yan Jiuling.
Investigation must be conducted covertly.
But how to blend into the Prince Ying Mansion...
While deep in thought, Li Yan walked along the bluestone-paved street.
The Great Xuan was at its zenith; the prosperity of the capital was unparalleled in the Divine State.
The densely packed shop signs on both sides almost obscured the sky.
Under the gilded signboard of the silk shop "Ruifuxiang," an attendant unfurled a piece of Suzhou embroidered cloud brocade, attracting passing rchants...
Next door, in the pharmacy, the copper grinder was whirring, and the apprentice in hemp shorts was shouting, "Tongxin Hall’s tiger bone wine, dispelling dampness and cold!"
The various shouting sounds, mingled with the sound of mules and horses on the street, rose and fell, and all that could be seen was bustling noise.
Li Yan was in no hurry to go to the Prince Ying Mansion; instead, he wandered leisurely around the city.
He would likely stay in the capital for so ti, so it was best to familiarize himself as soon as possible.
After all, as a seasoned traveler of the pugilistic world, others only saw the prosperity, but Li Yan saw much more.
That shirtless man on the ground was performing the chest-breaking stone trick.
Usually, these people are from the ’hanging profession’ in the pugilistic world, divided into "Pure Hang" and "Versatile Perforrs."
"Pure Hang" simply perford martial arts for a living, while "Versatile Perforrs" also sold wild redies, Power Pills, and fake dicines like tiger bone wine.
Regardless of the type, they were all "bloody martial arts," and their skills were not very impressive.
After all, those with real skills wouldn’t endure such hardships.
But this shirtless man, when a hamr fell, puffed out his chest and actually used Hidden Energy to shatter the bluestone.
With the upper and lower hits, the bluestone shattered and exploded, far surpassing ordinary skills.
"Bravo!"
The surrounding citizens applauded and threw copper coins.
However, the man remained expressionless as the coins clinked in the ceramic bowl.
It turned out his legs had been severed at the roots by a weapon.
After the crowd dispersed, the young man holding the hamr quickly approached, full of distress, and said, "Master..."
"Don’t say it, I can still hold on."
The man’s eyes were filled with desolation, "Once we’ve saved enough money, we’ll return to Jizhou and leave this man-eating capital!"
As Li Yan left with the crowd, he shook his head slightly, neither looking nor caring, as he flicked his hand.
Ding ding ding!
A small ingot of silver, under the shocked gaze of the master and apprentice, spun rapidly in the broken bowl.
The man quickly raised his head, but seeing the bustling street, he could no longer find the person and could only cup his fists into the air, "Thank you, brother..."
There were those who had fallen on hard tis, and naturally, those who were fulfilled.
Burly escort masters gathered in threes and fives, laughing as they entered the brothel, clearly having just completed an escort and receiving a reward.
There were also scholarly disciples in flowing white robes, strolling the streets with flowers in their hair, indulging in romance.
Yet in the capital, imperial laws and power reigned supre.
No matter who they were, they would avoid the governnt officers and guards patrolling along the streets.
Unknowingly, by sunset, Li Yan passed through Zhengyang Gate’s arrow tower and entered the inner city.
The surroundings suddenly beca solemn.
Outside the Six Ministries near East Rice Alley, the masters in blue robes and small hats hurried along with official docunts;
Outside the Wuchang Street martial office, nurous soldiers lined up to patrol.
In comparison, the inner city’s streets were cleaner, as not only were the court’s various offices located here, but also many aristocrats’ deep houses. Even a small yard was sothing a commoner could not afford.
Of course, the inner city was lively as well.
The tea houses and taverns along the street beca more prosperous, and those coming and going were basically not in rags.
As evening shadows descended, Li Yan slipped into Wang Zhima Hutong, north of the East Four Archway.
The alley was even quieter, filled with noble residences, with occasional passersby.
In a short ti, Li Yan saw several courts officials’ residences.
All had vermilion doors tightly closed, and if one wished to seek soone, they had to knock the copper studs on the door fra.
Almost every household had a protective object at the entrance.
Much like the Hundred Battle Plate at his ho, the court bestowed stone lions and stone drums were all used for evil exorcism and house protection.
Due to Luo Mingzi’s repeated warnings, Li Yan didn’t easily use his divine skills for probing.
He rely used the light body technique, concealing his aura, to shuttle through the shadows on the dusk street.
Before long, Li Yan arrived outside a large residence.
Looking from a distance, he saw a plaque hanging on the lintel that read "Prince Ying Mansion Sub-offices."
Li Yan glanced at the sky, seeing the sun set, and imdiately darted into a dark alley, preparing to climb over the wall.
But at this mont, he suddenly stopped, his expression turning peculiar.
The Hook Paper in his embrace began to heat up slightly!
Interesting...
Li Yan was slightly surprised, not expecting that within the Prince Ying Mansion was hiding a yin criminal!
Without any hesitation, Li Yan imdiately focused his mind.
Through the mist, a stone well with black water appeared before his eyes.
He placed his hand on the well’s edge, and the black water swirled, imdiately displaying the information of the yin criminal:
This yin criminal is nad Wuleji, hailing from the depths of Daxing’anling, "Black Wolf Village," paying tribute to the Wolf Immortal...
So it’s the "Dark Five Immortals"!
Li Yan imdiately guessed this person’s heritage.
Northern Border is primarily Shaman inheritance, the most famous naturally being the erging immortals, worshiping foxes, weasels, snakes, hedgehogs, and mice.
But few know, aside from these "Bright Five Immortals," there are also "Dark Five Immortals."
"Dark Five Immortals" refers to those who worship tiger, wolf, centipede, bat, and frog immortals.
Unlike the orthodox erging immortals, the Dark Five Immortals are known for their evil skills like blood food sacrifices and body seizing for life continuity.
Just like this "Black Wolf Village," which was besieged by the Five Immortals Hall due to flaying and refining "Mother and Child Evil" from pregnant won’s placenta, only Wuleji escaped.
This person cultivated "Wolf Immortal Possession," needing to devour live human hearts and livers monthly.
Back then, when Prince Ying led the troops to suppress Northern Border rebellion, he was ambushed by Golden Tent Wolf Country remnants, lured into White Mountains Black Water to be surrounded and killed.
The just-returned-to-life Wuleji took the opportunity to attack and kill the Golden Tent Wolf Country Shaman, consuming heart and liver to heal, being seen as a "wonder man" by Prince Ying and taken in...
Seeing this information, Li Yan was sowhat disappointed.
He initially thought the one hiding was a Jianmu Demon.
Now it seems to be rely a thug taken in by the mansion.
He had heard about such matters from the Yellow Springs Organization people.
Most Earth Immortal yin criminals hide within Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, sheltered by the Mystic Sect Grand Teachings.
Both sides have an understanding that as long as no major incident arises, living Yin ssengers will turn a blind eye.
But there are still so lone masterless wolves.
Those who can bear the solitude hide in desolate mountains and wilderness, but so can’t stand the loneliness and delve into the muddy secular world, hiding in royal residences and noble hos, becoming a tribute.
Thinking of this, Li Yan stopped.
With such a master in the Prince Ying Mansion, sneaking in boldly would certainly be detected.
He couldn’t directly summon yin soldiers to arrest people; otherwise, no one in the entire mansion would survive.
Should things escalate, he’d have no choice but to flee in disgrace.
A foolproof plan is necessary.
At this mont, the crimson small door at the back of the alley creaked open.
In this secluded place, according to the usual layout, it should be a passage for the chef to go out for shopping and transporting firewood.
However, out ca a gorgeously dressed nobleman, fairly handso but with drooping eyes, a pale complexion, dark circles, and walking with a hunched back, looking worn-out from excessive indulgence in wine and won.
Behind him followed two Prince Mansion Guards, both looking troubled.
One of them pleaded, "Sir, let’s not go, don’t anger the old lady."
"What are you afraid of?!"
The young noble glared, "Grandmother is bedridden, and everyone else is scheming against each other, who cares to control ."
"Go, go, go, I heard a new girl arrived at Fragrant Pavilion, extraordinarily beautiful, she’s ’coming out’ tonight, those bastards must all go, I don’t want to drink their swill..."
Saying that, he tugged on his robe and walked out.
The two Prince Mansion Guards looked helpless and had no choice but to follow behind.
Li Yan glanced at the mansion’s high walls, deep in thought, and blended into the night following the noble’s figure...
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