He knew clearly in his heart that once he entered the Yann Branch, he would inevitably be recognized sooner or later.
As he reached the top floor's Tingtai Pavilion, it turned out to be brilliantly clean and bright.
Outside the carved wooden windows, the shimring waves of Daming Lake were fully visible, the evening breeze gently blowing away the clamor below.
The elegant room was tastefully arranged, burning with a subtle Sandalwood Incense. The Hooker carefully served the finest tea and seasonal fruits before retreating as if granted rcy.
Soon, a woman dressed in a dark purple silk robe, around forty years old but still charming, swayed her hips as she walked in, her face wearing a friendly yet asured smile, her eyes seed to hook onto Sha Lifei and finally settled on Li Yan with a restrained glint.
She waved her hand to let the two little maidservants leave, then turned to close the door, beaming with a smile, she respectfully clasped her hands, "I am Jin Ping from Yanbo Building, Squad Leader of the Qi and Lu of the Golden Swallow Sect. Greetings to Young Hero Li and Hero Sha."
"Thank you for your trouble." Li Yan nodded slightly.
"It's nothing," she said, with a naturally familiar deanor, pouring the tea herself, "I received Elder Su's ssage by carrier pigeon in advance. These are the things you two requested, all here."
While speaking, she retrieved two fire-sealed letters from her wide sleeves, presenting them with both hands.
Li Yan frowned slightly, "So many?"
Jin Ping hastily said, "Replying to Young Hero Li, it's two letters."
"The thick one on top contains the rumors and news, overt and covert, about Jinan Prefecture and the Qi and Lu pugilistic world over the past six months. The thinner one below is what you specifically requested, regarding... the Taishan area."
"Elder Su said you'll definitely find it useful."
"Oh, Elder Su indeed thought this through." Li Yan praised and then opened the thick envelope.
He saw the paper densely recorded with entries in fine writing, clearly organized.
Jin Ping patiently explained on the side, "Recently, the most critical issue in the Qi and Lu world is the 'opening to the sea.'
"Since the court lifted the mariti ban and established ports, several large Chambers of Comrce along the coast, especially the newly erged 'Cao Hai United Boat Gang' and 'East Lu Trading Company' in Dengzhou and Lai State, have been investing trendously. With heavy expenditures and significant profits, they've enlisted many renowned experts in the Qi and Lu road, even drawing out so reclusive seniors for key positions."
"So are tasked with escorting goods and protecting ships for the rchant teams against overseas threats, and others are stationed in newly built workshop and warehouse districts as guards. Currently, in Jinan Prefecture, the local bosses are having a hard ti, losing experts, and frequently, outsiders are causing disturbances in their territories."
"Even at the docks on the edge of Jinan City, disputes have increased compared to previous years. There are fights over shipping, storage, and guard services, happening all the ti."
Sha Lifei stroked his chin and remarked, "Those sea rchants are willing to spend heavily. Tsk, paving the way with gold and recruiting experts, it seems they've made quite a fortune at sea."
Jin Ping nodded in agreent, "What Lord Sha says is true. There are a few scattered incidents too, like the second eldest of the 'Jinan Five Tigers' being intercepted and killed by unknown persons at the Yellow River Crossing. The killer hasn't been found yet. The new abbot at Lao Mountain Qingxu Temple Lower Courtyard had a conflict with the local factions. Ultimately it was the Mystical Sect that intervened to settle it. And in the past month, strange occurrences have been reported on the Canal. It's said that a few grain ships sailing at night encountered water ghosts, terrifying the entire crew out of their wits..."
"These are all shadow-chasing rumors, but I noted them down for Young Hero Li as a reference."
Li Yan swiftly browsed through the remaining entries, all scattered records of gang conflicts, revenge killings, and unusual foreign figures, without any apparent direct connection for now.
He handed the thick scroll to Sha Lifei for a closer look, while he opened the thin scroll concerning Taishan.
Jin Ping's voice lowered further, "As for Taishan..."
"Young Hero Li, it's not that we are neglectful, but that place is unique. It's a significant site for the Mystical Sect and a place where emperors through the ages have offered sacrifices, with its own rules and laws. Even the Jinan Prefecture's governnt officers and scouts dare not casually approach Dai Zong Square, let alone penetrate the core areas filled with Taoist temples and palaces."
"Our Yan Sect's informants here can only scout the periphery."
She paused briefly to organize her thoughts, "But from the information we've gathered, there are three peculiarities."
"Firstly, the guard at the Dai Temple is much stricter than in previous years, with so unfamiliar Taoists on duty, and the pilgrimage rules for incense are also more stringent. Secondly, in the past two or three months, several old Taoists and temple priests with considerable reputation among the people, either claiming to be in seclusion or returning ho for retirent, have suddenly disappeared, replaced by new faces in key roles..."
"Thirdly, and most intriguingly, starting half a month ago, there's been talk in the inns and tea stalls around Dai Zong Town and Red Gate at the foot of Taishan. They say at night, sotis there's a rumbling sound like drumming or thunder emanating from deep within Taishan, causing window sashes to vibrate, as if sothing major is happening underground."
"So say it's the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals practicing martial arts, while others say it's the Taishan Lord in a rage... this matter is mysterious, with no proof, but it's widely talked about."
The Taishan Lord will be replaced!
Li Yan imdiately thought of the intelligence that Immortal Master Erlang had given him at the Two Realms Mountain in the Dharma Realm.
It seems there is indeed an issue above, but to clarify it, it seems necessary to make a personal trip.
Thinking of this, he gathered up the intelligence and looked at Jin Ping again, his expression grave, "There's one more thing. I didn't want to trouble you, but the matter is urgent..."
Saying this, he recounted the events, "How much does the Golden Swallow Sect know about this?"
Upon ntioning Manager Kong, Jin Ping's professional smile faded, showing so seriousness and hesitation to speak. She instinctively glanced at the door and gestured for the two maidservants to stand guard in the hallway outside.
Jin Ping's expression also turned solemn, "Young Hero Li, I do know sothing about this... but it's deep waters."
"Yan Sheng Gong's sudden death in the Kong Family's ancestral hall, with Manager Kong found unconscious nearby. Because witnesses in the ancestral hall testified that he had a major grudge with Yan Sheng Gong's grandson, Kong Shang'an, after the incident, people from Kong Shang'an's side imdiately accused Manager Kong of committing the murder in retaliation."
Li Yan lightly tapped his fingers on the table, "The feud indeed existed. But... simply because of this, to dare make a move inside the heavily guarded Kong Family ancestral shrine to kill the contemporary Yan Sheng Gong? That seems too far-fetched and reckless."
"And Manager Kong wasn't killed; is there soone else at play?"
"Young Hero Li, your insight is truly sharp."
Jin Ping nodded, glanced around, and sighed, "Actually, it's all about the position of Yan Sheng Gong!"
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