He spoke while rising, politely escorting Li Yan and the others to the temple gate.
Watching Li Yan and his group's backs disappear at the long street's corner, the smile on Zhang Jingqing's face slowly faded, becoming deep and inscrutable.
Behind him, the Taoist apprentice who had just registered couldn't help but step forward and whisper, "Master, they refused, what should we do?"
Zhang Jingqing's gaze was distant as he looked at the majesty of Jinling's city walls in the distance, humming softly, "What do you understand? Rejection is better."
The apprentice was stunned, "Huh? Why?"
"A tall tree attracts the wind."
Zhang Jingqing stroked his beard, his voice calm, "The na of the Twelve Primordial Spirits is so well-known that in Jiangnan, Maoshan, Lushan, and those old foxes in the Tiger Gate, who wouldn't be wary of them?"
He paused, a gleam flashed in his eyes, "Moreover, they're too tightly bound to the Lin Family. Across Jiangnan, there are many forces eager for the Lin Family to fall and to feast on this piece of fat at!"
"When the wall collapses, everyone pushes. The Lin Family has hit the knife's edge this ti, and those forces have been waiting too long for this chance, how could they allow others to intervene easily?"
Suddenly enlightened, the apprentice said, "So, Master, you are..."
"No rush."
"The 'rightful' plaque of the City God Temple, they'll find it useful..."
...…
Leaving the City God Temple, it was already afternoon.
The sky was laden with lead clouds, a damp cold autumn wind brushed their faces, carrying Jinling City's unique chill.
Most shops on the long street had closed doors and windows, and occasional pedestrians were hasty, their expressions anxious, only patrol soldiers passed by, the sound of armor and weapons clashing was stark in the silence.
"Tsk, tsk, can't rely on the City God Temple."
Sha Lifei rubbed his hands, sneering in a low voice, "That Zhang temple priest spoke politely, actually wanting to use us as a tool, while avoiding giving solid benefits."
"As expected," Li Yan responded calmly, "Dragon and Tiger Mountain can barely look after itself, it's good enough for Zhang Jingqing to keep the temple doors from falling. Depending on him to help us rescue Fatty Lin is unrealistic. The utmost priority is to find a stable place to sort things out."
"Should we go to the Jinzhou Chamber of Comrce?" Long Yan'er suggested, "We've collaborated a lot with Jin rchants in salt and dicinal materials, our relationship is decent. Their shops are widespread from north to south, and their information is well-inford."
She preferred cleanliness, of all places she's been to from north to south, the Chamber of Comrce was the most comfortable. With trouble at the Lin Family, Jiangsu and Zhejiang were inaccessible, so the Jinzhou Chamber of Comrce beca the best choice.
"Mm." Li Yan nodded, "Alright, let's go to the Jinzhou Chamber of Comrce."
The Jinzhou Chamber of Comrce's Jinling branch was located near the South Canal Wharf, with a grand courtyard, spacious entrance, unmistakably showcasing the Jin rchants' substantial wealth.
Upon hearing that Li Yan of the Twelve Primordial Spirits had arrived, Manager Wang of the Chamber personally greeted them, beaming with enthusiasm, leading them into the elegant inner hall, serving fragrant tea and snacks, inquiring about their well-being thoroughly.
"Ah, ah! Young Hero Li, distinguished guests, your visit brings glory to our humble establishnt! Please take a seat, please sit! You must be weary from the journey? We've heard about the Yangzhou affair, Young Hero Li's act of eliminating harm for the people is truly gratifying!" Manager Wang grinned broadly, his words poured forth like firecrackers.
"Manager Wang is too kind..."
Upon reaching a secluded spot, Li Yan directly inquired about the Lin family's upheaval, wanting to learn about recent movents in Jinling City to see if they could rescue people.
Upon hearing this, Manager Wang's smile froze montarily then beca smooth and ambiguous, "This... Oh dear, Mr. Li, your queries stump my humble self."
Manager Wang patted his thigh, looking troubled, "We're business people, we abide by the law, only dealing with daily goods and north-south transportation. The political tumult and those violent cases... we truly know nothing about, neither daring nor able to inquire! Court matters have court rules, we small rchants dare not discuss recklessly."
He sighed again, adding, "As for Mr. Lin... Alas, a calamity from the blue! We just heard, truly shocked! The Lin Family has always been proper rchants, how could... Alas, it must be a misunderstanding!"
"But rest assured, Young Hero Li, the court will make a fair judgnt! What we can do at the Chamber of Comrce is quickly check the accounts with the Lin Family to ensure clarity, to avoid any implication, it's just... beyond our capacity, beyond our capacity!"
He bowed repeatedly, his words watertight.
Li Yan squinted slightly but didn't press further.
The Jin rchants were known for being shrewd and pragmatic, prioritizing self-preservation; despite their cooperation, they wouldn't dare involve themselves in such a vortex involving multiple forces.
Seeing they didn't question further, Manager Wang breathed a sigh of relief, warmly arranging a few spacious clean rooms, instructing the kitchen to prepare a refined feast, the service truly impeccable.
Yet beneath this thorough service was a clear sense of boundary.
"Cowardly." Sha Lifei stood by the window, watching the flickering torch lights of patrol soldiers outside, muttering, "Neither the City God Temple nor the Jinzhou Chamber of Comrce dares provoke, it seems the forces behind the scenes are significant."
Dong! Dong! Dong!
At that mont, there was a soft knock on the door.
A chamber attendant entered respectfully carrying a brocade box, "Young Hero Li, soone left this at the door just now, specifically for you."
Sha Lifei stepped forward, took the brocade box, and opened it, inside was only a deep purple invitation card with a Golden Swallow dark pattern.
The card's vigorous strokes wrote:
"Golden Swallow spreads wings at Zhongfu, an old friend awaits with new tea for you to taste.
At 7:45 PM, 'Qiyuan Building' by the Qinhuai River, chak mat prepared.
——Murong Yan, the Squad Leader of Golden Swallow Sect's Jinling Branch"
Beneath the card, was a small golden swallow token, the highest inviting emblem of the Golden Swallow Sect.
Everyone looked at Li Yan.
Once the attendant left, Sha Lifei chuckled, "The Golden Swallow Sect sure has a keen sense, we just arrived in Jinling, in less than two hours, they sent an invitation."
Wang Daoxuan's face was solemn, "In Jinling City, distinguishing friend from foe is difficult, with a powerful figure behind it, trust in the Golden Swallow Sect should be cautious."
Li Yan nodded, looked out the window, and said coldly:
"No worries, I'll go to the appointnt, you all stay outside as support."
"No matter what, let's first get Fatty Lin and the rest out, anyway, with our reputation, if we truly anger them, then no one should have it easy!"
......
By 7:45 PM, Qinhuai River was soaked in the sticky night.
This famous Qinhuai River is divided into inner and outer rivers.
The Outer Qinhuai River is the moat, flowing around the outside of Jinling City's walls, serving defense and flood discharge functions, it does not directly pass through the city.
The Inner Qinhuai River, however, flows from east to west through the southern urban area of Jinling City.
Along the banks are "river houses," unique buildings of Jinling.
These houses are mostly two stories, the lower level opens to water with "Water Gates," directly connecting to painting boats. The upper level features curved railings, nad "Beauty Leans," where people can lean and view the river.
River houses hang "sheep horn lamps," a type of lantern with transparent thin plates made from sheep horn, more moisture-resistant and brighter than paper lamps, either hung under carved window fras or along the water's vermilion railings.
One by one, they spread along the riverbank like a string of stretched stars.
Li Yan stood at the stern of the black canopy boat, listening to the sound of the boatman's wooden oars splitting water, looking at the lights on the banks like stars, Wu songs occasionally drifted to his ears, he couldn't help but slightly shake his head.
It's no wonder so many poets and scholars are lost in Qinhuai's charms.
But now, with war clouds looming, Qinhuai continues its revelry, truly speechless, if we're not careful, the present prosperity will beco ruins.
"Sir, ahead is Qiyuan Building."
The old boatman pointed to the left front, interrupting Li Yan's thoughts.
He looked up and saw among the lights reflected in Qinhuai River, a two-story embroidered building standing by the water, large in scale, with a high-hung vermilion plaque, Kuishi stone lantern on either side flickered, extending and twisting the shadows of guests.
Inside, silk music and laughter mixed with the warm scent of makeup flowing out, lanterns under the eaves swayed in the night wind.
Compared to the brothels around, it was clearly a higher class.
Li Yan didn't care, the Golden Swallow Sect was known for mixing in the circles of high officials and notable figures, if the venue was poor, those dignitaries wouldn't bother coming.
Yet as they got closer, Li Yan frowned.
The Hook Paper suddenly started heating up!
His gaze cooled, closing his eyes then swiftly reopening, displaying surprise.
This place indeed hides a yin criminal, but the identity was sowhat unexpected.
It was the immortal Zhou Yinyao who mysteriously disappeared in Yangzhou City...
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