"You see, to the west should be Ancient Haojing. With the Dragon Head to the north, drinking from the Wei River, flowing down to here, its path is precisely intercepted by the terrain of Ancient Haojing. The Du Family building their residence on this land is like a Jade Bowl, catching the dripping dragon marrow."
"Even just a bit, it’s indeed a pri blessed land."
"That Daoist is impressive!"
The broker’s disciple quickly brown-nosed, "This Du Family was rather ordinary at first, their old house just within the town, but ever since they built this mansion, their fortunes have been improving year by year."
Wang Daoxuan shook his head, "Yes, but that’s bad news for us. Since they’ve acknowledged such an expert, we’re likely on a fruitless journey."
anwhile, Li Yan clenched his left hand, musing, "Let’s go and take a look first."
At that mont, the Hook Paper had suddenly reacted.
Though faint and fleeting, it had piqued his interest.
Could it be that there were hidden yin criminals here?
Approaching the mansion, everyone imdiately sensed sothing amiss.
With the end of the year approaching, families of such standing were all about preparations, bustling with the slaughtering of pigs and sheep, very busy.
But now, there were huge white lanterns hanging over the gate, with many mourners in white coming and going, casting a rather oppressive atmosphere.
"Who are you people?"
Before even drawing close, Du Family servants blocked the path, each ard with a blade or club, their expressions unfriendly.
The disciple of the broker hastily dismounted and ca forward with a fawning smile to greet them, "My lords, is Steward Wang around? Please inform him that Zhao Nine from Chang’an requests an audience."
The leading servant, originally sullen and ready to scold, held back at the ntion of Steward Wang’s na, only managing a cold snort, "Just wait here, and don’t wander off."
Having said that, he turned and headed towards the mansion.
As he walked, he muttered under his breath, "Cowards, the mont there’s a bit of trouble, a bunch of bastards start sniffing around, not one of them is any use..."
"Hey, you there!"
Sha Lifei was about to retort when he was stopped by Li Yan’s waving hand and slight shake of the head, indicating that he should hold his temper for now.
"Brother Yan, is there a problem?"
Sha Lifei imdiately understood and asked in a low voice.
He was well aware of Li Yan’s character: never one to let things slide, just not showing his prowess in the pugilistic world yet, otherwise, his notorious reputation as Ghostly Despair would have been known.
He was quick to speak his mind, but if Li Yan was truly irritated, he ant serious business.
There must be sothing unusual for him to be so reserved.
"Don’t rush, let’s see..."
Li Yan shook his head slightly, thoughtful.
Upon arriving, he had detected a peculiar sll, not of yin souls, but rather like sothing had spoiled and rotted, unpleasant to the nose.
Of course, the odor was very subtle, and ordinary people wouldn’t notice, perhaps even finding the air here fresh and pleasant.
Before long, an elder who looked like a steward hurriedly erged, dressed in mourning clothes and looking sowhat uneasy.
He hastily approached the broker disciple Zhao Nine and scolded him in a low voice, "What business do you have adding to the chaos here, causing to be rebuked?"
While speaking, he glanced at Li Yan and the others, noticing Wang Daoxuan’s Daoist robe, and his expression worsened, "Quickly take these people away, the matter has already been resolved."
"Hey, hey, hey..."
Zhao Nine was a disciple of the broker, well-versed in the art of persuasion whether with humans or ghosts, and not lacking in cheek compared to Sha Lifei. He wouldn’t leave easily, grabbing the steward and whispering, "Steward Wang, that’s not very honorable of you. These gentlen are among the most notable figures of Chang’an. I surely went to great lengths to invite them here."
"Do you know of the Fire Bear Gang? They suffered at these gentlen’s hands and didn’t dare to let out a peep. If you dismiss us just like this, you’re as good as signing my death warrant!"
His words, of course, were filled with exaggeration.
This was a typical tactic of brokers’ rhetoric.
If they really couldn’t secure the deal, they would at least extract so compensation for their efforts and travel, or at the very least, secure a favor owed.
Of course, he was also genuinely anxious.
On the night of the duel, he had been there. Although Li Yan and his companions were just making a na for themselves in the Mystical Sect, in his eyes, they were already significant figures, not to be taken lightly.
Steward Wang, seeing his expression, also felt a sudden jolt, quickly pulling Zhao Nine aside to speak in hushed tones before approaching Li Yan and the others, bowing and saying, "Gentlen, I truly apologize, but the matter has been resolved. In a few days, I will definitely visit Chang’an to offer a banquet and make ands."
The conversation had reached this point, and all hope was already lost.
Sha Lifei scoffed, "Well, let’s go then. They won’t even let us through the door, no point lingering around..."
Just then, Li Yan gestured behind his back.
"Hold on!"
Wang Daoxuan saw it and imdiately spurred his horse forward, looking towards the distant mansion while he stroked his beard and frowned, "The matter might not be over yet. Butler Wang, could you please inform Landlord Du that, if he truly believes this to be the end of the matter, then we will turn around and leave."
Butler Wang was startled, "Daoist, what do you an?"
"Ah~"
Wang Daoxuan shook his head slightly and sighed, "I simply cannot bear to leave it as is. I have said all I can, Butler Wang, please pass on the ssage. Whether to believe it or not is for Landlord Du to decide."
Seeing this, Sha Lifei also turned his eyes around in thought, "Daoist, you’re too kind-hearted. They’re ignoring us already, why bother with this?"
Actually, they didn’t know anything.
This was a predetermined secret signal between the three of them; if Li Yan discovered sothing amiss, he would imdiately make a sign, and the other two would cooperate to lay down the "Horse Tie."
Seeing the three of them like this, Butler Wang was also feeling uneasy, his eyes wavering, before he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Please wait a mont, gentlen; I will go and pass on the ssage right now."
As soon as he had left, that broker’s disciple, Zhao Jiu, imdiately gave a thumbs up, "Gentlen, that was skillful maneuvering."
The tactic of the "Horse Tie" might not be apparent to outsiders, but it couldn’t escape the notice of soone from the pugilistic world like him.
Wang Daoxuan also hastily whispered, "Did you notice anything?"
Li Yan shook his head, "Not yet, we must first get inside and see."
The three of them had received information that Landlord Du’s grandson had been struck by evil forces, and even several witches and wizards had been unable to help, with the boy still missing.
They had hoped to employ the influence of the Li family to enlist the help of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, but the Taixuan Orthodox Sect seed to be preoccupied with other important matters, their elite mbers all dispatched, including Luo Mingzi who had left overnight.
Having no other choice, Landlord Du had issued a substantial reward.
Li Yan possessed the sll superpower, and there was nothing he was more familiar with than tracking people, so he swiftly ca to evaluate the situation.
Landlord Du was a well-known wealthy household in Chang’an; if they could handle this, not only would they make a huge profit in ti for the New Year, but their reputation would be firmly established.
But now, it seed that there might be a change in the situation...
Before long, Butler Wang hurried back out, a red slap mark on his face, lanting and complaining, "Gentlen, you’ve really caused trouble. The master invites you in, but please do not act like the others before you."
Li Yan and the others exchanged glances, then handed over their horses to the Du family’s servants and entered the mansion, led by Butler Wang.
All the way, Li Yan walked with his hands behind his back at the head of the group.
Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei followed, keeping a vigilant eye on his hand signals.
If sothing was discovered, with a single sign, Wang Daoxuan would pay close attention and make deductions.
Both n had their shortcomings and needed each other’s cooperation.
However, what puzzled Wang Daoxuan was that Li Yan showed no signal at all, and as he observed the white cloths wrapped around the trees and the servants dressed in mourning clothes, he sighed in his heart.
It seed they were too late; the person was already gone...
Indeed, upon reaching the main hall, they found that a spirit hall had been set up, but the person mourned on the hanging obituary was the old madam of the Du family.
Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan exchanged glances.
Wasn’t it said that the grandson was bewitched? Why had the old one passed away?
Finally, they arrived in the main hall and saw Landlord Du.
However, Sha Lifei’s heart tightened with a sudden premonition of trouble.
At the top of the main hall sat an old man in mourning clothes, with white temples but a stalwart figure and formidable face – this was Landlord Du.
Several burly family guards were standing inside the hall, each radiating an aura of intense Evil Qi.
What was more concerning was that seated to the left, in the place of honor, was a white-robed Daoist, none other than Luo Faqing of the Magic Veins from Shang Mountain, who had failed in their supernatural duel previously.
He looked at them with a cold sneer in his eyes.
Landlord Du also had an unpleasant expression, bloodshot eyes, and he said sternly, "Since you all are from the pugilistic world, it’s normal to play this ’Horse Tie’ ga with Du.
"But if you cannot give a satisfactory explanation, you’re going to regret it today!"
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