The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1342 - 695: The Blood Night Never Ends (Part 2)

"The sky is falling—brothers, draw your weapons, flash the signal! Set up the incense hall before Yama Hall, hand over the life-and-death post if you're brothers!"

The man with gold inlaid teeth changed his expression dramatically and shouted as he tried to flee.

Zhang Tiankui had taken people and escaped, and the experts in the gang all went to pursue and kill him, so Kong Hui couldn't be bothered to remind them.

Only now did he realize that the matter had been exposed.

These pugilistic world slangs were signals that there was no turning back, a fight to the death.

Unfortunately, he had only taken two steps when the experts from the Captain Bureau threw an iron chain, wrapping it around his neck, dragging him into the formation like a dead dog, and tying him up like a sausage.

Clang!

At the same time, the doors and windows at the top of the warehouse were all smashed open, and dozens of black gun barrels poked out.

In an instant, gunfire sounded like thunder, and smoke filled the air.

The incense hall of the "Iron Anchor Association" had long become a den of thieves, and even if they didn't know about Wang She's secret dealings, they often disguised as water bandits for robbery and child trafficking. Now that trouble had come, the gang members fought like trapped beasts.

However, the ordinary firearms in their hands were no match for the more than twenty Divine Fire Guns of the Captain Bureau.

After a round of volley fire, the thick brick walls of the warehouse had a size-of-washbasin hole, and the load-bearing wooden beams shattered and flew everywhere.

The entire building swayed as if it would collapse at any moment.

Those risking their lives to try to break out either had their legs broken by lead bullets or were dragged back by iron hooks and chains, bound like a sausage.

In less than half an incense time, this den of thieves that had latched on for years was uprooted.

"Sir, we found something!" an investigating constable suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone rushed over and saw dozens of young boys and girls curled up in the cargo container, each with ashen faces, already suffocated to death.

"Beast!" Luo Mingzi's eyes were bloodshot, and he shouted harshly, "Bring them all back to the prison; we must get to the bottom of this tonight! Also, summon Luo Gongseng from the Iron Anchor Association to see this officer immediately!"

Orders were given like thunder, ensuring yet another sleepless night.

But Li Yan and the others could not hide their disappointment.

Aside from these trafficked children, they still couldn't find any traces of the Jianmu Organization...

......

In the rear hall of the "Rouyuan Post" inn, candlelight flickered, illuminating the solemn faces of everyone.

Kong Shangzhao gently stroked the teacup on the desk, speaking in a deep voice, "You all know our Confucian school's magic method emphasizes the cultivation of vast righteous Qi. Whether practicing martial arts or self-cultivation or ritual ceremonies, the core is a right heart. Although Kong Hui was born from the Kong family, he has fallen into the evil Dao..."

He rubbed his temples and continued, "This man was once one of the Northern Song's Ten Grandmasters and even esteemed as the Imperial Tutor. According to records from the Kong family's archives in Qufu, he later infiltrated the ancestral temple and burned many archives, leaving only some fragmented scripts recording his evil techniques."

"He inverted Zhu Xi's doctrine of 'extinguishing human desire to preserve heavenly principle,' creating the evil skill of 'planting human desire and eroding heavenly principle.' Using the Eight Sufferings as a base, he twisted Confucianism's righteous path into the evil Dao, known as 'Yinwen Eight Pieces.'

"The step just now was called the 'Funeral Chariot Step,' placing the Nine Palace Steps in funeral positions, confusing opponents with the three transformations of 'Funeral Initiation, Soul Summoning, Burial,' which was renowned for its extraordinary movement technique back in the day."

Li Yan furrowed his brow, "Does he have any weaknesses?"

Kong Shangzhao shook his head, "No known weaknesses. However...since he drives martial arts with evil thoughts, perhaps the vast righteous Qi of the Confucianism could counter it."

Wang Daoxuan had a serious expression, "This demon is not easy to deal with. Could it be him whom Old Man Wu said attacked the living Yin messengers?"

"It's hard to say."

Li Yan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "The living Yin messengers were attacked after the fifteenth of the first month. Kong Hui was active in Cangzhou prior, plotting for the Jizhou Tripod, so the timeline doesn't quite match, but we can't rule it out either."

"There's another matter." Kong Shangzhao suddenly lowered his voice, "Kong Hui is not only proficient in Confucianism but also skilled in Feng Shui Creation. Back in the day, many local temple renovations invited him to oversee the construction."

This matter, everyone naturally knew.

The Shangqing Palace Great Hall on Mang Mountain was precisely tampered with by him.

As they were speaking, Long Yan'er came, wiping her hands, "The young man has awakened."

Everyone immediately got up and went to the adjacent room.

Inside the room, "son of a bitch" had already been bandaged and applied with herbal medicine.

Long Yan'er's medical skills far surpassed Wang Daoxuan, and she had now become a doctor among the Twelve Primordial Spirits.

"Son of a bitch" was all external injuries, naturally, it posed no difficulty for her.

Looking at Li Yan's face, "son of a bitch" breathed a sigh of relief before beginning to cry, "They killed Old Crooked Mouth. I searched the city for you, couldn't find you, and went looking for Old Man Wu, but as soon as I got there, Iron Anchor Association's people captured me."

"They beat me, wanting to know Old Man Wu's whereabouts."

Listening to the account, Li Yan understood the context and gently sighed, "I didn't anticipate their having so many spies in the city; rest assured, I will ensure Old Crooked Mouth is properly laid to rest, and after resolving this matter, I'll find a position for you."

The dead cannot be revived; he could only do this much.

"Son of a bitch" nodded, exhaustion and unhealed injuries taking their toll, and fell into a deep sleep...

......

After a night of chaos, by noon the next day, Luo Mingzi returned to Rouyuan Post.

"We got the confessions."

He handed a few sheets of paper to Li Yan and spoke in a deep voice, "Those gang members are just foolish pawns, only aware of Wang She's generous payments, knowing little about Jianmu events..."

"That gold-toothed enforcer was responsible for dirty work in the 'Iron Anchor Association,' and according to his confession, he regularly abducted boys and girls under Wang She's orders. We previously misjudged the direction, focusing our attention on the West Traveling Beggar Gang..."

"The head of the 'Iron Anchor Association' came to me, claiming ignorance of Wang She's dealings, and is now sending people to search the city."

Li Yan spoke coldly, "And with just a missed oversight, they think they can easily brush off the matter?"

Luo Mingzi hesitated, shaking his head, "I can only do so much."

"Iron Anchor Association's Luo Gongseng is one of Yan King Xiao Jinglie's people, and he is a disciple of Divine Fist Association's Huo Yin. Reporting this to the Emperor might not bring the whole Iron Anchor Association to justice, and it might even invite enemies."

He sighed, "That's the Capital; always restrained, handling affairs is impossible without caution. We should focus on important things, and avoid those people."

With those words, Li Yan understood immediately.

The Emperor had not designated an heir for years, and the princes were fiercely contending against each other.

This year, due to health issues, the Crown Prince was finally appointed.

However, the Crown Prince is reportedly timid and stubborn, not favored by the Emperor.

Thus, the fight for the throne might not conclude soon.

They're not mixing in the court, so there's no need to get involved in such matters.

After some instructions, Luo Mingzi left in a hurry.

The Prince Ying Mansion's affairs hadn't concluded, and "Iron Anchor Association" had now stirred such a situation.

Though gains were made, ever since Li Yan entered the Capital, Luo Mingzi was so busy he hadn't slept soundly for days and nights.

After his departure, others were speechless.

"Forget it."

Sha Lifei shook his head and said, "This Capital is troublesome; nothing can be done, and even investigating a case requires constant caution. Since the court has dispatched experts, let's leave it to them to worry."

"Easier said than done."

The usually reticent Lv San suddenly spoke, "We can't easily evade this matter. Do you know why Kong Hui appeared last night? I've thought through the reason."

"The Jianmu Demons we've encountered, whether Lu Sheng or that Beimang Ghost Emperor, all possess the 'Earth Official's Absolution of Sins Treasure Decree.'

"I suspect last night he plotted to lure Brother Yan away, using the 'Earth Official's Absolution of Sins Treasure Decree' to drive off the Yin Bureau soldiers. With his skill, Brother Yan would be in peril, and Zhao Qingxu might be lurking nearby."

"Once Brother Yan leaves, who could stop this demon?"

The words caused everyone to be silent.

If Lv San's guess was accurate, they were lucky not to have someone die last night.

Li Yan placed those intelligence reports on the table and said seriously, "San is right; we must take the initiative."

"I'll head out now, and you all stay in the post and don't go wandering around."

With that, he stood up and walked out.

It was another sunny day today, with the noon sun blindingly bright.

Li Yan took a token out from his pocket and examined it carefully.

This was the token given by the "Golden Swallow Sect."

Perhaps this powerful intelligence organization could help him find the whereabouts of Kong Hui and Zhao Qingxu…