Mountain and sea lantern

Chapter 590 Qingbo Inn
Before the resurrected corpse, the old man personally examined it. After confirming that it was a resurrected zombie, he sniffed the surroundings and then beckoned a palace maid to ask, "Is this the same fragrance that Her Majesty usually uses in her residence?"

The palace maid shook her head decisively and said, "No, I've never smelled this fragrance before."

The old man's gaze fell again on the struggling corpse that was being held down, and he immediately made a judgment, muttering, "A deadly fragrance..."

He turned to the person next to him and said, "Go find a pharmacist to confirm the aroma."

Afterwards, they asked the man in black who had brought them earlier about the soul-binding bags. The man in black told them that the soul-binding bags contained souls, and this time they were not dogs, but all human souls.

The old man asked him, "Are you sure the soul trapped in that bag before was a dog?"

The man in black hurriedly said, "It may not be a dog, but its shape must resemble a dog."

The old man glanced at the resurrected corpse again and muttered to himself, "Could it be that the other party originally only wanted to resurrect a person, but didn't know that there were captured souls nearby, and didn't know that they would attract me here? Is it because of my sudden intervention that this place couldn't be cleaned up in time?"

He didn't know the specific principles behind the resurrection of the dead by the incense, but he had some guesses about it.

Upon hearing this, the man in black beside him quickly chimed in, "Right Sage's insight is brilliant; it is indeed possible."

The old man glanced at him. If it was truly possible to clean up the mess without being exposed, was the strange situation in the Queen's room really just a one-off occurrence? Had no one noticed anything unusual before? He didn't dare to delve any further into this line of thought.

Therefore, let's follow the Queen's instructions and investigate first, and then decide what to do next.

Before long, two people shrouded in black cloaks arrived. These people, who possessed demonic eyes and cultivated demonic arts, were not to be openly summoned. The old man ordered everyone to leave and turn their backs to him, forbidding them from looking back.

The two, having activated their magic eyes, began to thoroughly investigate the house, both inside and out. Their investigation only made things worse; they were completely baffled.

The energy that is being tracked is not in different forms. In the vision of the Demon Eye, it is actually a kind of gaseous form. Most people's energy characteristics are not much different, unless they are different species.

If there is a path to follow, it's good to lock onto the feature for tracking.

However, there was no consistent energy flow at the scene. In such a small area, people were coming and going, and everything was mixed together. No one could tell who was who.

The room was in complete chaos, and the energy outside was even more tangled and chaotic, making even the demonic eye dizzy.

What to do? The only option is to back down.

After hearing the two reports, the old man hesitated and said, "Can't you tell the difference by comparing the energy inside the house with that of the people outside?"

A cloaked figure said, "Right Saint, things have become confused. If those present hadn't gone in to interfere when the incident occurred, and had instead sent us over to check, it would have been much easier to pinpoint the key features."

The old man glanced at him sideways, thinking to himself, "Isn't that obvious? If something's amiss, the first thing to do is search. How would anyone know what happened if we don't go in and search?"

Another cloaked figure chimed in, "It's like asking us to find the water that was just poured into the porridge and stirred in; we really can't do that. However, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

The old man said, "Your opinions are very important, so please speak freely."

The cloaked man pondered and said, "There is another way to compare. If the perpetrator is no longer here and has left the scene, we can compare the people at the scene and perhaps find out who left within the corresponding time period. Of course, this does not prove that the person who left is the perpetrator."

The cloaked figure who spoke first added, "If we're going to have a contest, we have to be quick. If it goes on for too long, the energy will dissipate, and then we won't be able to compete anymore."

The old man's eyes flickered as he said, "In other words, if no one else's aura is detected besides those present, then the perpetrator is still at the scene, hiding among these people?"

Neither of the cloaked figures responded to these words. They didn't want to talk about having an inside traitor, but that was the gist of it. And it was obvious right now that if it wasn't an insider, who would have the ability to break in here? The royal court was protected by an extraordinary array, and even experts who could shatter the void couldn't ignore its existence.

The old man thought for a moment and then decisively said, "We'll compare and investigate according to your wishes!"

In a forest in the capital of Dongsheng, Shi Chun emerged from the passage between the two worlds. After seeing the distant view of the Heavenly Court buildings soaring into the sky, he breathed a sigh of relief and then turned around to summon Wu Jinliang from the other side.

Wu Jinliang, referring to the locations of the landmark buildings in the capital, roughly knew his location and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "It shouldn't be too far from home. Do you see that lake? We should be able to get home after crossing a few hills. Thank goodness, thank goodness, we don't have to try those soul-binding bags from the royal court anymore. It seems that the ones sent to Shen Moming were not discovered."

Shi Chun scoffed, "If the one sent to Young Master Nan could be discovered, it would be strange if the one sent to Shen Moming wasn't discovered, unless Young Master Nan betrayed us on his own initiative."

Wu Jinliang thought about it and agreed.

Shi Chun: "We can't stay in this capital for long. Let's change our appearance and leave through the Xun Gate."

"Sigh." Wu Jinliang sighed. The two of them had originally planned to make a public appearance after returning, wanting to go home and have some fun with Duan Xiangmei, and to meet with Young Master Nan to see if any new courtesans had come. Who knew that Wang Ting would cause such a mess.

After disguising themselves, the two left the mountain. They hitched a ride, but neither dared to ride in the same vehicle. They traveled separately and arrived at the Xunmen Central Hub of the capital city one after the other.

After observing from the shadows, they found nothing unusual in the Xunmen area, so they paid the tolls one by one and separated to reach Beiju Luzhou through the Xunmen.

The reason they acted separately was because Wu Jinliang's height was quite noticeable.

The reason they came to Beiju Luzhou was because the Lian Tian Sect was located within Beiju, and the two still had to carry out the original plan regarding Dong Liangyi's apprenticeship.

However, the plan has changed, and they no longer dare to openly approach the mountain.

The reason is simple: if something secretly sent to Young Master Nan could be discovered, then perhaps everyone connected to him, Shi Chun, is being watched, since there aren't many people connected to him.

After arriving directly in the capital of Beiju through the Xun Gate, the two, without having time to admire the prosperity of the capital, turned back through the Xun Gate and arrived at Yanzhou, which is also the location of the Lian Tian Sect.

The two left through the Xun Gate and found a corner. Shi Chun took out the Mother-Child Talisman and, while sending a message to Situ Gu, muttered, "Don't worry about Situ Gu's Mother-Child Talisman falling into other people's hands. Not many people dare to touch this old guy." Wu Jinliang teased, "You're about to see Zhen'er, who's always chattering away with you. Aren't you excited?"

Shi Chun scoffed, "Do you think I'm like you? I don't plan to see her. If I do, I'm afraid I won't be able to get away. I'll just meet with Situ Gu."

"Sigh." Wu Jinliang stroked his chin and clicked his tongue. "She's quite pretty, it's really strange that she's clinging to you but not me..."

The two waited and waited, but Situ Gu did not reply to the message for a long time. They found it strange. If the mother and child talisman had fallen into someone else's hands, he would not have stopped replying. It was possible that something had happened and he had not noticed.

So Shi Chun would send a message every now and then.

But there has been no response.

Wu Jinliang expressed his doubts, "Spring, could it be that you're too low-class and they just threw away your mother-and-child talisman?"

Shi Chun hesitated and said, "It's also possible that the person is not in Yanzhou. Let's go and check the situation at the Lian Tian Sect."

The two then sought out the Xun Gate again to change locations.

Unlike ordinary sects, the Lian Tian Sect has a direct Xun Gate at the foot of its mountain, and once you leave, you are in Lian Tian City, which is controlled by the Lian Tian Sect.

Backed by the number one weapon-refining sect in the cultivation world, the city's prosperity goes without saying.

Looking around, Wu Jinliang suddenly sighed, "I wonder what Wukang Mountain has become like."

This reminder also reminded Shi Chun of the Xun Gate on Wukang Mountain, which he had personally helped to acquire. It should have been built long ago, but they hadn't gone back to see it yet.

Unlike other famous mountains and rivers, the terrain of the Lian Tian Sect is not towering high. Instead, it is located at a lower elevation, so the sect's location cannot be seen from within the city.

After making inquiries, the two found out that they had taken a boat out of the city.

The area has a well-developed water system, with waterways within the city, allowing visitors to take boat tours of the scenery inside and outside the city. The outer perimeter of the Lian Tian Sect is also open to tourists.

The crystal-clear blue water and aquatic plants make people feel as if they are in a painting. The boatman, with a human head and a snake's body, lies on the stern and pushes the boat by swinging his tail. The speed is controlled by the people, and he can also chat with the tourists.

Shi Chun and his companion had intended to inquire about the Lian Tian Sect after the atmosphere had become more relaxed, but before they could even speak, the boatman, who was leaning over the stern and wagging his black tail in the water, spoke up first, "You two may not know, but the Heavenly Palace is going to be repaired. News has spread from the Lian Tian Sect that the Heavenly Palace is going to be repaired, and they have summoned experts from the ten major sects of the weapon-refining world to a banquet to discuss the repair plan. It seems that most of the Lian Tian Sect's high-ranking members have gone."

Shi Chun and Wu Jin exchanged a glance, and the latter asked, "Did that number one weapon refiner in the world go?"

The boatman laughed and said, "How could we know the specifics of these matters? But for such a major undertaking as repairing the Heavenly Palace, it would be impossible for him not to go, would it?"

Wu Jinliang: "Repairing the Heavenly Palace is a major undertaking. If we go there, it might not be easy for us to come back."

The boatman said, "Repairs haven't started yet. I heard they've only begun discussions. How could small fry like us know the details? Esteemed guests, it's almost evening. Would you like to stay in the city or at an inn on one of the islands?"

Wu Jinliang did not make a decision on this matter and looked to Shi Chun.

Shi Chun looked around at the mountains and rivers of the Lian Tian Sect on one side, "Then let's find an inn on the island to see the scenery at night. We don't like noise, so take us to a quiet inn."

Actually, it was to avoid being exposed and not wanting to settle in crowded or conspicuous places.

As I said before, once the things sent to Young Master Nan are exposed, I'm afraid there will be people watching Situ Gu's side as well.

"Alright, I know an inn that's not only secluded but also quite nice." The boatman readily agreed, wagging his tail even more vigorously in the water.

The ship's speed increased significantly as it pushed through the waves.

After navigating through the interwoven waterways, we arrived at a water island with flower fields. We moored our boats by the dock, and wisps of smoke rose from the quiet, secluded inns on the island as the sun set.

very quiet.

The boatman disembarked and conjured up bare feet to lead the way. Before even entering the inn, he called out, "Old Jin, I've brought you guests. Come and greet them!"

The signboard above the inn reads "Qingbo".

As soon as the three of them arrived, the innkeeper, a middle-aged man, appeared.

Upon seeing the visitor, the shopkeeper gave a wry smile, cupped his hands in apology, and said, "Old Hei, it's really unfortunate today, our shop is full."

He stepped aside and gestured to the inside of the hall, letting them see for themselves.

There were indeed quite a few miscellaneous guests sitting inside.

The boatman was taken aback; he had deliberately chosen a secluded spot, but it was already full. This incident caused quite a stir.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged a glance, both sensing something was amiss. It wasn't that the inn was full—they didn't know the situation here, or if it was usually full—but rather that the inn seemed unusually quiet.

Shi Chun immediately activated his right eye's special ability to survey the entire inn. As soon as he saw the group of guests in the inn, his eyelids started twitching involuntarily. He discovered that several of the guests possessed demonic energy.

(End of this chapter)