Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 446 Intelligence War

During the meal, many guests had left downstairs.

Xiao Ran and the others didn't feel like continuing to eat here. In fact, they originally came here today to find out about the Zou family's strengths and weaknesses.

But who knew that a Cheng Yaojin would appear halfway? Huang Chao's actions finally vented Wancheng's anger.

Xiao Ran knew with his toes that tomorrow morning, rumors about him and Gao Yuting would be flying everywhere.

However, Xiao Ran was not angry. Instead, he was curious about how Huang Chao dared to come to Chang'an in such a high-profile manner.

It seems that this guy also came for this sword review, but if he just wanted to gain fame, he wouldn't have to do this, as his reputation is already bright enough.

So I'm afraid he came to Chang'an not just for the sword review.

We should find a way to find out what he is going to do first.

Therefore, after Xiao Ran followed Li Jie and others to leave the restaurant.

Xiao Ran asked them to go back first and he strolled around Chang'an City.

"You have to be careful. There are many experts in Chang'an City. If there is anything wrong, go to the nearest government office and send someone to deliver a letter to me. I will pick you up."

Li Jie gave Xiao Ran an idea for the first time.

It's not that he has changed his temper, but what Xiao Ran and Gao Yuting said at the dinner table finally made Li Jie realize that he was already in this vortex and it was unlikely that he would be able to jump off the boat midway.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to help Xiao Ran in a down-to-earth manner and let them help him at the same time, even if it means sending him to the border to be a military governor.

At least it is much better than my current situation.

"Don't worry, I'm leaving, and no one in this world can stop me."

After saying that, Xiao Ran quickly added to Gao Yuting: "Of course, except for you, my wife."

"Virtue, go early and return early."

Gao Yuting smiled and gave Xiao Ran a look. After signaling Xiao Ran to be careful, she got on the carriage and went back with the Second in Command and the others.

Only after the carriage went farther and farther away and disappeared among the crowd did Xiao Ran turn around.

Just as I was about to leave, I saw an old man squatting in the corner by the road, his head lowered and his whole body twitching.

Upon closer inspection, it was the old man who had been telling stories before.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran walked over and squatted down: "Uncle, what's wrong with you?"

The old storyteller didn't look up, but just sighed: "It's a bad fate. I got into trouble and was beaten out."

"type it out?"

Xiao Ran looked back at Hongbinlou behind him and said, "This matter has nothing to do with you. Even if Hongbinlou chases you away, your harvest today is enough for you to go back and live. Why do you have to stay here?"

"How can I do that? I pay three-tenths of the rent for the land, and I can only get a small portion of the reward money. I got into trouble today, and I have lost even this little money."

The old man sighed. Actually, being kicked out didn’t matter. The problem was that his fingers were broken, which would end his livelihood in the future.

Seeing the old man shaking his head and sighing, Xiao Ran reached out and took the old man's hand and took a look at the broken fingers.

Then he took out a piece of gold from the space, stuffed it into the old man's arms, stood up and left.

When the old man came to his senses and saw the piece of gold in his arms, his eyes widened and he quickly put the gold away. He looked around, but did not see Xiao Ran.

He put his hands together and looked up to the sky and said silently: "God bless me, God bless me!!"

In fact, the old man's hand injury was not serious, and Xiao Ran could sew it up using suture techniques.

At least it can ensure that life is not affected, but broken bones mean that you will not be able to do any heavy work in the future, let alone play clappers.

Xiao Ran simply decided not to sew it, but no matter what, the old man's two fingers were also affected by him. Xiao Ran thought about it and decided not to sew the fingers. It would be more cost-effective to use suturing technology to directly replace an arm.

Anyway, there are suturing techniques that can offset the effects of rejection, so there is no need to worry about the elderly having a rejection reaction in the future.

Walking along Suzaku Street, heading west.

Apart from the trip to Qin City in reality, this was also Xiao Ran's first time in Chang'an.

Walking on the streets of Chang'an, in these complex alleys and corridors, it is very easy for outsiders to get lost if there is no familiar local guide.

But when Xiao Ran glanced around, he noticed at a glance that the yin energy near the houses in front was much heavier than that of ordinary places.

As soon as I walked over to take a look, I saw a sign with the words "Amazing Pavilion" as I walked out of the corner of the street.

This place is quite nice. Although it is not a busy main street, it has a quiet environment. There are many ghosts nearby.

As Xiao Ran walked along, he saw five or six ghosts huddled in the corner. He even saw that when he went to the Amazing Pavilion, a ghost had already run in to report the news.

When Xiao Ran walked in, he found the shopkeeper was already standing at the counter waiting for him.

Standing next to him was the ghost who had just brought the news.

But the other party obviously treated him as a guest who came to the Surprise Pavilion to inquire about information.

Fortunately, the shopkeeper recognized Xiao Ran at a glance, glared at him, and hurriedly walked out from behind the counter.

"Boss, why did you come just now? I received news that you were already near Chang'an. I have been looking forward to seeing you for a long time, and finally you are here."

The shopkeeper was very excited to see Xiao Ran's expression. Xiao Ran had taught them the art of paper-folding in Ruzhou before. This not only reformed the profit model of Qiqi Pavilion, but he was also like a teacher in their hearts.

To a certain extent, Xiao Ran's status is no less than that of his old boss, and may even be better.

Xiao Ran glanced at the shopkeeper in front of him. He remembered that the shopkeeper was called Liu Bingxia.

When we were teaching the art of paper-folding before, this shopkeeper was the fastest learner.

He is in his early 45s, the youngest among all the shopkeepers of the Amazing Pavilion.

It's just that the shopkeeper looked energetic at that time, but after such a short time, he looked much older than before. "Shopkeeper Liu, it seems that you have a good relationship with the neighbors nearby."

The neighbor Xiao Ran mentioned was naturally not that person.

Shopkeeper Liu nodded and said, "Yes, these neighbors are nice and welcoming. Our store is doing well thanks to their support."

Although Shopkeeper Liu could not see ghosts, with the method taught by Xiao Ran, he finally found a way to communicate with them.

He was different from other shopkeepers in that he did not directly give money for guiding or burn incense as offerings.

It is more about heart-to-heart communication and helping these ghosts solve the things they cared about most in their lifetime.

For example, if there is an elderly mother at home who is worried about her, Manager Liu will often visit her, send some food and money, and help them to the best of his ability.

As time went by, word of mouth spread, and many ghosts came to deliver information to Shopkeeper Liu spontaneously.

There are countless officials and dignitaries in Chang'an City. The fact that Manager Liu can take care of everything shows that he is indeed outstanding.

"Are there any difficulties?"

Xiao Ran sat down and asked with a smile.

"Of course there are." Shopkeeper Liu then began to talk about his own difficulties.

Everything else is easy to deal with, except that there are too many ghosts. It was fine at the beginning, but after a long time, Shopkeeper Liu felt something was wrong.

First of all, it was terribly cold inside the Amazing Pavilion even in the hottest summer.

Shopkeeper Liu usually basked in the sun in the back hall. When guests came, he asked his neighbors for help and asked them to ring the bell. Only when he heard the bell would he come to the front hall.

It is said that this difficulty can be overcome, but as time goes by, Manager Liu feels that his health is getting worse and worse.

I couldn't tell what was wrong with me, but every other day I felt sick all over, either with a cold, a fever, or a rash all over my body.

He went to see a doctor, who said it was just a cold wind entering his body.

There was even a fortune teller who passed by here yesterday and said that this is the gate of hell and that people who live here will not live long.

Manager Liu has been worrying about this matter these past two days.

Xiao Ran was not surprised to hear this and could only blame himself.

You have to know that even on normal days, I wouldn't come into contact with these ghosts for no reason.

After all, I am a living person. In the words of my grandfather, living people are yang and ghosts are cold.

No matter how convenient ghosts are, they are also a combination of negative energy. Dealing with them frequently will put a considerable burden on your luck and body.

The method Xiao Ran taught them at the beginning was not the authentic Zhou family paper-folding technique, but something he had summarized and figured out on his own.

It would be weird if there is no problem.

"This problem is not difficult to solve. I will teach you a method later. You can gradually eliminate the negative impact."

"Really?"

Shopkeeper Liu was overjoyed when he heard this.

"Of course, I was short on time and had a lot of work to do before so I couldn't teach you too much. Now it's time to teach you some real skills."

Xiao Ran planned to pass on the Zhou family's paper-folding technique, but not to teach all the contents of the [Soul Crossing Sutra].

At least Xiao Ran doesn't plan to pass on the eight core techniques for the time being.

But behind the Soul Crossing Sutra there are techniques passed down by successive masters of the Zhou family. Although they are all derived from the Eight Techniques, they are enough to solve the predicament of Manager Liu and others.

We will take our time with what happens next, and the future Surprise Pavilion does not necessarily have to go too far in selling intelligence.

Once the maze city is completed and officially opened, the Wonderful Pavilion will retreat to Ruzhou and concentrate on running its business.

Afterwards, Manager Liu invited Xiao Ran into the study. Xiao Ran took a short rest in the study, sorted out his thoughts, took out a brush, and wrote down three spells.

A magic called [Send Yin Bridge]

This is a magic trick that every member of the Zhou family knows. After all, the Zhou family has dealt with ghosts a lot.

In order to prevent it from affecting my family, I specially developed this technique.

Every once in a while, they would build a bridge out of paper and hide their own hair and nails inside a paper man. After sending the paper man across the bridge, all the negative energy on the person would be sent to the paper man.

Then just burn it.

As for the influence in [Amazing Pavilion], it is even simpler for Xiao Ran. He can just use the art of Yan Sheng to create a Yan Sheng situation to release the evil and dispel the bad luck.

The other two techniques are called the Yin-Viewing Eyes, which can temporarily allow people to see ghosts.

The other one is called the art of calling out spirits, which is used by these shopkeepers for self-defense. In case an evil spirit with malicious intentions appears, this technique can be used to call out the opponent, which is a way to be prepared.

After writing it, Xiao Ran gave it to Shopkeeper Liu, asking him to burn it after learning it and not keep it.

As for the other shop owners, I will find opportunities to teach them slowly in the future.

Now that this matter has been resolved, it's time to get down to business.

Xiao Ran told Manager Liu about what happened to Huang Chao today. When he heard that Huang Chao dared to come to Chang'an alone and even challenge his boss, he was very angry.

"Boss, what are you going to do?" Shopkeeper Liu looked at Xiao Ran and asked.

"Simple!"

Xiao Ran's eyes flashed coldly: "He did it on the first day, so let's do it on the fifteenth. But before that, keep an eye on him. I want to know what he eats and drinks every day, when he goes to bed, who he's with, and even what kind of underwear he wears every day. Tell me."

Xiao Ran plans to let Huang Chao see what an intelligence war is!

(End of this chapter)