Chapter 1637: Ruyi Workshop

The Embroidered Envoys maintained dedicated communication channels. Lower-ranking envoys relied on post stations and carrier pigeons, while Gold-rank Embroidered Envoys could transmit information through their gold plaques, much like pagers from a previous life.

However, there were limitations: the amount of information that could be transmitted each time was limited, and each transmission consumed a significant amount of resources. This channel was strictly reserved for urgent matters.

Zu An read the message, which Zhang Zitong had sent him through the local Embroidered Envoy channels in Yijun. Since Gold-rank No. 7 had died unexpectedly, her status was now the highest within the entire local Embroidered Envoy system in Yijun. Although activating such a channel might not have strictly followed protocol, it was not difficult for her to accomplish.

The message roughly stated that they had discovered Mr. Huo would be leaving the Prince's Mansion that night. Zhang Zitong wanted to seize this opportunity to capture him and interrogate him for information regarding the death of Gold-rank No. 7. As she couldn't locate Zu An directly, she had resorted to this method to inform him.

Zu An was speechless, wondering where Zhang Zitong got the confidence to capture Mr. Huo. Had she not learned her lesson from their last encounter?

Nevertheless, he recognized this as a genuine opportunity. Previous investigations had shown that Mr. Huo usually remained confined within the Yan King's Mansion, rarely venturing out. His rare appearance made it understandable why Zhang Zitong couldn't resist.

He therefore found Zhang Zijiang and Xie Daoyun, gave them a few instructions, and then quietly descended the mountain. After a full day of the Grand Daoist Competition, dusk had gradually fallen, so there was no fear of being discovered.

Leaving the vicinity of Mount Zi, he rode his Wind-Fire Wheels towards Yijun.

On Mount Zi, Master Jianhuang opened his eyes and gazed at a faint streak of firelight fading into the distant sky. "A falling meteor, a sign of great ill omen," he murmured. "The world is indeed changing fast."

Just then, a small, bright bald head peered in from outside. "A sign of big breasts? Master, are you talking about Miss Pei from Biluo Palace?"

Infuriated, Master Jianhuang grabbed his wooden fish and swung it at the boy's head. "You're punished to copy the Heart Sutra a hundred more times!"

"But you said it yourself!" the young monk Jiese protested, clutching his head as he fled. This only provoked more ferocious blows.

Zu An flew without pause, arriving in Yijun shortly thanks to the speed of his Wind-Fire Wheels.

He headed directly to the Embroidered Envoys' secret stronghold, where he found several individuals preparing their equipment, clearly getting ready for a confrontation.

Zhang Zitong, however, was an exception. She wasn't wearing her usual embroidered robes or night-traveling attire. Instead, she was dressed very lightly, her thighs and slender waist subtly visible. A tasseled veil covered her face, and her clothing was adorned with shimmering pendants, making her resemble a dancer from the Western Regions, like those Zu An had seen online in his previous life.

Xiao Jianren and the other Embroidered Envoys couldn't help but glance at her. Clearly, her attire was extremely distracting for them.

Upon his arrival, the individuals inside were startled. "Greetings, Lord Eleven!" they exclaimed.

Zhang Zitong mused that he was always so unpredictable, his cultivation level immeasurable.

Zu An surveyed the room, observing that Xiao Jianren and the others were also fully prepared. He frowned slightly, then asked Zhang Zitong, "Didn't you learn your lesson from nearly dying in the Yan King's Mansion last time?"

Zhang Zitong bit her lip, a stubborn expression on her face. "Last time, I was indeed reckless, but this time is different. He's alone, so we can ambush him with numerical superiority. If we miss this opportunity, who knows when we'll get another lead on Lord No. 7's case. I asked them for their help, so I hope Lord Eleven won't blame them."

Zu An snorted coldly. "I've dealt with Mr. Huo before. Even if you outnumber him, you'll likely just be throwing your lives away."

Zhang Zitong's face paled. She opened her mouth to protest but then hesitated, clearly intimidated.

Zu An then asked, "Where is Mr. Huo going this time when he leaves the mansion?"

Zhang Zitong's expression was a bit strange. At this point, Xiao Jianren, who was standing nearby, interjected, "He's going to the city's largest Ruyi Pavilion today."

"Why isn't he going to the Xiaoyao Tower?" Zu An asked, curious. The name Ruyi Pavilion clearly suggested a pleasure quarter, and he knew the Xiaoyao Tower was considered the best establishment of its kind in Yijun.

However, he quickly realized that there seemed to be some tension between the Yan King and the Xiaoyao Tower. It was therefore normal for Mr. Huo, as a guest retainer of the Yan King's Mansion, to avoid it.

"He hasn't made a move in so long. Why is he suddenly going to Ruyi Pavilion this time? Is it a trap?" Zu An pressed. They had put a lot of effort into investigating Mr. Huo previously; if he enjoyed visiting pleasure houses, they would have discovered it long ago, not just now.

Xiao Jianren's expression subtly betrayed anger. "Because that old man has peculiar tastes. He prefers... younger girls, and Ruyi Pavilion just acquired a fresh batch recently."

"Scumbag!" Zhang Zitong couldn't help but curse.

Upon hearing this, Zu An glared at Zhang Zitong. "The imperial court explicitly forbids such practices! What exactly have you Embroidered Envoys of Yijun been doing?"

Zhang Zitong looked somewhat ashamed. "When Lord No. 7 was alive, investigations were strict. But with his unexpected death, the entire Embroidered Envoy system in Yijun has stagnated somewhat, and Ruyi Pavilion also has some powerful connections..."

Zu An took a deep breath. "After we apprehend old man Huo this time, we'll also seal off Ruyi Pavilion."

"Yes!" Zhang Zitong exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. With a Gold-rank Embroidered Envoy supporting them, they naturally had no more reservations.

After a moment, she suddenly realized, "Is Lord Eleven going to act personally as well?"

Zu An retorted, clearly annoyed, "If I don't act, are you, a dignified Imperial Silver-rank Embroidered Envoy, going to pose as a dancer and seduce him?"

Zhang Zitong's face flushed. That had indeed been her plan.

Xiao Jianren immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "With Lord Eleven taking action, success is assured."

"Enough flattery. Quickly tell me the details," Zu An snorted.

"Let me explain; I'm more familiar with the situation in Yijun..." Zhang Zitong leaned closer, unrolled a map, and began explaining the details to him.

At such close proximity, he could even sense the softness of her skin, and the air was filled with her sweet fragrance.

Zu An listened carefully to the entire operational plan and asked several detailed questions. Just before they set off, he told Zhang Zitong, "Go change your clothes. Embroidered Envoys do not need to use their charm to accomplish missions."

Zhang Zitong's face slightly reddened. "Yes!" she replied.

She quickly retreated into an inner room, where rustling sounds indicated she was changing. After a few minutes, she re-emerged, having returned to her usual heroic and valiant appearance.

Xiao Jianren and the others watched in admiration. Lord Eleven was truly exceptional; he had shown no emotional fluctuation whatsoever in the face of such temptation, unlike their own useless reactions.

Soon, the group arrived near Ruyi Pavilion under the cover of night. The others took their positions, while Zu An stood at a high vantage point, quietly observing everything.

Xiao Jianren and Zhang Zitong couldn't sense his presence at all, reinforcing their impression of Lord Eleven's unfathomable power.

Approximately half an hour later, Mr. Huo appeared in their line of sight. He had clearly altered his attire, presumably to avoid being recognized by anyone from the Yan King's Mansion.

The Embroidered Envoys did not make their move on the street. After all, in an area like Ruyi Pavilion, with people constantly coming and going, it would have been nearly impossible to avoid alarming others.

Mr. Huo arrived at Ruyi Pavilion. Soon, a madam greeted him with a smile and led him into a private room.

"Please wait, sir, the young lady you requested will be here shortly," the madam said, waddling away happily with a silver ingot in hand, wiggling her ample posterior.

Mr. Huo felt a wave of disgust. He snorted, "How can such a fat woman compare to a slender, delicate young girl?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but swallow. He took a pink pill from his pocket, popped it into his mouth, then picked up the teacup from the table and drained it.

Soon, he felt a warmth spreading through his lower abdomen, and a satisfied smile crept onto his face. He would soon be able to display his vigor with the young girl.

Suddenly, his expression changed. He abruptly looked at the teacup on the table. "Poison!" he exclaimed.

He hastily stood up. Just then, the nearby window suddenly opened, and several individuals in embroidered robes rolled in. Simultaneously, four Soul-Binding Ropes instantly coiled around his hands and feet.

To deal with a master like Mr. Huo, ordinary Embroidered Envoys would be useless. This time, Zhang Zitong, Xiao Jianren, and two local Silver-rank Envoys from Yijun had been dispatched.

They coordinated tightly, allowing the opponent almost no time to react.

The Soul-Binding Ropes of the Embroidered Envoys were incredibly potent. Once an ordinary cultivator was ensnared, their vital energy would cease to circulate, leaving them entirely at the mercy of their captors.

As expected, Mr. Huo's body trembled, and he went completely limp.

However, at that very moment, the pattern on his forehead suddenly came to life, transforming as if into a living eye.

"Don't look at his eyes!" Zhang Zitong cried out.

But it was too late. The expressions of the four Silver-rank Embroidered Envoys instantly turned blank. They froze in place, seemingly falling directly into a deep slumber.

Mr. Huo sneered. He slowly removed the Soul-Binding Ropes from his body, then twisted, opened his mouth, and spat out a mouthful of tea, expelling the poison he had just ingested.

"A few mere Silver-rank Embroidered Envoys dare to try and capture this old man?"

As he spoke, he approached Zhang Zitong, looking closely at her frowned face. "You're truly beautiful," he said, "just a little too old..."

The pink pill he had just ingested began to take effect. He suddenly swallowed. "I've never toyed with a Silver-rank Embroidered Envoy before," he mused. "So beautiful, with such long legs. This old man will make an exception for you just this once, to properly celebrate this auspicious day."

Just as he reached out to touch her, a teasing voice suddenly came from behind him: "Do you know that those who pop champagne at halftime never come to a good end?"