Chapter 494: Inspection

Old Huang’s subsequent confession was surprisingly simple: he had found Axun’s secret hideout and discovered Axun refining the ‘Death-Defying Incense’. When the incense was completed, its fragrance spread far and wide, resulting in the notorious zombie transformation.

After listening to Old Huang’s account, Wu Jinliang, however, voiced a different doubt: “Your surname isn’t Jin, did you change it?”

At this, Huang Yingying, whose face was swollen, sighed. “After leaving God Mountain and gaining my freedom, I worried that my surname might one day cause resentment again. To avoid trouble, I changed it to ‘Huang’.”

One could imagine how terrified he had been at the time. Wu Jinliang didn’t ask further questions. He exited the cave, took out a parent-child talisman, and immediately messaged Shi Chun: “Chun, did you get the items from Axun?”

Inside the library, it was dim. Outside the window, the streetlights remained hazy, and there were occasional sounds of passersby.

Shi Chun sat quietly alone in the shadows, slowly chewing fruit by a makeshift table. Suddenly, he took out a parent-child talisman and saw a message from Wu Jinliang. He replied: “It wasn’t the right time to take anything.”

Wu Jinliang immediately informed him: “Is there still a chance to get them now? According to Huang Yingying’s confession, the reason for the zombie transformation back then was Axun secretly refining the ‘Death-Defying Incense’. This means Axun might have the ‘Death-Defying Incense’ on him.”

Shi Chun had never dreamed that the very item he sought would be on Lord Axun. He instinctively stood up with a jolt, then quickly sat back down, and messaged again: “How could he have the ‘Death-Defying Incense’ on him?”

Wu Jinliang immediately relayed the relevant details one by one, including that ‘God Mountain’ was ‘Divine Bird Mountain’ and ‘Golden Palace Mountain’, and Huang Yingying’s background. Finally, he specifically warned that until things were clarified and confirmed, it might be difficult to silence that old man Huang Yingying.

Of course, he also expressed suspicion that this might be Huang Yingying’s way of self-preservation.

Whether it was a means of self-preservation or not, Shi Chun asked again: “Ask Lao Changtai and the others if, among the suspicious individuals found in the shop, there was a man with flowing long hair, a silky black shirt, defined facial features, and reddish eye sockets.”

Wu Jinliang looked, then slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten this detail.

He immediately turned back and whistled twice.

Lao Changtai, who was in the cave, immediately came out upon hearing the sound. Wu Jinliang showed him the message.

After reading it, Lao Changtai immediately nodded and said, “Yes, the one who appeared a few days ago. He went up the mountain inside the city, and we couldn’t follow. We don’t know who he is on the mountain, and we’re trying to find out his identity…”

As he spoke, he himself realized what was going on.

Wu Jinliang immediately relayed the information to Shi Chun.

Shi Chun had a headache after seeing the message. Such a blunder had occurred. He replied: “It must be Axun then. Huang Yingying probably wasn’t lying. But the scene where he died definitely can’t be visited now.”

Wu Jinliang asked: “Then what do we do? The items are very likely on him.”

Shi Chun: “I’ll handle it. Keep Huang Yingying.”

After their communication ended, Shi Chun fell into deep thought in the darkness. A moment later, he took out a parent-child talisman again and sent a message to Wu Jinliang: “Leave the parent-child talisman used to contact Mei You with me.”

Wu Jinliang reminded him: “The parent-child talismans these people use might be different from ordinary ones; they might be traceable. If Mei You realizes something has happened to his subordinates, he might be able to track them down using the location.”

Shi Chun: “I know. Keep things stable for now; don’t let him realize anything.”

Since Shi Chun had said so, Wu Jinliang naturally had no objections. He turned and handed the parent-child talisman to Lao Changtai, instructing him: “If something unexpected happens, Dazhi City might be sealed off. It doesn’t matter for me, as I live outside the city, but you should rush back as soon as possible. As for how to hand over the items, you can message the boss yourself.”

“Alright.” Lao Changtai took the item and quickly withdrew.

The handover was not difficult. Shi Chun went out again, and the exchange was completed when the two brushed past each other on the road.

On the mountain within the city, the lights suddenly brightened considerably. This unusual activity caused significant commotion throughout the city. Just as Wu Jinliang had predicted, Dazhi City’s forces were mobilized, the city’s protective formation was activated, and the city was sealed!

Wu Jinliang’s reaction was indeed timely.

At the same time, Mei You rushed to the inner court. After Lou Xiu dismissed and arranged his subordinates, Mei You approached and whispered, “Supervisor, I heard Lord Axun was killed?”

Lou Xiu grunted, “The situation is very serious, and the City Lord is furious. Hmm? What do you mean by that look? You don’t think I did it, do you? Let me tell you, I’ve been on the mountain this whole time. This has nothing to do with me, and I’m quite surprised myself.”

Mei You was surprised, unsure whether Lou Xiu was telling the truth. If it wasn’t him, then who could it be?

Lou Xiu then added, “However, this isn’t a bad thing for us. Inform your subordinates that they don’t need to run anymore; tell them to return as soon as possible.”

“Understood, sir.” Mei You agreed, immediately took out a parent-child talisman, and issued an order to his subordinates, stating that everything was fine and they should return at once.

The night had its own bustle. On the bustling street, Shi Chun, who was strolling, had just found a quiet corner to slip into when he saw Mei You’s command issued via the parent-child talisman.

He immediately replied: “Number 37 Alley, the items inside the hole in the broken wall. Hand them over to Lou Xiu. You’ll regret it if you’re late.”

As soon as the message was sent, he directly broke a hole in the wall in front of him, took out another parent-child talisman, and shoved both talismans, including the one used to send the message, into the hole. Then he turned and left.

Inside the main hall of the inner court, Mei You was stunned by the message. This was clearly not a reply from his subordinate. Had his subordinate’s parent-child talisman fallen into someone else’s hands? What about previous communications?

The thought sent a cold sweat running down his back.

Lou Xiu inadvertently looked back, saw Mei You’s expression, and realizing something was amiss, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Mei You swallowed hard, quickly walked up to him, and handed him the message on the parent-child talisman.

After reading it, Lou Xiu was very surprised. How did this situation directly involve him? He glared angrily and snapped, “What’s going on?”

Mei You awkwardly replied, “I don’t know either.”

He then quickly replied to the message, asking: “Who are you?”

However, no matter how many times he asked, there was no reply, as if his messages had fallen into the sea.

Lou Xiu suddenly said in a deep voice, “Stop bothering with it. Go quickly and see what it is.”

“Alright.” Mei You immediately rushed off.

After descending the mountain, he had someone prepare a carriage and hid himself inside to remain inconspicuous, as too many people in the city knew him.

Upon reaching Number 37 Alley, he swiftly got out of the carriage and darted into the alley. His eyes quickly searched, spotting the broken hole. Cautiously, he used a spell to probe inside the hole. After confirming there were no traps, he reached in and retrieved two parent-child talismans.

He glanced around, then quickly left the scene and returned to the carriage.

After the carriage reached the foot of the mountain, he quickly disembarked and ran back up, returning to the main hall of the inner court. Seeing Lou Xiu pacing and waiting, he immediately presented the two parent-child talismans: “Supervisor, just these two talismans.”

“Two?” Lou Xiu took them, examined them, and said, “Just say we’ve got the items, and ask what he wants.”

“Alright.” Mei You immediately complied. However, as soon as the message was sent, one of the talismans in Lou Xiu’s hand glowed faintly with text.

Lou Xiu read the text, then immediately showed it to Mei You, cursing, “Idiot!”

After seeing it, Mei You carefully examined the marks on that parent-child talisman. They matched the marks on the talisman he held, meaning it was the other half of his own talisman. He hadn’t noticed this before and immediately felt embarrassed.

This also made both of them understand the purpose of the other parent-child talisman.

Lou Xiu threw Mei You’s half back to him, holding up the other one. He snorted, “Acting with such caution, whoever is seeking us out is probably up to no good.”

With that, he directly sent a questioning message on the newly acquired parent-child talisman: “Who are you?”

Shi Chun, who had returned to the library and continued eating from the fruit platter, took out the parent-child talisman and saw its content. He put down the partially eaten fruit and replied: “The one who killed Lord Axun first found two assistants who were present at the scene. One was sent to distract the Bai clan. After that person returned, the killer immediately slew both assistants. Only then did he approach Lord Axun, successfully ambushing him while he was unprepared. He then silenced the remaining witnesses, set fire to the place, and departed.”

After sending the message, he put down the parent-child talisman, picked up the partially eaten fruit, and continued chewing. In the darkness, he watched the hazy light and shadows on the window, chewing impassively.

After reading the densely packed small characters on the parent-child talisman, Lou Xiu’s heart sank. He immediately avoided Mei You’s inquisitive gaze, walked back to his desk, sat down, and then messaged back, asking: “What do you want?”

Shi Chun unhurriedly finished eating the fruit in his hand, leaving only the core, before picking up the parent-child talisman he had put down. After seeing the new message, he was basically certain that the other party was Lou Xiu himself. He simply replied: “Axun’s personal belongings, every single one of them, to me.”

Wants Axun’s things? Lou Xiu’s eyes showed suspicion. He didn’t know why the person wanted Axun’s belongings; it certainly wasn’t for money, otherwise, they could have blackmailed him. This meant there was something special among Axun’s personal effects.

After a few moments of thought, he messaged, asking: “How do I give them to you?”

Shi Chun replied: “Tell me when you can get them.”

Lou Xiu remained silent, pondering for a long time, before slowly putting away the parent-child talisman in his hand. He then stood up and left.

Mei You followed, nervously asking, “Supervisor, what does the other party mean?”

“What do they mean? They mean they’re cleaning up your mess.” Lou Xiu retorted ungraciously.

This night was destined to be sleepless. The entire Dazhi City began to stir as the city guards went door-to-door, knocking on every house. Morning Moon Pavilion was no exception. The lights in the front hall came on, and Dong Wenshu’s family was all alarmed.

There was no alternative; the knocking guards felt Shi Chun, as just an employee, wasn’t sufficient. They insisted that Shi Chun call out the proprietor and demanded that everyone be present.

Once everyone had gathered, the leader’s gaze swept over them. He asked, “Are these all the people? Is everyone present?”

Dong Wenshu replied, “These are all the people in the library. What’s happening so late at night?”

The leader announced loudly, “Mr. Wenshu, listen carefully, all of you. Tonight, at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), if anyone left the premises and was not at home, you must honestly report where you went and what you did. There must be no concealment, or the consequences will be severe!”

As soon as he said this, Dong Liangyi subconsciously glanced at Shi Chun, who was standing to the side.

Hearing the commotion outside on the street, Dong Wenshu asked again, “Has something happened?”

The leader said, “Someone committed murder and killed the envoy sent by God Mountain. Anyone who can provide useful clues will be heavily rewarded. The City Lord has announced a reward of one hundred million Tan Jin!”

“One hundred million?” Dong Liangze couldn’t help but gasp.

No one present was unmoved, not even Shi Chun. One could imagine that with such a substantial reward just for providing clues, the City Lord was clearly genuinely enraged.

Thinking it was some other matter, Dong Wenshu felt relieved upon hearing this, believing that such a major incident certainly wouldn’t involve his family. He immediately looked around and asked, “Did everyone hear that? Did anyone go out during the hour of Xu?”