The gambling house is the most chaotic place in the city, and also a place where information flows freely.

"Big or small, place your bets, everyone!"

"One, two, three, a triplet!"

The smell of sweat and cheap tobacco filled the air as the dice cups clattered loudly.

Sha Lifei, wearing a greasy short jacket, squeezed to the table where dice were being played, and after intentionally losing three rounds, he casually placed his arm around the shoulder of a gambler with sunken eyes and said with a smile, "Brother, you're out of luck today. I heard there are some fat sheep in town, haven't you thought about getting some of it?"

The gambler, with bloodshot eyes from losing, spat and said, "Haven't seen the fat sheep, only bad luck!"

"A few days ago, several black-covered wagons arrived at the South Gate, with seven or eight sacks that looked like children... but the guards didn't even check and let them pass!"

He lowered his voice, "The strange thing is that after the wagons entered the city, they vanished into thin air. I asked the old dog at the child labor agency, and he said this is the third wave..."

Sha Lifei's pupils shrank, and he tossed a piece of broken silver: "Which South Gate?"

The gambler was initially regretful for speaking too much, but seeing the silver, he immediately took it, bit it hard, and then said softly, "Which else? The one with the guard Liu Laizi on duty!"

"Don't go blabbing about this outside; we can't afford to mess with those people."

"That's true, as you said, brother..."

......

Those who went out to gather information were mainly Li Yan, Sha Lifei, and Kuai Dayou.

After all, the three were seasoned veterans of the pugilistic world, and with some minor disguises, they wouldn't stand out as much.

Kuai Dayou disguised himself as a woodworker from out of town looking for a living, carrying a small wooden box, and wandered into the west of the city.

This area was inhabited by various shops and was considered Taian City's artisan hub.

Among them, there were some Mystical Sect craftsmen who were skilled in creating magic artifacts.

Kuai Dayou, carrying the woodworker's box, walked back and forth on the street a few times and then knocked on the door of an old shop with secret symbols engraved on its signboard.

Seeing the master craftsman polishing a gilded bronze bell, he deliberately shook his head, "The Cloud Thunder Pattern is carved too shallow, it won't suppress the yin energy of the underground palace."

The master craftsman suddenly looked up, "Oh, an expert? Perhaps you're also on that urgent job order?"

Kuai Dayou paused, purposely avoiding the question with a smile, "You mean..."

"Don't play dumb!"

The master craftsman was evidently a bit impatient, "If you're an expert, where do you ply your trade?"

Kuai Dayou rolled his eyes and casually mentioned a name from the Hui School of Craftsmanship's Spring Festival.

The master craftsman immediately nodded, "Alright, since we're on the same side, you might as well lend a hand."

He then led him to the back courtyard and pointed to the piles of engraved copper bells and Kui Pattern jade chimes, saying softly, "Half a month ago, a masked client booked over thirty shops in the city to rush the creation of ritual music artifacts! They ordered sixty-four bronze bells alone!"

"These old bones of mine really can't take it anymore. Rest assured, as long as this gets delivered smoothly, I won't let you go unrewarded."

"So many!"

Kuai Dayou feigned surprise, "Could it be for the Taishan Ceremony?"

"Nonsense!"

The master craftsman chuckled, "If it were for the Ceremony, it's the Royal Divine Craft Camp's job from the Ministry of Industry, not ours."

"Then who ordered it?"

The master craftsman glanced around and said softly, "Yesterday, while rushing the order, I overheard it was to perform the 'Immortal Attraction Music' in the Dai Yin Valley!"

"Immortal Attraction Music?"

Kuai Dayou was taken aback.

Since ancient times, music has been used to entertain gods and lure immortals, and for setting up spell altars.

Stepping empty words, Immortal Attraction Music, they're all the same.

With so many musical instruments, could they be intending to communicate with Grandma Taishan? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Kuai Dayou couldn't help but ask, "With so many ritual instruments, is this business safe?"

"What's there to fear, even the City God Temple people know, and they didn't say a word..."

.........

On the other side, across the street outside the Captain's Office.

Li Yan, wrapped in a gray cloak, crouched in front of a pancake stall, seemingly enjoying a dish of sheep offal, but his peripheral vision was locked on the large vermilion door opposite.

He had been observing for a long time, even using escape techniques to get a high-altitude view, but found nothing unusual.

But that was precisely where the flaw lay.

After such a big event last night, the Captain's Office was unexpectedly calm today.

Who was involved in last night's incident?

Or perhaps the entire Captain's Office in Taian City has a problem...

At 7:45 AM, a small blue sedan silently stopped at the side door, and a plump merchant got out.

He was dressed in a cloak, covering his face, and looked around cautiously.

It's none other than Fatty Lin's clan uncle, Lin Yaosong!

Li Yan immediately formed a mantra, activating his Smell Superpower and Hearing Divine Power.

Although the Captain Bureau had set up arrays many years ago, they had fallen into disrepair over time, and Li Yan could still hear some things.

Unfortunately, after Lin Yaosong went in, he didn't say much, only being led to a tea room to rest.

Finally, half a quarter-hour later, Zhao Bingzhong, the leader of the Captain Bureau, and Zhou Xian, the Prefect of the government office, emerged one after the other.

Lin Yaosong then followed closely with two expert guards.

The three exchanged glances but did not speak, each boarding a carriage heading towards the West Gate.

Li Yan squinted slightly, threw a few Copper Coins, and followed like a civet.

Soon, this group left the city one after another.

Taian City's outskirts were desolate, but Li Yan executed the North Emperor Mysterious Water Escape with ease, transforming into a stream of Water Qi, silently trailing behind.

When they reached the outskirts near the Three Official Temple, the three suddenly ducked into a dilapidated temple overgrown with weeds.

Li Yan followed closely, shrouded in Water Qi, drifting onto the roof, peering down through a hole.

He saw Zhao Bingzhong from the Captain Bureau take out a scroll of silk and coldly say:

"Tonight at midnight, Laojun Valley."

Zhou Xian, the Prefect from the government office, stroked his beard and glanced aside, smiling, "Is the Lin family's merchant team's 'blood sacrifice' ready?"

Lin Yaosong, panting heavily, wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and said:

"Ninety virgin boys and girls have been placed in the cellar... just hoping the lord won't forget your promise."

Zhao Bingzhong tucked the silk scroll into his arms, patting his shoulder.

"Rest assured, after this matter is done, we won't trouble you again."

"No one will ever know what you did to the Lin family."

Lin Yaosong didn't know how to respond, so he simply nodded compliantly.

Zhou Xian then stroked his beard and smiled, "Manager Lin, being so submissive, you'll always be under someone's control. You've managed the Lin family's northern business so orderly, with exceptional skill, surely you don't intend to remain subordinate forever?"

Lin Yaosong showed a hint of bitterness on his face, "Sir, you're joking. I don't have such ambition."

"Hmph!"

Zhao Bingzhong snorted coldly, "Since ancient times, the victor becomes the king, the loser a bandit. Brothers fall, and they become two separate households. You can still manage a branch of the business, but what about your sons? They'll all be part of the Lin family's branch in the future. Without some guarantee, if the family declines, you could end up begging!"

"To tell you the truth, Immortal Zhao is already planning for you, someone on the Lin family's side will naturally take action. You just need to pretend not to know and return to assume the position of Family Head when the time comes."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yaosong's face turned utterly pale, "What did you... what did you do?"

"There's no need for more questions, just return to assume the role of Family Head when the time comes!"

"Lin Sect Master, remember, when the time comes, you must repay Immortal Zhao's kindness..."

Listening to the two talking, Lin Yaosong felt weak all over, his expression filled with uncertainty.

Meanwhile, on the roof, Li Yan's face was equally somber.

This was indeed Zhao Changsheng's scheme...

......

As the setting sun dyed everything blood-red, the three had already returned to the safe house to rendezvous, exchanging information.

Sha Lifei slammed the table, angrily cursing, "Damn it, even the government is involved in kidnapping children!"

Kuai Dayou unfolded the drawn-up magic artifact diagrams, scratching his head and said:

"Some tampering has been done with this batch of magic artifacts. They appear to be ceremonial tools for heaven worship, but there's likely another purpose."

"Indeed, it was him all along!"

The normally mild-mannered Fatty Lin was now furious, his eyes full of murderous intent.

"Don't worry."

Li Yan patted his shoulder, "Whatever the conspiracy, kill them, and it'll naturally resolve."

"Everyone take a rest; tonight, we won't let any of them get away!"

......

At midnight in Laojun Valley, an eerie silence prevailed, with only the whistling of the mountain wind brushing against the cliffs.

This place wasn't far from Taian City. Due to the naturally formed massive stone platform, smooth and level, locals claimed it was once the site where Lao Jun performed alchemy, hence the name Laojun Valley.

Li Yan crouched behind jagged rocks, his presence as still as Ku Mu, his gaze penetrating the dark, watching the valley floor intently.

Sha Lifei, Kuai Dayou, Fatty Lin, and others were also hidden in the shadows.

It wasn't long before they saw people arriving.

But to their surprise, the number of arrivals greatly exceeded expectations.

Numerous torches formed a "fire snake" meandering and winding, converging from all directions...