This garden was originally built by a salt merchant from the previous dynasty, with rockery craftsmanship ingeniously exquisite, directing living water from the canal into the garden. The winding corridor hides the misty rain, and the painted boat floats amidst rainbow reflections.

A feast hosted by a salt merchant costs a thousand gold coins, with Huaiyang delicacies and Four Seas' rare cuisines laid out on the table, all served in official kilned blue porcelain cups. The wine poured is Jiangnan's famous brew, Yun Ye liquor, with songs and music uninterrupted throughout the night.

In the past, a renowned literary figure had inscribed "When the wind blows in the water pavilion, the place is filled with hidden fragrance" on a mural in the garden, making it famous far and wide.

At this moment, Jiyu Garden was lit up as if it were daytime.

The spacious main hall by the water was called "Zhuojin Hall," with all the surrounding screens completely open.

The canal's ripples reflected the glazed palace lanterns hanging from the eaves, transforming the entire building into a palace of crystal.

In front of the hall, the Han white jade steps led straight into the lotus pool. The koi in the pool carried light and played with shadows, while the Tai Lake rocks piled along the pond formed peaks of immortals, concealing living water, and the falling stones murmured like the sound of a jade pendant.

The current owner of the garden is Wang Maode, the largest salt merchant in Yangzhou.

Tonight, he holds a banquet, precisely to gather all the city's wealthy merchants and discuss the great plan to resist the pirates.

A hundred Zitan Eight Immortals tables are adorned with Shu embroidery, each equipped with cloisonné steam pots boiling fresh river fish. Official kilned pastel dishes hold crab ball lion heads, three sets of duck, Wen Si tofu, and other fine Huaiyang snacks. All the attendants wear Hangzhou silk green attire, silently pouring wine from silver pots.

Yet, this sumptuous feast lacks any elegance or leisure.

Everyone seated in the hall is either wealthy or noble.

The Yangzhou Chief of Cao Gang, Liu Tonghai, taps the golden jade pipe without speaking.

A few extravagantly dressed salt merchants exchange glances.

The City God Temple Law Enforcement Hall elder, Gou Rong Maoshan Taoist "Thunderbolt Hand" Xu Zhenshan, fiddles with his jade ruyi while keeping his eyes half-closed, his white eyebrows hanging low.

"Hahaha~"

Wang Maode raises his cup with a hearty laugh, looks around at everyone, and speaks: "The pirates have invaded the land, a calamity unprecedented in Yangzhou City for a hundred years! Tonight, I have invited everyone to gather and establish a plan."

One of the merchants asks, "I wonder what plan Landlord Wang is talking about?"

"Simple."

Wang Maode puts down his wine cup, his face growing solemn. "The pirates not only block the waterways and harm our business, but the court also requires an explanation."

"Why should we be the ones to provide an explanation?" someone immediately protests.

"Alas~"

Wang Maode sighs, "Those pirates are unpredictable, able to infiltrate deep into Yangzhou, setting ambushes and launching surprise attacks, and then hide where they cannot be found. Everyone knows there must be a traitor!"

"I know everyone doesn't want to get involved, considering the potential risks. But if we don't find those pirates, who will bear the blame? Everyone can think about it."

"Of course, if we succeed in this matter, we won't lack the court's commendation. In our line of work, having an extra title for protection is always good..."

His words leave everyone in the hall silent.

Someone secretly observes "Thunderbolt Hand" Xu Zhenshan, noting that he remains silent with his eyes closed, believing this matter is almost a sure thing.

But how many people to dispatch, whether to invest money or effort, must be discussed thoroughly...

At this moment, "Thunderbolt Hand" Xu Zhenshan suddenly opens his eyes and stands up, addressing the night sky: "Which Daoist friend is spying so late? Why not come down for a drink of wine!"

"Someone!"

Xu Zhenshan's shout is like thunder on the ground.

The already tense hall instantly erupts into chaos.

The sound of musical instruments ceases abruptly, the clinking of cups and the rustling noises echo, and the faces of those plump and amiable salt merchants drain of blood in panic.

The bodyguards and retainers hired with great expense by their sides almost simultaneously spring into action, the sound of weapons unsheathing continuous, shadows flicker, quickly protecting their masters behind them, forming small defensive circles, eyes sharply scanning the dim corners around, the atmosphere tense and on edge.

From the dark architraves on the roof, Li Yan feels slightly surprised.

His Concealing Breath and Form Technique is not considered top-notch, yet he carries the Dragon and Snake Card treasure.

Not just ordinary martial artists, even members of the Mystical Sect would find it extremely difficult to detect.

How could this Maoshan native, Xu Elder of the City God Temple Law Enforcement Hall, have such keen perception?

Judging by his Dao ability, it's about the same as Li Yan's; it must be some special Divine Skill...

In the flash of thought, Li Yan knows that hiding is useless. He leaps out from the shadow under the architraves, executing a Kite Flipping maneuver, and stands straight under the bright lights of the hall.

"Who dares intrude on private premises? State your name!"

A leader of the guards angrily shouts, pointing his long sword forward.

Li Yan glances around the room, his gaze sweeping across faces filled with surprise, anger, or inquiry, finally landing on Wang Maode at the main seat. He clasps his hands and speaks in a loud voice, "I am Li Yan, with no intention to disturb your conversations. Passing through here, following a trail to pursue a harmful demon, reaching this place by coincidence, with no intent of spying."

His voice is clear and bright, neither humble nor arrogant, possessing a power of calmness.

"Li Yan?" The hall immediately buzzes with low murmurs.

Most of the salt merchants and their guards appear bewildered, evidently unfamiliar with this name, and they begin asking those knowledgeable beside them.

While those who have only heard of the "Twelve Primordial Spirits" title, and those who truly understand the details instantly have their expressions change, looking at Li Yan with eyes full of shock and disbelief.

"Is it really him?!"

"The leader of the Twelve Primordial Spirits?!"

"'Living Yama' Li Yan, he has indeed arrived in Yangzhou!"

"Hiss... so young?! He doesn't look like the rumors..."

The puzzled and uncertain remarks clearly reach Li Yan's ears.

On the main seat, Wang Maode's face quickly regains composure, instantly changing to show a smile full of enthusiasm, standing up suddenly, clapping his hands and laughing: "Hahaha! It turns out to be the world-renowned Young Hero Li! My apologies, my apologies!"

"I've received the news long ago that the Twelve Primordial Spirits heroes have come south, already in Yangzhou territory. I intended to wait a few days, prepare invitations, personally board and visit, to see your grandeur, yet worried it might be too abrupt, disturbing your rest."