The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 240 - 168: Human Heart, Evil Spirits, Each with Their Own Scheme

Chapter 240: Chapter 168: Human Heart, Evil Spirits, Each with Their Own Scheme

Feng Feiyan’s inquiry abruptly interrupted everyone’s thoughts.

Sha Lifei felt a sudden jolt in his heart but managed to keep a straight face, spouting nonsense, "This thing is interesting, isn’t it? I made some money and thought about getting a batch of goods before the Lantern Festival to resell."

"If you want to sell, you should at least find out what it’s all about, right?"

"Forget about it."

Feng Feiyan shook her head, "I’ve heard some news, this time the public is not allowed to release these on their own, only troupes designated by the court are permitted. Anyone caught reselling privately will have their goods confiscated."

"What, really?"

Sha Lifei widened his eyes, then with a look of relief, he said, "Thanks for the reminder, Feng Manager, otherwise Old Sha here would have lost money..."

As he spoke, he exchanged a glance with Li Yan.

The true identity of this Feng Feiyan was a secret agent from the Captain Bureau.

If she said she was going to investigate, then it was inevitable.

The court was cracking down hard on "Puppet firearms," probably fearing that Maitreya Sect followers would use such items as disguises to cause trouble and rescue people during the Lantern Festival.

Feng Feiyan seemed preoccupied with other thoughts and nodded slightly, "Gentlemen, I have other matters to attend to and must leave first. Sister Hong, you must be careful."

After saying that, she bowed her hands in respect and left.

Watching her departing figure, Li Yan furrowed his brows, "Sister Hong, did you take on a mission coming to Chang’an this time?"

"That’s right."

The expression on Crimson Yaksha’s face grew grave, "The Taixuan Orthodox Sect has called together all the notable demon hunters in the city to suppress corpses at the City God Temple."

Upon hearing this, Sha Lifei became anxious, "Sister Hong, that thing is too dangerous, you mustn’t go, find an excuse to decline."

After hearing this, Crimson Yaksha chuckled lightly and shook her head seriously, "If it were an ordinary task, I would have declined, but this one is different."

"I’ve received news that it’s a Drought Demon; in life, it practiced Evil Skills, after death it was sealed in a coffin with Seven-star Soul Suppressing Nails, and then buried in a Yin Sha acupoint in the Qinling Mountains. If its resentment leaks out, disaster will surely arise!"

"I am from Chang’an, how could I stand aside and do nothing?"

Hearing this, Wang Daoxuan seemed thoughtful, "Listening to what you’ve said, I’m afraid someone has been deliberately nurturing it; their intentions are malevolent."

Crimson Yaksha shook her head, "The specific situation is still unknown. I came by to remind you all."

"I heard that the Law Enforcement Hall suffered heavy losses in the Qinling Mountains; they’ll probably look for people from other places to escort it. Only after that thing is transported away will Chang’an be somewhat safer."

"If that’s the case, be careful, Sister Hong."

"Hmm, I take my leave!"

Crimson Yaksha waved her hand, bowed her fists, and, with a broadsword on her back, strode off.

Seeing her leave, Sha Lifei couldn’t help but curse, "Who’s the heartless wretch that’s brought forth this thing, not afraid of losing their virtue, causing the severance of their lineage?"

Wang Daoxuan, however, sighed, "Such things have always been hard to avoid throughout the dynasties; human calamities are sometimes worse than natural disasters."

"It’s good that we found out in advance; that makes things much easier to handle."

The Qinling Mountains...

Suddenly, Li Yan thought of the treasure painting coveted by Tomb Snake Dugu Qian.

He had a hunch that it was probably related to that item...

...

Meanwhile, after leaving, Feng Feiyan boarded a sedan and headed eastward towards Changle Square.

Changle Square was connected to the East Market, right by the city wall, mostly inhabited by the city’s wealthy families. Large mansions and courtyards were abundantly spaced, separated by scenic waterways and trees, quite imposing.

Just arriving at the entrance of the square, Feng Feiyan got out of the sedan and walked on foot.

She discreetly observed her surroundings, always on the lookout for anyone following her, then turned into an alleyway, winding her way through several turns before arriving at a side gate of a large mansion.

Knock knock knock!

The knocking sounded long and short, with a rhythmic beat.

The side gate creaked open, revealing an indifferent face that said in a deep voice, "Go inside, the master has been waiting for you for a long time."

Feng Feiyan dared not say much else, following the person through many corridors, arriving finally at the garden in the backyard.

The garden was not large, but it was arranged exquisitely, with an artificial hill and pond, where the winter snow had not yet melted and steam rose off the water, and redfish swam back and forth.

By the pond, a man was feeding the fish.

He was not tall, but he had a sturdy build, dressed in plain clothes, eyes dark and gloomy, with two frowning lines on his forehead, as if always deep in thought.

Feng Feiyan quickly approached, knelt on one knee, and bowed, "This lowly flag holder Feng Feiyan of Households Bureau greets the Households Commander."

The man was Guo Yuhuai, from the Thousand Households office of Shan State.

According to Great Xuan regulations, each state’s Captain Bureau set up a Thousand Households office with three holders, one of whom held the seal as the leader.

Hearing her voice, the Seal Holder Guo Yuhuai didn’t turn around; after a long silence, he suddenly asked, "Have you found out anything?"

Feng Feiyan trembled, lowering her head, "This subordinate is incompetent."

She inwardly cursed her luck, filled with fear.

The original Hundred Households, Chang Xuan, had been in charge of the gunpowder theft case and had brought down her immediate superior, Yu Chen, gaining favor with those above. Now, he was threatening the position of the Seal Holder Guo Yuhuai.

She had joined under Chang Xuan, which would not normally be an issue, but Guo Yuhuai suddenly sought her out, instructing her to investigate Chang Xuan’s testing ground for firearms.

Feng Feiyan dared not offend either of them.

She feared being discovered by Chang Xuan, and yet she couldn’t report him, because Guo Yuhuai had people watching her. She was so worried these past few days that she could hardly sleep.

Unexpectedly, Guo Yuhuai was not angry but spoke indifferently, "You’ve just joined his ranks, it’s understandable that you’re not trusted. Rest assured, I will not blame you."

"Thank you, Commander."

Feng Feiyan sighed with relief and quickly expressed her gratitude.

Guo Yuhuai scattered another handful of feed, lamenting, "You’re also one of the old hands at our Shan State Thousand Households office. How was Yu Chen to you back then?"

Feng Feiyan paused for a moment, then said through gritted teeth, "Master Yu showed favor and grace to this subordinate, never to be forgotten."

"Indeed."

Guo Yuhuai spoke calmly, "As the head of Shan State’s Captain Bureau, I strive for nothing more than stability in all things—like this pond, where there is grass and insects, the fish can thrive and look presentable."

"Calm waters, how pleasant."

"Yu Chen indeed made mistakes, his mistake was in being sloppy, leaving others to take advantage of him. But he never mistreated his subordinates."