Chapter 73: Chapter 71: Underworld Investigation

## Step 1: Contextual Analysis

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/xianxia web novel, specifically a crime/mystery/investigation subplot within a larger martial arts fantasy setting.

Language style: The text is written in a straightforward narrative style typical of Chinese web novels, with a mix of dialogue, action, and internal monologue.

Tone: Serious, plot-driven, with elements of intrigue and pursuit.

Plot keywords: investigation, fugitive, White Lotus Saintess, city search, family politics, rewards

Characters:

- Yang Lian’Er: Female, a former famous actress in blue clothing from Dinghai City, now suspected of being the White Lotus Saintess (possibly a cult leader)

- Xiao Rong: Male, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, leading the investigation

- Yan Zongtai: Male, ambitious son of the Yan family, eager to capture Yang Lian’Er to gain power

- Yan Guanhua: Male, Yan Zongtai’s father, a patriarch with connections

- Yan Yuhua: Female, Yan Zongtai’s younger sister

- Gao Kai: Male, appears to be a subordinate of Yan Zongtai

## Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing

Now I’ll translate and polish the text following all the rules:

The first part describes Xiao Rong getting information about Yang Lian’Er and deciding to visit her home in Mirror Alley. Yan Guanhua offers to gather men, but Xiao Rong thinks it’s unnecessary. Meanwhile, Yan Zongtai has already gone there with people including his sister Yan Yuhua. Yan Zongtai is excited about potentially capturing the White Lotus Saintess to gain recognition and power.

When they arrive at Yang’s home, they find it empty. Yan Yuhua had predicted this outcome. When Xiao Rong and Yan Guanhua arrive, there’s tension as Yan Zongtai has acted without authority. Xiao Rong is interested in Yan Yuhua when she appears. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Xiao Rong investigates the empty home and deduces that Yang Lian’Er left in an unhurried manner and likely intends to return, suggesting she’s still in the city. Rather than conducting a city-wide search which might alert her, he suggests using the underground networks to find her. Yan Guanhua agrees to this plan. Meanwhile, Yan Yuhua shows interest in Xiao Rong, which her father notices.

The Chapter ends with the order spreading through the city, with all the major families offering a reward of 100 silver coins for information on Yang Lian’Er’s whereabouts.

Now I’ll produce the full translation:

"Yang Lian’Er? Isn’t she that famous blue-robed actress who was all the rage in Dinghai City? I believe she lives in Mirror Alley in North City," someone reported.

Xiao Rong immediately stood up and said, "Take me there to have a look."

"Do you need me to gather men?" Yan Guanhua promptly asked.

Xiao Rong shook his head. "No need. If it’s her, she’s certainly not there anymore. If it’s not, then there’s even less reason to mobilize forces."

While Xiao Rong was heading to Mirror Alley, Yan Zongtai had already arrived with his people.

He felt somewhat nervous, but mostly excited.

If he could capture this White Lotus Saintess, who would dare look down on him again?

By then, even if his father was reluctant, he’d have to share power with him.

Perhaps he could even soar to new heights with this achievement and secure an official position for himself.

Although Great Yan’s official positions had been severely reduced, often becoming merely symbolic roles,

Positions with real power were still highly coveted.

For instance, Xiao Rong’s position as Minister of the Ministry of Justice, though not high in rank, commanded half the elite forces of the Capital City Six Gates, which was why people like Yan Guanhua held him in such high regard.

Just as Yan Zongtai was getting increasingly excited, Yan Yuhua, who had come along, spoke up.

"Brother, are you certain this Yang Lian’Er is that White Lotus witch?"

"Very likely. After all, she’s the only one who fits the criteria in recent years," Yan Zongtai replied.

"But if it really is her, do you think she would foolishly stay put waiting for us to capture her?" Yan Yuhua said.

Yan Zongtai’s expression froze as he realized his sister had a point.

"If I were this Yang Lian’Er, I would’ve hidden away long ago. Why would I wait until now?" Yan Yuhua was not optimistic about this mission.

And as she predicted, the Yang family compound was completely empty.

Looking at the vacant rooms, Yan Zongtai’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

If he had known earlier that Yang Lian’Er was the White Lotus witch, he should never have let her go.

Now the person was gone, and all his plans had come to nothing.

Just as Yan Zongtai was silently fuming, a commotion erupted outside.

Yan Zongtai frowned and shouted harshly, "What’s all that noise! Can’t you see I’m here? Gao Kai, throw them all out!"

As he spoke, he strode to the doorway, looked down, and his eyes instantly widened.

His father Yan Guanhua was standing in the courtyard with Master Xiao of the Ministry of Justice, his face showing a hint of anger.

Yan Zongtai hurriedly walked forward, descended the steps, and scurried up to them.

"Father!"

"What are you doing here?" Yan Guanhua frowned.

"I... I heard that this Yang Lian’Er was a witch from the Heartless Dao, so I quickly brought people over, only to find we were too late," Yan Zongtai said quietly.

"Fool! Is this your business to worry about? With Master Xiao here, is it your place to apprehend witches?" Yan Guanhua pretended to be angry as he scolded him.

Yan Zongtai dared not make a sound.

Xiao Rong, however, looked him over with interest, then said, "Family Head Yan, no need to say more. Your son meant well. Let’s quickly go inside and look around."

"Hmph, get to the back now."

Yan Zongtai felt as if he’d been granted amnesty and quickly retreated to the side.

Xiao Rong stepped up to the entrance, and just as he was about to enter, a woman suddenly appeared from around the corner of the corridor.

"Brother, I’ve checked everywhere, front and back, and there’s not a trace of anyone," Yan Yuhua said glumly, only then noticing the many people in the courtyard.

She saw her father standing in the yard with a stern expression and quickly shut her mouth in fright.

Xiao Rong smiled, "And this is...?"

"Oh, this is my daughter, Yan Yuhua! Yuhua, quickly pay your respects to Master Xiao!" Yan Guanhua said.

Yan Yuhua gave a slight curtsy. "Greetings, Master Xiao..."

Xiao Rong’s eyes brightened slightly as he smiled and nodded. "No need for formalities."

Yan Guanhua watched this exchange clearly from below and had a slight thought, but said nothing as he followed Xiao Rong into the house.

The room was empty except for some crude furniture.

Xiao Rong walked around the room, reached out to touch the table, and found a thin layer of dust had settled.

"It seems this witch left long ago. Could she have already left the city?" Yan Guanhua said.

Xiao Rong said nothing at first, then went to inspect the backyard. After searching the entire property, front and back, he said gravely, "I believe this witch is still in Dinghai City."

"Why?" Yan Guanhua asked with surprise.

"It’s simple. They didn’t leave in a hurry. All the arrangements are undisturbed, and even the doors and windows were carefully closed. This clearly indicates they intend to return."

"So I deduce they must have moved elsewhere temporarily to avoid the danger in North City."

Yan Guanhua’s eyes gradually brightened. "So you’re saying she’s likely still in the city?"

"Exactly. Even if they sensed trouble after the incident, it would have been too late to escape. Dinghai City is now as tight as an iron bucket due to my arrangements. She can’t fly away even with wings," Xiao Rong said confidently.

Yan Guanhua couldn’t help but get excited. "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s search the entire city."

To his surprise, Xiao Rong shook his head. "No, that would only alert her. I suspect Yang Lian’Er doesn’t yet know her identity has been exposed. If we use a different approach, we should be able to flush her out quite easily."

"You mean... using the underworld forces to find her?" Yan Guanhua said.

"Correct!" Xiao Rong’s smile was ice-cold.

"They couldn’t have moved without leaving a trace. If we use those street rats to inquire, we should get results quickly."

"Good, I’ll order people to investigate right away."

For someone of Yan Guanhua’s status, getting those street rats to look into something was extremely easy.

While the two men were talking, Yan Yuhua was watching very attentively from a distance, focusing especially on Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong was only in his thirties, but having been raised in privilege since childhood, he looked like he was in his twenties.

Combined with his aura of confidence and power over life and death, he was quite captivating, especially to women like Yan Yuhua, who couldn’t help but glance at him repeatedly.

As her father, Yan Guanhua naturally saw this clearly but showed no reaction on the surface.

Meanwhile, with the transmission of an order, all the ruffians and street rats in Dinghai City began to stir.

The Yan family and other major families had issued a reward: whoever could find the whereabouts of the blue-robed actress Yang Lian’Er would receive one hundred silver coins.