It's actually this guy...

Li Yan felt a surge of doubt in his heart.

He wasn't surprised that the other party was recorded in ancient texts like the "Immortal Chronicles," as he has witnessed a lot, even establishing a rapport with Immortal Master Erlang.

What puzzled him was: what was this guy doing in Jinling?

According to the previous bandits' confession, this Earth Immortal was clearly being manipulated or feared the Jianmu Organization, thus revealing information before hurriedly leaving.

Logically, he should have fled far away, yet he came to the perilous place of Jinling...

Gazing at the distant Qiyuan Building, a hint of brilliance flashed in Li Yan's eyes.

He had a premonition that maybe there was a twist to the situation.

After all, he had already accepted the task, and there was no urgency. With his increased authority in the Yin Bureau, he wouldn't be punished for acting, so he decided to see what the other party intended...

Thinking this, he strode towards Qiyuan Building, extending his palm to make a gesture.

Hundreds of meters away, Wang Daoxuan stood on the rooftop, forming the Yang Jue sign, exercising his Divine Skills. With exceptional Eye Power, he clearly saw Li Yan's gesture.

"There's something unusual inside the building, but don't act rashly."

He turned to look beside him, where Sha Lifei, who was setting up firearms, nodded slightly.

Given the precarious situation in Jinling City, they naturally felt uneasy letting Li Yan face danger alone, so they had split into two teams for external support.

Elsewhere, Li Yan had arrived at the front door.

The hooker welcoming guests outside saw him and immediately came running, nodding and bowing.

"This gentleman, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, a woman walked out from the door, interrupting coldly:

"Step aside!"

"Yes, Miss Wang."

The hooker showed a surprised expression, said nothing more, and avoided them.

Li Yan looked at the woman before him.

She wasn't dressed like one from a brothel, but instead wore black attire, with a bamboo armor vest across her upper body. Each bamboo slice emitted a metallic sheen, densely engraved with Blood Talismans.

Not exactly beautiful, but with a spirited look, she was short yet stood straight.

Li Yan was very familiar with this attire.

Demon Hunter!

However, compared to the fierceness of Northern Demon Hunters, this woman appeared more refined, with weapons switched to a row of Flying Blades, firearms, and various pouches at her waist.

"I am Wang Lu. Young Hero Li, please come inside."

The woman's face was expressionless, yet she stepped aside, raising her hand.

Why was a Demon Hunter acting as a bodyguard?

Though curious, Li Yan didn't ask much and followed her inside the building.

Upon entering the doors of Qiyuan Building, clamor and a warm scent hit him immediately.

His eyes were drawn to an exceptionally spacious "Running Horse Building" style courtyard, quite lavish for the prized land by Qinhuai River.

Two-tiered corridors encircled the space, with exquisitely crafted crimson lacquered balustrades. The beams and ridges were adorned with intricate Su-style paintings, and the ground was paved with smoothly polished bricks and stones that reflected light.

In the courtyard center, a stage elevated over a foot from the ground was performing.

On stage, performers forgoing heavy makeup were not singing Kun Opera but a man and woman pair of artists. The man sounded a cloud board while the woman held an erhu, singing in authentic Jinling dialect with a lively tune full of ups and downs.

"Cloud board rings, strings plucked, hear my chatter..." The female artist's voice was crisp, carrying distinct folk flavor, "... Pirates wreak havoc, panic-stricken at Jinling's battlements. Don't panic or fear, for there are heroes and warriors... oh my, safeguarding this prosperous Six Dynasties, ten-mile Qinhuai home!"

This was the locally unique folk singing of Jinling called "Bai Bureau."

The "Bai Bureau" lyrics were both fitting and filled with mockery and satire. The audience sitting below were mostly wealthy merchants, literati, and officials, some listening intently, some clapping in applause, and some furrowing brows, likely finding the straightforward reflection of current events displeasing.

The air mixed the aroma of tea, wine, and cosmetics, along with a refined fragrance of "Yuhua Tea." Waiters carried exquisite "Eight Wonders of Qinhuai" tea snacks through the crowd briskly.

Li Yan's gaze swept over this lively scene without pause.

The female Demon Hunter named Wang Lu guided him past the bustling courtyard towards a quieter area along the corridor.

Along the way, they passed several elegant rooms curtained with Xiang Consort Bamboo Curtains, with faint shadows whispering inside.

Ultimately, they stopped before an inconspicuous framed door.

The door was made of "chicken wing wood," with densely feather-like patterns.

She creaked open the door, signaling Li Yan to enter.

Inside was a serene and quiet chamber, starkly contrasting the external noise and glitz. Hanging on the wall was a water-ink "Jinling Scenic Map," with a blue-and-white porcelain vase in the corner holding several understated seasonal flowers.

On a redwood Eight Immortals table, a banquet was set up, steaming, fragrant, shining with oil. Dishes like the glossy and luscious Jinling Salted Duck, enticing red-braised lion heads, and golden crispy squirrel fish showcased distinctive local flavors.

However, Li Yan's gaze only briefly swept over the feast before locking onto the two waiting beside the table.

To the right stood a middle-aged woman with dignified allure, probably around forty.

She was well-maintained with refined features, dressed in an autumn-hued long robe, with intricate "Phoenix in Peony" patterns woven in the brocade, her black hair styled into a "Peony Head," and a slanting Golden Swallow Hairpin set with turquoise and ruby.

The swallow's head clutches a bead, wings poised to fly, marking the emblem of the Golden Swallow Sect.

To the left was an elderly Taoist, hair and beard white, figure slim, wearing a plain cyan Daoist robe so modest it seemed austere compared to the lavish chamber and sumptuous feast.

Most striking was the large old gourd tied at his waist.

The gourd was dark brown, smooth, evidently aged, polished with a rich patina, its surface carved with a bold, ancient "boil" character, strokes strong and vigorous.