"It's actually this thing?"

Hearing this, Li Yan was somewhat surprised, but also much relieved.

Ye Fashan was truly renowned, a great figure of the Mystical Sect in the Tang Dynasty, who lived through the reigns of Gaozong, Zetian, and Zhongzong for fifty years, frequently summoned into the palace, later serving as Minister of Ronglu under Ruizong and being granted the title Duke Yue.

The Da Li Bronze Bell was said to have been forged by him, surrounded by many legends, and within the entire Taixuan Orthodox Sect, it was one of the top Magic Artifacts.

Zhou Yinyao went on, "This treasure can both suppress and seal. When the Dragon Offering Ceremony is held, the commotion will be immense, and the demon Lai Yin will certainly use spells to interfere. With this treasure, we can ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly."

"The Jinling Mysterious Sect has already agreed and will fully cooperate and dispatch reinforcements. But there are many powerful Jianmu Demons, and it's possible an Earth Immortal will come to cause trouble. This old man will be presiding over the ceremony and will have no time for other matters; at that time, I must ask Young Hero Li to take action and intimidate them."

Li Yan understood immediately.

He had been thinking that, with Zhou Yinyao's status in the Mystical Sect, even if he feared Li Yan might cause problems, he could easily avoid him and have someone else deliver the message. There was no need to come in person.

What he truly wanted was to borrow the power of a living Yin messenger to intimidate Earth Immortal–level experts.

This invitation from the Golden Swallow Sect was to play the go-between.

"All right."

Li Yan nodded. "As for Fatty Lin and the others…"

Before he could finish, Zhou Yinyao interrupted, "This poor Daoist does not speak falsehoods. Forcing them to release the prisoners is possible, but human greed is hard to quell. If the Lin Family does not find the real culprit and clear their name, once the matter in Jinling is over, it will still be a hidden danger in the end."

"What you say is reasonable, Daoist."

Having said that, Li Yan rose directly to his feet. "Rescuing them brooks no delay. I'll skip the meal. Thank you for your hospitality. When the Dragon Offering Ceremony takes place, I will act."

They were all using each other; there was no need to keep up this hypocritical politeness.

"Mm."

Zhou Yinyao's expression was calm. He looked behind him and gave a slight nod.

The female Demon Hunter Wang Lu immediately raised her hand. "Young Hero Li, please follow me."

Murong Yan quickly stood as well, seeing the two of them out of Qiyuan Building, and only after returning did she finally relax, smiling as she clasped her hands in salute. "Congratulations, Immortal. The Twelve Primordial Spirits have no ordinary methods. With their assistance, the great matter can be accomplished. Afterward, Immortal will surely be the living Buddha of ten thousand families."

Zhou Yinyao gazed at the sky outside the window and let out a soft sigh:

"What this poor Daoist seeks is merely to preserve his own life…"

......

Night was as dark as ink; Jinling City lay silent beneath a murderous chill.

Li Yan followed Wang Lu, threading through streets and alleys by the scant starlight.

Wang Lu's steps were swift and soundless; she was clearly very familiar with Jinling's streets. After winding left and right, avoiding several squads of Camp Soldiers patrolling with lanterns, they finally arrived near the South City's Wuding Gate.

As for Li Yan, he quietly made a hand sign.

The few figures hidden in the darkness atop the roofs behind them continued to follow.

Even though terms had been agreed upon, he still had to guard against a trap.

Soon, a heavily guarded residence emerged from the night.

High walls and deep courtyards, ferocious stone lions flanking the gate. On the lintel, the plaque reading "Yingtian Prefecture" gleamed coldly in the weak lantern light.

Though not as magnificent as the Central Six Ministries lining the Imperial City Imperial Road, as the highest local administrative center in Jinling, its authority was evident. Within the front gate could be vaguely seen the outline of the ceremonial gate; to the east and west should be the Land God Temple and the prison.

Wang Lu did not take the main gate, instead circling to a side gate on the west.

The Government Official on duty here had clearly been informed. After examining a Token in Wang Lu's hand carved with a flying swallow, he silently pulled open the heavy wooden door.

A wave of cold air, mixed with the smell of mildew, blood, and despair, rushed out—it was the area of the government office's prison.

Li Yan's brows knitted slightly as he followed Wang Lu and the Prison Chief in at a brisk pace.

Passing through a narrow, dim corridor lined on both sides with thick wooden bars, they finally stopped before a cell in the deepest part.

Inside the cell, Fatty Lin, Kong Shangzhao, and a young Lin Family disciple with a deathly pale face were all huddled on the pile of straw in the corner.

In the dim light, he could see that in just a few days of imprisonment, Fatty Lin had clearly grown emaciated. His once plump cheeks had sunk, his eye sockets were hollow, and his eyes were dull.

All of them wore special shackles, with talisman needles stabbed into several acupoints on their bodies.

This was a common method used by the government, called the "Cutting Vein Technique," designed specifically to deal with members of the Mystical Sect. Once they tried to exert force or use spells, all the meridians in their bodies would convulse in pain.

A spark of anger rose in Li Yan's eyes. He called softly, "Fatty Lin!"

Hearing the voice, Fatty Lin jerked his head up. A sudden light burst forth in his cloudy eyes as he rasped, "Yan… Brother Yan!?"

He struggled to stand, but from weakness and the shackles he stumbled.

Kong Shangzhao and Kuai Dayou, who had been dozing, also woke in surprise and delight.

The Prison Chief quickly opened the cell door and spoke in a low voice, "Hurry! Don't make a sound. By orders, I can only let these three go. The others… we still have to wait for Lord Prefect's decision."

At this, Li Yan couldn't be bothered to waste words. He stepped forward into the cell and pressed his palm down in rapid, precise bursts on the three sets of shackles.

Clatter, clatter, clatter—

The shackles split apart, and all the talisman needles in their bodies popped out.

"You…"

The Prison Chief panicked at the sight; these items were not cheap.

But before he could finish, Wang Lu cut him off with a wave, signaling him not to speak.

This female Demon Hunter was no fool. She could see the fire in Li Yan's heart. The hard-won agreement could not be jeopardized over such trivialities.

Fatty Lin staggered to his feet. His gaze swept over the other cells, meeting the despairing, numb, or envious eyes of the other Lin Family disciples. His heart sank, but he knew this was not the time to cause complications, so he held his tongue.

"Let's go!" Li Yan ordered decisively.

The three were led out of the cell, and once again they passed through that gloomy corridor. As they left the west side gate of the government office, they could not help but gulp down the fresh air.

All along the way, everyone remained silent.