Chapter 1547: Chapter 789: Chaos in the Night

In the back hall of the Jinling Captain’s Office.

The flickering candle cast long shadows of Li Yan, Long Yan’er, Kuai Dayou, and others on the cold stone wall.

Inside the room, apart from the Chief of Criminal Punishment from the Capital’s Xuan Sacrificial Office, Qiu Mingyuan, there were also several sideline members of the Lin Family. It was evident that Qiu Mingyuan did not break his promise; although these people were still temporarily detained, their clothes were clean and tidy, and their previous injuries had been bandaged.

Summoned for overnight interrogation, these sideline members were pale, their eyes full of terror.

"Young Master, we are truly innocent."

Faced with Fatty Lin’s relentless questioning, the few individuals trembled internally.

Having narrowly escaped death, they certainly didn’t want to be thrown back into prison.

"Distinguished officials, please see clearly!"

A slightly older Lin Family youth clasped his hands in plea, "Ever since Lin Yaozu took power, he monopolized the account books and the keys to the storeroom, we... we didn’t even get the chance to review them. Besides, this is an offense punishable by beheading, how could we dare to get involved?"

"Don’t be afraid."

Li Yan reassured them and asked solemnly, "The matter concerning Lin Yaozu has been investigated, and you are not involved. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here."

"You were summoned to clarify, do you know what else those people did during their time in Jinling besides colluding with demons to create chaos?"

"Think carefully!"

Fatty Lin echoed alongside, appearing stern but actually trying to save these clan members.

These sideline members, capable of being dispatched to run the shops, were no fools. Hearing this, they exchanged glances, all furrowing their brows in deep thought.

"There was indeed something strange..."

One of them frowned, "I was slapped by that new Manager, so I’ve been secretly watching his movements and vaguely remember that for a period, he frequently withdrew large amounts of silver, claiming it was for ’repairing the ancestral hall’ and ’purchasing rare materials.’ The accounts were ambiguously written, and the actual destination... even the second shopkeeper had no right to inquire."

Li Yan sternly pursued, "When withdrawing money, did you see any unfamiliar faces?"

Another sideline member suddenly recalled something, "Once! I was running an errand to the accounts room for Third Uncle when I ran into a few strangers dressed as craftsmen leaving through the side door."

"The leader was missing half an ear, his fingers unnaturally large and scary, with a strange wooden box strapped to his waist that looked... like a miniature ink marker? The Manager was obsequiously seeing them off, a thick stack of silver notes tucked in his chest!"

"Half an ear? Miniature ink marker?"

Kuai Dayou’s face changed suddenly, slamming the table, "I know this bastard, ’Deaf Lu Ban’ Chen Que Shou! He’s one of those wanted rogues among the Jiangnan Mysterious Sect craftsmen!"

His face was filled with disgust, as he spoke, "They’re a group of demons dressed as craftsmen! Specializing in the harmful Suppression Skill detailed in the Lu Ban Book, such as the ’thousand-pound gate,’ ’Soul Hanging Nail,’ ’Five Ghost Transport Formation.’ Harming employers and deceiving wealthy households are everyday occurrences for them!"

"And relying on their knowledge of mechanical wonders, they often collaborate with the equally lawless Hidden Treasure Men from the Tanyou Lineage, engaging in tomb raiding and Dragon Energy theft!"

"Their misdeeds bring the wrath of the people down on us!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, indignant.

Li Yan listened, his eyes flashing with brilliance, "The Lin Family’s huge funds, raising these vile Dao failures and Hidden Treasure Men... are definitely not simple! They’re proficient in Lu Ban’s Suppression Skill and Hidden Treasure’s excavating Evil Technique, they must be planning something!"

Sha Lifei also stroked his chin, contemplating, "Thousand Households Tian can access many military defense and city preparation maps, do you think his discovery of this matter led to his fatal catastrophe?"

Kuai Dayou gritted his teeth, "That’s right! It must be so! Thousand Households Tian argued with Captain Zhou in the camp, mentioning the clan members in the village... perhaps he wanted to trace the root of the evil skill’s spread or prevent a crucial node from being destroyed, leading to ’Lin Zhongweng’ using that evil wind and demon to silence him!"

"It’s possible."

Li Yan nodded, "According to Zhou Dayong, those people feigned intent to bribe Thousand Households Tian, tricking him, indicating malicious intent from the start, if not this matter, they must have known an essential secret."

Sha Lifei smiled bitterly, "But now Thousand Households Tian is dead, and those demons in Jinling have long fled without a trace, the clues are probably broken."

Li Yan spoke solemnly, "There is no wall in the world without cracks, they can be found."

He had a premonition that this matter was of significant importance, even more crucial than the plans here in Jinling; otherwise, those demons wouldn’t risk exposure to take immediate action.

After sending back the Lin Family disciples, Qiu Mingyuan, who had been silently observing from the side, finally stepped forward and clasped his hands, "Young Hero Li, thank you."

Some words need not be spoken too clearly.

Qiu Mingyuan had many reasons to be grateful.

Firstly, he had just stated his intention not to concern himself temporarily with those aristocratic officials, some words had been passed on, and those fellows secretly discussed countermeasures.

These people were inherently detestable, but what shocked him more was having ears within his own ranks; Li Yan subtly invited him to listen, outrightly hinting.

Secondly, the news Li Yan probed.

Japan’s silver mine!

Though overseas, the court has a prohibition, individuals cannot privately mine gold, silver, copper, mint currency; if they succeed, secretly returning, impacting the local salt grain prices, the consequences could be enormous.

Listening to him entirely, the results naturally have to be borne by him.

Unknowingly, he has walked through the Ghost Gate.

Qiu Mingyuan recalled Pei Zongti’s reminder before leaving, to cooperate more with Li Yan.

He hadn’t defied orders, but he didn’t take it seriously either. Hence, he continued to operate according to his own logic, almost falling into a significant pit.

Thinking of this, Qiu Mingyuan said seriously, "Young Hero Li, rest assured, none of them can escape; they seek death themselves, and no one can save them!"