134: Chapter 134 Ghost Market, Heavenly Secrets Pavilion (4k)

In front of the wanted list, heads were bobbing in a dense crowd.

The onlookers were all discussing the people on the wanted list.

The conversation between the two did not attract anyone's attention.

"It's good that you know. Fortunately, your luck was good last night, otherwise it would have been bad."

Seeing his proper attitude, Lin Wan finally retracted her gaze with satisfaction.

"Let's go. There are too many people here; it's not a place for talking."

One after the other, the two squeezed out of the crowd, winding through the streets and alleys toward a remote market in the Outer City of the capital.

On the way, pedestrians gradually thinned out.

Lin Wan slowed her pace and lowered her voice.

"During last night's cleanup of the Black Crow Cult, there was a major blunder in the intelligence."

"It was originally thought to be just an ordinary cult stronghold with at most a few Rank Five martial artists, but who knew Ye Wuya was actually hiding Rank Four Peak strength and could even undergo demonization."

She paused, her eyes turning slightly cold.

"I received notice that the higher-ups are furious, suspecting there's a mole within Six Doors."

Chen Ran walked half a step behind, listening quietly.

"Commander Fan of the Demon Suppression Division personally gave the order for me to secretly investigate clues regarding the mole."

Lin Wan turned to glance at him, seeing Chen Ran's expression was calm without the slightest anomaly.

She secretly approved; Chen Ran was someone she had promoted herself, his background was clean and trustworthy.

During many exchanges, Lin Wan felt that it would be a waste for such a talented person to only be a Jailer.

Investigating a mole was not an honorable task to begin with.

It couldn't be publicized; otherwise, under the current situation of the Great Wei Court,

if even their own brothers became suspicious of each other, it would be extremely detrimental to Six Doors.

Chen Ran realized the situation.

No wonder the higher-ups liked to assign such offensive errands to Lin Wan.

With an illustrious family and deep background, she could investigate cases without taboos, completely unafraid of offending those old foxes in the court.

If it were anyone else, they would probably have been drowned in the moat halfway through the investigation.

Only someone like Lin Wan, with a strong sense of responsibility and justice, could ignore unfavorable factors and persist in the investigation with her original intention.

However, such traits were not necessarily a good thing in this era.

If he hadn't intervened, something unfortunate might have happened last time alone.

"How does Milady wish to investigate?" Chen Ran asked.

"Follow me and you'll know."

Half an hour later.

The two stopped in front of a dilapidated City God Temple.

The roadside was deserted, with only a few bare trees remaining.

This was a famous lawless zone in the capital, a place where all sorts of people from the Jianghu gathered.

Lin Wan went around to the back of the City God Temple with practiced ease, lifting a moss-covered stone slab to reveal a dark staircase leading downward.

"Put it on."

She handed over a pale Wuchang mask, while she herself donned a green-faced, fanged malevolent ghost mask.

"This is to prevent our identities from being exposed. Although we've hidden our identities this time, many people still recognize my face."

Listening to Lin Wan's explanation,

Chen Ran took the mask, fastened it to his face, and followed Lin Wan down the stairs.

After passing through a long corridor, his vision suddenly opened up.

It was a massive underground karst cave.

There was no sunlight, only the night-luminescent pearls embedded in the stone walls on both sides emitting a faint, cold light.

The air was filled with the smell of cheap cosmetics, blood, and moldy herbs.

The sides of the street were lined with stalls; most of the stall owners were wrapped in black robes and wearing masks, looking like lifeless statues.

The items on the stalls were a mixed bag.

Bloody weapons, unknown fragmented Cultivation Techniques, foul-smelling poisons, and even living people bound by iron chains.

This was the capital's Ghost Market.

It was also a dark corner untouched by the laws of Great Wei.

As the two walked to the entrance, two burly men with bulging muscles blocked their path.

"Stop. Who are you?"

"Here to scout the wind."

Lin Wan casually tossed out two ten-tael silver ingots.

The burly man weighed them, threw back two tokens, and stepped aside.

"Go on. Remember to come out before the hour of the Rat; after that, your safety is no longer our concern."

After the burly man gave the cold reminder, he spoke no more.

Chen Ran followed behind Lin Wan, his gaze sweeping over the stalls on both sides, his heart completely unruffled.

He had been to the capital's Ghost Market, or rather the black market, once before.

That black saber with unusual Materials was a treasure he had scavenged from here.

Therefore, Chen Ran was quite familiar with coming here.

The capital's Ghost Market only began at the hour of the Dog at dusk and lasted until the end of the hour of the Rat at night.

Everyone who wanted to enter the Ghost Market, regardless of their intent, needed to pay an entrance fee.

The two went deeper along the corridor.

"Milady, are we here at the Ghost Market to investigate the case?" Chen Ran was somewhat curious.

Don't Six Doors usually investigate cases through torture and following clues? Why come to this black market to join the fray?

Lin Wan shook her head and said in a low voice:

"The Ghost Market is just a cover. The place we're going is at the very end."

The two passed through the noisy market and walked straight to the deepest part of the cave.

A three-story wooden building rose from the ground.

It had upturned eaves, bucket arches, and beautifully carved beams and painted rafters.

The entire pavilion was built from precious Phoebe zhennan wood, emitting a faint fragrance.

Two large red lanterns hung at the door, and on the plaque, three large characters were written in a flamboyant style:

Tianji Pavilion.

In this dirty and messy Ghost Market, this pavilion was like a gold ingot dropped into a mud pit, completely out of place.

Chen Ran was slightly stunned to see this; the Ghost Market he had visited before didn't have such a building.

The scale of the Ghost Market Lin Wan brought him to was many times larger than the one he knew; it was likely an Advanced trading venue.

"Tianji Pavilion?" Chen Ran raised an eyebrow.

"The largest intelligence organization in the Jianghu," Lin Wan explained in a low voice. "They claim to be omniscient, don't involve themselves in court affairs, don't take sides, and only recognize money."

Chen Ran understood; they were just common information brokers.

He had thought Lin Wan had some clever investigative methods, but after all that, she planned to just spend money for answers.

Simple, crude, and effective.

The two stepped into the Tianji Pavilion.

The lobby was covered with a thick carpet, making footsteps silent.

Soothing incense burned in the air, making one unconsciously relax.

A middle-aged fat man in a silk robe, looking like a shopkeeper, came forward with a smile that suggested peace brings wealth.

"Two guests, are you here to buy information or sell information?"

"Buy," Lin Wan's voice was cold.

"Very well." The fat shopkeeper led the two to a booth. "The Tianji Pavilion's intelligence is divided into four grades: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. I wonder what the guests wish to ask?"

Lin Wan took a folded slip of paper from her sleeve and pushed it over.

"Investigate the people on this list, their financial transactions over the past half month, and the factions they've contacted in secret."

The fat shopkeeper unfolded the paper, glanced at it, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

"Guests, these are all prominent figures in the capital. This information won't be easy to investigate."

"Stop talking nonsense. Name your price." Lin Wan was wealthy and overbearing.

The fat shopkeeper held up one finger.

"Grade Yi intelligence, ten thousand taels of silver. Pay half as a deposit, and an answer will be given in seven days."

Ten thousand taels of silver.

Chen Ran's eyelid twitched.

Is this Tianji Pavilion committing highway robbery?

A Rank Seven County Magistrate in Great Wei only has an annual salary of a few hundred taels of silver. This ten thousand taels is enough to buy half a street of shops.

Lin Wan, however, didn't even blink, directly pulling out a thick stack of banknotes from her bosom and slapping them on the table.

"These are five thousand taels of banknotes from the Tongbao Bank, redeemable nationwide."

The fat shopkeeper verified the banknotes and tucked them into his sleeve with a smile.

"The guest is straightforward. In seven days, at this same hour, bring this wooden token to collect the information."

He handed over a red sandalwood token carved with cloud patterns.

Lin Wan took the token and turned to leave.

Leaving the Tianji Pavilion and exiting the Ghost Market,

returning to the sunlight, Chen Ran felt the air was much fresher.

Lin Wan stopped and pulled out another slip of paper from her bosom, handing it to Chen Ran.

"This is a copy of the list from just now."

Chen Ran took it and scanned it.

It was densely packed with a dozen names, including Copper-rank Constables from Six Doors, Assistant Directors from the Ministry of War, and even Captains from the City Defense Camp.

"The Black Crow Cult was wiped out last night, and the news of Ye Wuya's capture has already spread."

Lin Wan looked at him, her tone serious.

"If these people have a guilty conscience, they will definitely make a move in the next few days, either transferring assets or preparing to flee."

"Besides your duties at the Heavenly Prison, help me keep an eye on the people on the list. If you find any anomalies, report to me immediately."

Chen Ran put away the slip of paper.

"This subordinate understands."

...

...

Night, Heavenly Prison.

The candlelight flickered as if it would be blown out at any moment.

Chen Ran carried a food box, walking slowly through the dark and damp corridor.

He had run to the Ghost Market with Lin Wan in the morning and had to come back to continue his duties in the afternoon.

Being a worker was just that tough.

But for him, this was already part of his daily routine.

Checking in at fixed times and locations to maintain his involvement.

He only needed to wait for his cultivation to increase.

Just as he walked near the Jia-Zi cell, he heard a dense sound of footsteps.

Lin Wan, leading several elite Constables from Six Doors, walked over with large strides.

She had changed into a capable Flying Fish Robe, an embroidered spring saber at her waist, her face cold and stern.

"Open the door."

Lin Wan gave a cold order.

The Black Armor Guards standing at the door immediately pulled out keys and opened the three heavy steel locks.

*Click.*

The cell door was pushed open.

A strong smell of blood rushed to their faces.

After a day and a night, Six Doors was finally going to begin interrogating the opponent.

*Creak.*

After the cell door was pushed open, Ye Wuya was still half-kneeling in place, his head lowered, not looking up.

Chen Ran stood not far away with the food box, quietly acting as background scenery.

Lin Wan walked into the cell and looked down at Ye Wuya.

"Ye Wuya, stop playing dead."

Ye Wuya did not move.

Lin Wan gave a slight signal, and a Constable beside her stepped forward, unceremoniously kicking him in the ribs.

When these prisoners were sent to the prison, their Dantians were sealed and their Meridians broken.

All Internal Energy was suppressed and unusable; even if they still had the foundation of the Aperture Condensation Realm, their strength was far from what it used to be.

*Thump!*

Ye Wuya let out a muffled groan and slowly raised his head.

Under his messy hair, those eyes were bloodshot and filled with a Death Qi-ridden desolation.

"Six Doors..." His voice was raspy, like sandpaper rubbing against a table. "Kill me if you want, why all the talk."

Lin Wan sneered.

"Want to die? It's not that easy."

"I ask you, where did you learn those demonization methods?"

"The Black Crow Cult has been secretly recruiting in the capital these past few years. Who is behind you providing the money?"

The cell fell silent.

Only the crackling sound of the burning torches remained.

Ye Wuya stared at Lin Wan, suddenly baring his teeth and laughing silently.

Blood trickled down from the corners of his mouth, looking exceptionally hideous.

"What are you laughing at?" Lin Wan frowned.

"I'm laughing at your Six Doors, all a bunch of fools."

Ye Wuya gasped for air, his eyes full of mockery.

"You ask me where the demonization methods came from?"

He spoke coldly, his voice echoing in the empty cell.

"How one becomes a demon, doesn't your court know that itself?"

As soon as these words were spoken,

the cell instantly became deathly silent.

The interrogating Constables looked at each other, all stunned.

Standing in the distance, a glint flashed in Chen Ran's eyes.

He had long felt it was strange.

The Demon Suppression Division would escort some living Yao Beasts from outside every now and then, and these Yao Beasts would be taken away by the Demon-Slaying Squad after a while.

After those Yao Beasts left, they never appeared again.

No one knew what the Demon Suppression Division was up to down there.

Now, hearing Ye Wuya's meaning, his half-human, half-demon monster form was actually the court's doing?

Conducting demonization experiments on living people?

The waters of this Great Wei Court were even deeper than he had imagined.

"Nonsense!"

Lin Wan shouted sternly, interrupting Ye Wuya's words.

"Daring to implicate the court when death is at your doorstep, it seems you really don't want to live!"

Ye Wuya lay back down on the ground, closed his eyes, and no longer uttered a single word.

He knew he wouldn't survive;

saying those words, whether true or false, could at least disgust these court lackeys who prided themselves on justice.

Lin Wan stared at him intently for a moment, took a deep breath, and suppressed the shock in her heart.

"This matter is of great importance; I will report it truthfully to Commander Fan."

She turned to look at the Constables behind her.

"Watch him closely. Without my manual order, no one is allowed to come within half a step of the Jia-Zi cell!"

"Yes!"

Lin Wan hurriedly left with her people.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

Chen Ran carried the food box and walked to the cell door.

Through the gaps in the iron bars, he looked at Ye Wuya lying on the ground.

In his mind, the heavenly book of prison suppression flickered slightly.

[Prisoner: Ye Wuya]

[Realm: Aperture Condensation Realm Peak (Sealed)]

[Guilt Value: High]

[Extractable Technique: Thousand Crows Chaotic Burial (Top-tier Martial Art)]

After the others had left,

Chen Ran pushed a bowl of brown rice and a dish of pickles into the cell.

"Time to eat."

Ye Wuya did not move.

Chen Ran didn't care either and turned to leave.

Whether the court experimented on living people or the Black Crow Cult had a big figure backing them,

he didn't care about any of those messy affairs.

As long as time passed, he would eventually reach the Peak as the strongest.

...

...

Night enveloped the land, and the wind was low.

Under the dark clouds, in front of a seaport,

several squads of armored soldiers were engaged in a fierce battle with the people in front of them, weapons in hand.

"Kill!"

"Kill them all!"

Opposite them were over a dozen red-clothed cultists.

These red-clothed cultists had agile movement, kicking up several afterimages with every move they made.

The two sides were not on the same level of strength at all.

The martial arts of that group of red-clothed cultists were too powerful; even with a numerical disadvantage, they still held the upper hand.

In just a few minutes, that group of soldiers was beaten into a rout.

*Pfft.*

Suddenly, a man who looked like the leader of the soldiers spat out blood, clutched his chest, and fell.

Pei Jiu withdrew his blood-stained hands and spoke coldly:

"Surrender if you don't want to die."

Hearing the Elder of the opposite side speak, many soldiers also lost their will to resist and threw down their weapons.

Seeing this, Pei Jiu nodded with satisfaction.

This was already the third location their Red Lotus Holy Cult had seized; by taking this place, they had basically gained control of the entire Shenghai region.

Suddenly, a cult member ran from afar and whispered in Pei Jiu's ear:

"Milord, news has come from the capital..."