Knife splashing

Chapter 747 Misty Waves Pavilion by Daming Lake

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Shangzhao suddenly stood up, his face turning deathly pale.

"Who is this...?" Manager Qian paused for a moment and asked in a low voice.

Fatty Lin shook his head and said, "This is my brother, and also the son of Manager Kong."

"Oh."

Manager Qian immediately understood. He looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "This matter really caused a huge uproar just two days ago! The entire Jinan Prefecture was alarmed."

As he spoke, he looked at everyone and said, "I only heard this secondhand. That morning, as soon as the servant responsible for cleaning the ancestral hall opened the door, the Duke Yansheng was lying in the ancestral hall, and he was already cold."

"And the young man's father was lying beside him, not dead, but unresponsive..."

"The entire Confucius Mansion was in an uproar! As you all know, the Duke Yansheng's Mansion is descended from Confucius and holds a prestigious position. How could this matter be covered up? They immediately tried to take matters into their own hands, but for some reason, they brought the person to Jinan Prefecture for interrogation."

Upon hearing this, Kong Shangzhao swayed violently, his face turned pale, and his fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.

Li Yan calmly pressed down on his shoulder, then asked in a deep voice, "The person was also unconscious in the ancestral hall. If the murderer had already fled, didn't anyone notice anything suspicious?"

"Suspicious points?"

Manager Qian sighed, "It's not just this, there's much more!"

"Firstly, the Kong family has many skilled guards, and the ancestral hall is heavily guarded at night. Not even a mouse could sneak in, let alone a person. How did the murderer get in? How did he kill the person? And how did he escape unscathed? The constables of Jinan Prefecture searched all day but couldn't find a single trace of intrusion..."

"Secondly, how could Master Kong suddenly fall into a coma when he was perfectly fine? The coroner has examined him and found no signs of poisoning or external injuries. It's truly bizarre!"

"Thirdly, and this is the point that the Kong family is making the biggest fuss about. Everyone says that Manager Kong has a grudge against the grandson of the Duke of Yansheng, and that's why he had evil intentions to harm people. But if he really had the guts, would he have been forced to give up the shop?"

As he spoke, Manager Qian shook his head: "Anyway, this matter is too big and involves too many people, so the prefectural government doesn't dare to make a decision on its own. The various branches of the Kong family are arguing like enemies, all saying they want to get to the bottom of it."

"I heard that the prefect is in a terrible predicament and has no choice but to order that Manager Kong be placed under strict guard."

Upon hearing the words "closely guarded" and "heavily guarded prison," Kong Shangzhao could no longer suppress the pent-up emotions and grief in his chest. He abruptly stood up from his chair and exclaimed, "My father could never be the murderer! I have to see him! Release my father!"

Li Yan suddenly increased the pressure on his hand, pressing him down. "Calm down! That's the Jinan Prefecture government office. Rushing into the prison will only harm your father and yourself! This matter is far from simple; we need to plan this carefully!"

Those around him quickly tried to persuade him, and he finally calmed down.

After all, they are young and have little experience. They can remain calm and analyze other complex situations, but when it comes to their own, they find it difficult to control themselves.

Seeing their expressions, Manager Qian didn't interfere. However, after taking Fatty Lin out, he whispered, "Young Master Lin, please be careful. There's something fishy about this matter, and the situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang isn't good either."

"Don't worry, Lao Qian, I know."

After offering a word of comfort, Fatty Lin rubbed his face and turned to go into the room.

All eyes turned to Li Yan, since he was the one who had to make the decision in this matter.

Li Yan pondered and said, "This matter sounds problematic. The Kong family can carry out private punishments, but Manager Kong was sent to Jinan. There is probably an internal family struggle involved. We should not act rashly."

"You guys stay here for now, Lao Sha and I will go to Daming Lake to scout things out."

...............

As the summer rains subsided, misty vapor rose from the shores of Daming Lake at dusk.

The air, which was humid and stuffy during the day, was now moistened by the water, giving it a slightly cool feel.

When Li Yan and Sha Lifei stepped out of the Yuelai Inn, it was already dusk, but the entire lakeside was far more bustling than during the day.

"Wow! It's gotten lively after the rain!"

Shalifei was only wearing a coarse cloth short jacket, revealing his muscular chest, and breathing in the slightly damp air with the scent of lotus.

As he said, Jinan, which had been shivering in the rain during the day, seemed to have awakened.

The streets around the lake were bustling with pedestrians, shoulder to shoulder.

One lantern after another lit up: there were ever-burning gauze lanterns hung by officials at intersections and street pavilions, windproof paper lanterns hung under the eaves of various shops, and "wind-proof" lanterns carried by street vendors.

The scattered lights converge into a dazzling dragon, reflected on the lake's surface, shimmering with iridescent light.

Under the willows by the lake and along the lake embankment, all kinds of vendors have already set up their stalls.

Vendors selling seasonal fruits piled high with lotus pods, water chestnuts, and crisp, green melons. Vendors selling cold noodles, eight-treasure porridge, and tofu pudding called out their wares incessantly. Storytellers, puppeteers, acrobats, and magicians each occupied their own space, their drums and cymbals blaring, drawing crowds to stop and cheer.

Furthermore, the pleasure boats and painted barges were lit up, with colorful lanterns hanging from their bows and sterns, and the sounds of string and wind instruments could be faintly heard from the water, attracting tourists on the shore to crane their necks to watch.

Unlike other places, Jinan is a city with a strong literary atmosphere. Whether it is a shop or a house along the way, couplets are hung at the door, and no two are the same. They often attract groups of scholars to comment on them.

Of course, this is what ordinary people see.

In Li Yan's eyes, those figures who seemed to be casually leaning against the willow tree, squatting on the riverbank, or swaying at the edge of the lantern light and shadow had a deep and serious aura and sharp eyes. They were obviously spies or underworld agents who mingled around the dock.

It's not surprising, given Jinan's status as a port city, there must be many people from the martial arts world here.

"Is that the building?"

After walking for about half an hour, Shalifei pointed ahead.

But the brightest lights were on the lakeside, and a magnificent pavilion stood by the water.

The building has two stories, with flying eaves and brackets, and is painted in vermilion and gold. A row of large red lanterns hangs under the eaves, with the three gold-painted characters "Yanbo Tower" on them. It is particularly eye-catching even on the brightly lit lakeside.

Its area is so large that it far exceeds the surrounding buildings, no wonder it is a famous den of iniquity in Jinan.

The area in front of the building was bustling with activity, with ornately decorated carriages and sedan chairs parked along the way.

Officials, gentry, and merchants in brocade robes, as well as seemingly refined scholars holding folding fans, entered the place in an endless stream, greeted by beautiful and charming women of all kinds.

A sweet, cloying fragrance of cosmetics wafted through the air, clashing with the delicate scent of lotus leaves by the lake.

Li Yan nodded slightly, and the two of them mingled with the crowd and approached each other.

As soon as I arrived at the door, a wave of heat, a mixture of warm fragrance, the smell of alcohol, and sweat, hit me.

The pimp at the door, with his sharp eyes, noticed that although the two men weren't dressed in the most luxurious clothes, they had an extraordinary air about them. He put on a warm yet reserved smile and greeted them: "Gentlemen, is this your first time at Yanbo Tower? Do you know any girls? I can introduce you to some."

Shalifei waved his hand casually: "Stop talking nonsense, find me a quiet seat, and serve the best wine and food first! I heard your 'Dengzhou Laoshao' is quite good?"

"Alright! Gentlemen, please come upstairs!"

The pimp courteously led them up to the second floor.

Upon entering the building, the interior of Yanbo Tower was even more astonishing.

Compared to the noisy and crowded lobby downstairs, the second floor has a much more spacious and elegant layout.

In the center is a spacious hall, decorated with woven carpets, antique calligraphy and paintings, and mahogany furniture.

It wasn't the main performance time, but in a corner, several beautiful geishas were playing elegant tunes, their hands clasped around their pipa or guzheng.

The entire space is cleverly divided into numerous private rooms by carved wooden partitions that are more than half a person tall and light gauze curtains.

Through the half-drawn gauze curtains, the flickering lamplight revealed glimpses of people inside, clinking glasses and moving about.

Whether engaging in grand discussions or whispering secrets, all are hidden within the music of string and wind instruments.

The waiters carried gilded trays filled with food and wine, weaving through the aisles between the private rooms.

Their movements were nimble and their steps were light, all thanks to their well-trained training.

The pimp led the two to a private seat by the window.

The location is superb, offering views of the illuminated Daming Lake at night on one side and a panoramic view of most of the building's interior on the other. The private seating area is already furnished with cushioned low tables and the aroma of mugwort for repelling mosquitoes.

"Please have a seat, gentlemen. The food and wine will be served shortly." The pimp bowed and withdrew.

Shalifei sat down comfortably, picked up the warm towel on the table and wiped his face: "Finally, I can breathe! Yan-ge, what's next? Who should we contact?" Li Yan did not answer immediately. He took the towel from Shalifei and slowly wiped his hands while calmly observing the layout and flow of people inside the Yanbo Tower.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, he stopped what he was doing, and his expression became strange.

"What's wrong?" Shalifei asked quickly upon seeing this.

Li Yan shook his head slightly, "Old Sha, do you remember the Luo Lu family?"

"of course I remember."

Shalifei sighed, "The Left Councilor Lu Kang, back then he supported the old monkey Zhou Pan behind the scenes and almost drove us to our deaths. That old man was quite shrewd, but unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. In the end, he ended up with nothing, and the Lu family also fled to other places to seek refuge."

Li Yan nodded. "Look over there, who is that?"

Shalifei looked in that direction and saw a small banquet in full swing in the deepest hall.

Several tables were laden with seasonal delicacies: the famous sweet and sour Yellow River carp from Shandong, glistening and fragrant braised pork intestines, tender stir-fried shredded chicken with cucumber, and various exquisite snacks.

Seven or eight dancers dressed in sheer gauze were gracefully dancing in the room, their bodies supple and their flowing sleeves fluttering.

A group of guests who looked wealthy and powerful were clinking glasses and laughing loudly, while several heavily made-up women sat beside them, some covering their mouths and giggling, others urging them to drink.

Outside the hall stood several burly men, arms folded, their eyes scanning the entire area from time to time.

The man in the lead stood tall and straight, exuding an air of officialdom.

"Huh~"

Shalifei's eyes widened. "Isn't this Feng Ping, that kid?"

Back in Shanzhou, Lu Kang used himself as bait to return to his hometown, attracting many bandits. For some reason, the two sides once traveled together on the Zhongnan Ancient Road, and the two were very familiar with the Lu family's guard commander.

Seeing his appearance, Shalifei laughed, "This kid loves to show off, even wearing official boots when he goes out."

He then looked inside and clicked his tongue, saying, "Isn't that the second son of the Lu family? So he ran off to Jinan City. Look at his spirited appearance, it seems they've really made a comeback."

Of course, the two of them only sighed.

The other side has made a comeback; how could they be so easily fooled?

Even if Lu Kang were present, they wouldn't take him seriously.

"My lords! My lords!"

As they were talking, the pimp rushed over, his face beaming with a fawning smile, sweat beading on his cheeks, his back bent so low it almost touched his knees, his voice filled with utter fear: "Please forgive me, gentlemen, I was blind to your greatness and arranged seats for you in the outer hall! The manager said that you should move to the 'Listening to the Waves Pavilion' on the top floor, which is the quietest and best-viewing private room in our establishment."

Shalifei chuckled, "Oh, you guys have pretty good eyesight."

Li Yan remained calm, merely nodding slightly without uttering a word.

He knew perfectly well that once he entered this branch of the Yan Clan, he would be recognized sooner or later.

Upon reaching the Tingtao Pavilion on the top floor, I found it to be indeed bright and clean.

Through the carved wooden window, the shimmering waves of Daming Lake are fully visible, and the gentle evening breeze dispels the noise downstairs.

The private room was tastefully furnished and filled with the delicate fragrance of sandalwood. The pimp carefully served the finest tea and seasonal fruits before leaving as if granted a pardon.

A moment later, a woman in her forties, dressed in a dark purple silk jacket, still charming, swayed in. She had a friendly yet measured smile on her face, and her eyes, which seemed to have hooks, swept over Sha Lifei before finally settling on Li Yan with a sharp, restrained gaze.

She waved for the two maids following behind her to leave, then turned and closed the door. Only then did she smile broadly and respectfully cup her hands, saying, "I am 'Jinping' of Yanbo Tower, the leader of the Qilu branch of the Golden Swallow Sect. I greet Young Hero Li and Hero Sha."

"Thank you for your trouble." Li Yan nodded slightly.

"Young Master Li, you're too kind."

She acted as if they were old friends, personally pouring tea and saying, "I received Elder Su's message by carrier pigeon a long time ago. These are the things you two wanted, they're all here."

As he spoke, he took out two letters sealed with sealing wax from his wide sleeves and presented them with both hands.

Li Yan frowned slightly. "So many?"

Jinping hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Young Master Li, there are two letters."

"The thicker letter on top contains rumors and information circulating overtly and covertly in the vicinity of Jinan Prefecture and the martial arts world of Shandong over the past six months. The thinner letter below is the one you specifically instructed me to write about... Mount Tai."

"Elder Su said that you will definitely need it."

"Oh, Senior Su is indeed very thoughtful."

Li Yan gave a compliment, then opened the thick envelope.

The paper was covered with entries written in tiny, neat characters, clearly indicating that it had been organized.

Jinping patiently explained from the side, "The most important thing in the Qilu region recently is the 'opening of the seas'."

"Since the imperial court lifted the sea ban and established ports, several large merchant guilds along the coast, especially the newly emerging 'Grand Canal and Sea Joint Shipping Guild' and 'Donglu Merchant Guild' in Dengzhou and Laizhou, have been incredibly generous. They have spent a lot of money and offered huge profits to invite many famous masters in the Qilu region, and even some senior figures who have been in seclusion for many years, to take charge."

"Some are escorting caravans and protecting ships from foreign powers; others are stationed in newly built workshops and warehouses to guard important locations. These days, the local strongmen in Jinan Prefecture are having a hard time. They've lost their experts, and there are often outsiders causing trouble in their territories."

"Even at the docks on the outskirts of Jinan, disputes have increased several times compared to previous years. People are fighting over water transport, warehousing, and bodyguard business, and they're constantly at each other's throats."

Shalifei stroked his chin and chuckled, "Those maritime merchants are certainly willing to invest. Tsk, they've paved the way with gold and recruited experts; it seems they've made quite a bit of money at sea."

Jinping nodded in agreement: "What Master Sha said is true. There are a few other scattered incidents, such as the second-in-command of the 'Five Tigers of Jinan' being ambushed and killed by unknown people at the Yellow River ferry, and the murderer has not been found to this day; the new abbot of the lower temple of Qingxu Temple in Laoshan got into a conflict with the local gang, and in the end, the Xuanmen intervened and resolved it; and in the past month, there have been strange things happening on the canal. It is said that several grain ships sailing at night saw water ghosts in the middle of the night, and the whole crew was terrified..."

"These are all just rumors, but I've written them down for your reference, Young Master Li."

Li Yan quickly browsed through the remaining entries, which were scattered records of gang fights, vendettas, and novel outsiders, with no apparent direct connection.

He handed the thick scroll to Shalifei for a closer look, while he himself opened the thin scroll about Mount Tai.

Jinping's voice was lowered even further, "As for Mount Tai..."

“Young Master Li, it’s not that we’re not paying attention, it’s just that this place is different from other places. It’s a sacred site of Taoism, the place where emperors of past dynasties performed the Fengshan ceremony. It has its own rules and regulations. Even the yamen runners and sentries of Jinan Prefecture don’t dare to approach Daizongfang, let alone go deep into the core area where Taoist temples and palaces are concentrated.”

"Our Yan Clan's spies here can only gather information from the outside."

She paused briefly to gather her thoughts: "But according to the intelligence we've gathered, there are three unusual points."

"Firstly, the security at Dai Temple is much tighter than in previous years, with more unfamiliar Taoist priests on duty, and the rules for pilgrims are also stricter. Secondly, in the past two or three months, several respected elderly Taoist priests and temple keepers have suddenly disappeared, claiming to be in seclusion or returning to their hometowns for retirement, and new people have taken over, all unfamiliar faces..."

"Thirdly, and most strangely, about half a month ago, a rumor began to circulate in the inns and tea stalls of Daizong Town and Hongmen area at the foot of Mount Tai. It was said that at night, one could sometimes hear a faint rumbling sound, like drumming or thunder, coming from deep within Mount Tai, which shook the windowpanes slightly, as if something big was happening underground."

"Some say it's heavenly soldiers and generals performing martial arts, while others say it's the wrath of the Lord of Mount Tai... This matter is mysterious and has no basis, but it's widely circulated."

The Lord of Mount Tai will be replaced!
Li Yan immediately thought of the information Erlang Zhenjun had given him in front of the Two Realms Mountain in the Dharma Realm.

It seems there really is a problem, but to find out, I guess I'll have to go there in person.

Thinking of this, he put away the intelligence report, then looked at Jinping with a serious expression and said, "There's something else. I didn't want to trouble you, but it's a bit urgent..."

He then recounted what had happened, asking, "How much does the Golden Swallow Sect know about this matter?"

Mentioning Manager Kong, Jinping's professional smile vanished, replaced by a look of seriousness and hesitation. She glanced instinctively at the door and waved for the two maids to retreat to the porch outside to stand guard.

Upon hearing this, Jinping's expression also turned serious. "Young Master Li, I do know something about this matter... but the waters run deep."

"The Duke Yansheng died suddenly in the ancestral hall of the Kong family. Manager Kong was unconscious beside him. Because someone in the ancestral hall testified that he had a major feud with the Duke Yansheng's grandson, Kong Shang'an, after the incident, Kong Shang'an's faction immediately claimed that Manager Kong was the one who committed the crime in revenge."

Li Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "The feud is true. But... just because of this, to dare to kill the current Duke Yansheng in the heavily guarded Confucius Ancestral Hall? That's far too far-fetched and reckless."

"Is it possible that Manager Kong is still alive, or is someone else pulling the strings?"

"Young Master Li, you have such discerning eyes."

Jinping nodded, looked around, and sighed, "Actually, it's all for the position of Duke Yansheng!"

(End of this chapter)