Knife splashing

Chapter 748 Night Raid on the Prison
really!

Upon hearing that it was for the position of Duke Yansheng, Li Yan and Shalifei exchanged a glance.

This is consistent with their previous guesses.

The madam, Jinping, was a shrewd woman. She glanced at the two men but pretended not to notice and continued, "The title of Duke Yansheng is not just an empty name. As Young Hero Li knows, because of the incident with the Golden Horde Wolf Kingdom, although the main Kong family still has the hereditary title of Duke Yansheng, the legitimate bloodline has been broken for several generations."

"Now that this Duke is getting old, he has already caused unrest among the various branches of the family. His death is like pulling out the stake that was holding down the snakes, and the intricate web of the Kong family has been exposed. The source of the power struggle lies in the interests involved behind this title."

"That's the control over the ancestral temples and lands of Confucian scholars in Shandong and even Jiangbei. The annual income alone is like mountains of gold and seas of silver!"

"really."

Li Yan asked in a deep voice, "Which parties are vying for power now?"

"Young Master Li, please wait a moment."

Jinping curtsied, turned and left, returning shortly with a brocade box in her hand.

After opening it, she took out some documents and said as she looked at them:

"Let's start with Kong Zhenyuan's branch. He was the eldest son of the old Duke Yansheng, but he was arrogant because he was considered to be of legitimate blood. His son, Kong Shang'an, was disliked by the clan for his violent nature. When the old Duke Yansheng was alive, he had a lot of restrictions on him and his son. He thought that after the Duke died, the title would be rightfully his. However, Kong Zhenlin, the highest-ranking official in the Kong family, was already dissatisfied with him."

"Kong Zhenlin spread rumors that when the Duke Yansheng was alive, he intended to let Kong Zhenwen, a member of a collateral branch with a reputation for virtue, inherit the title. Although Kong Zhenwen was from a collateral branch, he had a tutor and a minister in the capital to support him, and he also had connections with merchants from Qingzhou. He had connections in Jinan City from the government office to the garrison, and he had a very good reputation among officials."

"It's mainly these two sides that are fighting."

Shalifei asked in confusion, "If they're arguing, why are they dragging Manager Kong into it?"

Li Yan also asked, "Which side is protecting Manager Kong?"

Jinping replied, "It's from Kong Zhenyuan's lineage."

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan and his companion were both somewhat incredulous.

Kong Zhenyuan's son, Kong Shang'an, was the one who had a feud with Kong Shangzhao, forcing the latter to flee to the capital for refuge.

Manager Kong is the prime suspect in this matter, and logically speaking, they should be the ones who most want to kill him.

There must be something fishy about why they're protecting it now.

Sure enough, Jinping explained, "Originally, Manager Kong's life was in danger, but as Kong Zhenwen's faction exerted its power, the struggle for the position became the top priority, and the death of the Duke of Yansheng became secondary."

"That night, the Duke Yansheng died suddenly in the ancestral hall. It is true that there were heavy guards at midnight. However, Li Qi, the 'Shadowless Kick' worshipper in Kong Zhenlin's mansion, took leave from the mansion that very night and disappeared without a trace. In addition, the Duke's chest wound was so piercing and fatal. The technique was clean and efficient, with very little bleeding. This is something that Manager Kong, a mere merchant, could not have done."

"Kong Zhenyuan seized on this matter, saying that Kong Zhenlin sent people to commit violence in order to compete for the position of Duke Yansheng, so even though he had a grudge against Manager Kong, he could only hold his nose and protect him."

"Just then, Master Lu Hongyuan, the head of Mingde Martial Arts School, also spoke up, saying that the murderer must be found out, otherwise no one can even think about getting the position of Duke Yansheng."

"The Kong family can still exert its power today because of two reasons: first, the Kong family has a thousand-year-old lineage, and second, this Grandmaster Lu. Therefore, no one dares to cause any more trouble and can only take him to Jinan Prefecture to wait for the matter to be investigated."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan and Sha Lifei both breathed a sigh of relief.

Given the current situation, with Manager Kong imprisoned, both sides must protect him; otherwise, if he dies, it's hard to guarantee that the other side won't try to pin the blame on them.

Similarly, as long as the murderer is identified, no matter who it is, Manager Kong will be able to escape punishment.

"Thank you, senior."

Thinking of this, Li Yan and his companion got up to take their leave.

"Hahaha…"

Jinping covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "Young Master Li, what's the rush? I've heard that you're a top scholar in the brothels. I've specially informed several girls to turn down their clients and wait for you. I'll call them over right now."

Li Yan's eyelids twitched slightly. "No, I have other matters to attend to."

Shalifei, on the other hand, watched the spectacle with a wicked grin on his face.

"That's fine."

Seeing that Li Yan was in a hurry to leave, Jinping pretended to be helpless and said, "Young Master Li is very busy, and I dare not disturb you, but there is something you must take to heart."

"We at Golden Swallow Sect have already spread the word about the Twelve Zodiacs heading south. Many people want to contact us, all offering generous rewards and wielding considerable influence in the region. You should definitely take on a case when you have some free time, lest others laugh at Golden Swallow Sect for being unreliable."

"That's natural."

This was a collaboration that had been agreed upon long ago, so Li Yan naturally nodded in agreement.

……

When they left Yanbo Tower, it was already late at night.

The streets were sparsely populated with ordinary people, and even many of the lights in brothels and taverns had been turned off.

"Brother Yan, what should we do?" Shalifei asked.

Li Yanqian said, "Let's go back first. Brother Kong must be getting impatient. Tell him the situation, and we'll think of a way tomorrow to see if we can visit Manager Kong in prison and ask him about the situation."

After saying that, the two quickly left and disappeared into the darkness.

Long after they left, a window on the second floor of Yanbo Tower was opened a crack.

A gaze returned from the gap.

"Young master, it really is Li Yan!"

Inside the elegant pavilion, Lu family guards commander Feng Ping respectfully bowed.

The current head of the Lu family, Lu Xiaowu, formerly the second young master, was sitting in a grand chair, wiping his hands with a hot towel, his face full of fatigue. Upon hearing this, he shook his head and sighed, "People say that a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation, and this is certainly true."

"Think about Li Yan. When he first entered Xianyang, he was just a greenhorn. Even Zhou Pan could easily crush him. But in just a few years, he became famous throughout the land, while my Lu family is struggling to make a living and has to be subservient to everyone."

"Young master is too modest."

Feng Ping quickly bowed, his eyes full of admiration. "Young Master, since you came to Jinan, you are unfamiliar with the place and the people. Those who were kind to you when you were alive have all turned their backs on you and even tried to seize the Lu family's assets."

"Young Master's strategic brilliance and ingenious plans have enabled the Lu family to establish itself, and no one dares to underestimate him!"

"Ultimately, it's just not good enough for the public..."

Listening to Feng Ping's flattering words, Lu Xiaowu remained unmoved. Sipping his tea, he said thoughtfully, "Although we have established ourselves in Jinan and resolved those troubles, we still have to be mindful of others' feelings."

"I've gone into business, and with my father having been demoted, it's impossible for me to become an official in the court. I've paid a great price today so that I can go to the Prince of De's residence tomorrow. If I can't get his protection, those businesses will be a disaster."

Feng Ping's eyes darted around, and he whispered, "Young Master, the hottest topic in Jinan right now is the Divine Artifact of Humanity from Qiankun Academy. Because of the long distance and poor communication, many people have already missed their chance, including the Prince of De's Mansion..."

"You mean you're looking for Li Yan?"

Lu Xiaowu shook his head and said, "I am not familiar with them. Besides, my father was their enemy back then. Given their current status, they wouldn't even look at money if we offered it to them. There's no need to make a fool of ourselves."

"Yes, young master is right."

Fengping nodded, somewhat helplessly.

In fact, he had worked with Li Yan before and had the opportunity to build a good relationship with him.

But given the vast difference in their social standing at the time, they couldn't possibly look down on these江湖 (jianghu) figures.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Lu Xiaowu gazed in the distance toward the Prince of De's residence, his eyes filled with uncertain emotions...

…………

Meanwhile, inside the side room of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce.

The candlelight flickered dimly, and a group of people stayed up all night.

"Brother Kong, don't worry."

After Li Yan recounted the events, Sha Lifei comforted him, saying, "Your father is a precious treasure these days, and no one dares to touch him. Even the Jinan government has to take good care of him, as this matter is of great importance."

"Tomorrow, we will find a way to visit him in prison."

"Yes, thank you all."

Kong Shangzhao was filled with gratitude and stood up to bow deeply.

He hadn't considered that others wouldn't be able to participate in this matter.

Given the Lin family's status within the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, their connections were extensive, not to mention Li Yan and his group's identities; they could speak with authority in both the Military Command and the Enforcement Hall. However, things took an unexpected turn.

……

Inside the Jinan Prefecture Commandery, the area in front of the hall was heavily guarded, with Xuanjia Guards holding spears like a forest.

Kong Shangzhao pleaded his case, saying, "My father was falsely accused of murder. I beg the Commandery to investigate thoroughly!"

But the commander who had just been so respectful to Li Yan suddenly became expressionless: "This matter is difficult. The supervisor has ordered that the Kong family's private affairs are clan matters, and the Commandery should not get involved to avoid any complications."

Li Yan frowned, about to press for further questioning, but the commander was preoccupied with folding paper and tidying the inkstone, and said with a forced smile, "The Kong family is a prestigious clan with a thousand-year history, and has its own clan rules for handling such matters. If it involves a murder case, why not report it to the authorities?"

Shalifei wanted to argue, but Li Yan secretly tugged at his sleeve, shook his head slightly, and left with his men without saying a word.

He knew Zhao Wujiu's character perfectly well; after regaining power, he was only loyal to the emperor.

The Kong family is powerful, but there is no need for them to make excuses like this.

It's probably still related to those messy things in the capital.

After all, there are many factions within the Commandery.

…………

The group entered the Hall of Enforcement, only to find themselves utterly disappointed.

Xu Cangsong, the Taoist priest in charge of the Jinan Enforcement Hall, raised his eyebrows and smiled like a frost blade when he heard that it was Li Yan who had come to visit. He directly asked, "Is Wudang Mingshanzi an old acquaintance of yours? And Qingcheng Chenkongzi is even a close friend of yours, despite the age difference?"

Li Yan sensed something was wrong, but nodded without replying.

Xu Cangsong slammed his fist on the table and cursed, "You junior, do you think my Penglai Pavilion is easy to bully?!"

It turns out that the lineage practiced by Xu Cangsong was at odds with Wudang and Qingcheng, having formed a feud in their early years due to a dispute over alchemy.

He sat upright like a bell, neither offering a seat nor inquiring about the case, but only playing with the jade seal in his hand. Before Li Yan could explain further, he said with a hint of sarcasm, "The Twelve Zodiacs are renowned for their prestige, why would they need the mere Enforcement Hall to cause trouble?"

…………

As for Fatty Lin, he traveled around and witnessed firsthand the methods of the Qilu officialdom.

Inside the prefectural government office, the clerk stroked his beard and said slowly, "The Kong family's case files are incomplete and must be submitted to the provincial judicial commissioner for a decision."

A minor official from the Provincial Surveillance Commission served tea to the guest, saying, "This is a major case involving a murder; we must wait for the Ministry of Justice's approval."

Fatty Lin handed over the silver, but the official pushed the silver box away and solemnly said, "The court upholds the law and does not allow private transactions. We shall wait for the joint trial by the three judicial departments!" After saying this, he closed his eyes to rest and said no more.

Ask any official in the city, and they'll all be like clay or wooden sculptures.

Of course, he also understood that since the position of Duke Yansheng was involved, no one wanted to cause trouble.

Do not seek immediate results, but avoid the pitfalls of tangled threads and excessive entanglements.

Therefore, instead of saying it can be done or that it is difficult, they simply say "we will discuss it further."

Each official spoke in a deep, official tone, like the misty fog of Mount Tai, obscuring the sky and the sun, yet leaving no room for error. This infuriated Fatty Lin, who turned red in the face, yet was utterly helpless.

As dusk fell, everyone gathered at the inn.

They looked at each other, their faces filled with helplessness.

"Count it!"

Li Yan was also seething with anger, and said coldly, "It's just a prefectural government office, what's so great about it? Daoist, get ready, we're going to raid the prison tonight!"

…………

Just after 7 PM, a damp, musty smell rose from outside the high walls of the Jinan Prefecture prison.

In a dark and secluded alley, Lü San held the rat Da Shu Er and summoned rats to spread out and guard the area for miles around.

Long Yan'er sprinkled out powder, ready to confuse the approaching night watchmen and officials at any moment.

As for Li Yan, he took out five small black flags from his bosom, embroidered with intricate patterns of gold and silver threads.

It was the Five Directions Luofeng Banner that he reforged at Qiankun Academy!
Jinan is an ancient city, and the local deities and their troops within the City God Temple are powerful and formidable.

With the addition of various protective formations and arrays set up by government offices, it is difficult for any demons or evil spirits to get close.

But Li Yan dared to make a move, so he must have some trump cards up his sleeve.

This "Five Directions Luofeng Banner" already had a solid foundation, and after being refined anew, it became even more profound and extraordinary.

He guarded the True Lord of the Flint Wheel in the capital, completed the Heavenly Official's mission, and obtained the Five Divine Decrees, which have all been integrated into the Five Dharma Flags.

Today, the Five Directions Luofeng Banner has become a complete Great Luo Dharma implement!

"Five demons, heed my command!"

Wang Daoxuan took the banner and, without saying a word, bit his index finger and drew an edict in mid-air, instantly solidifying the five ghostly figures.

This is the Five Ghosts Transporting Technique from the Five Divine Secrets. Originally, it would have been difficult for someone of his skill level to perform it, but with the Five Directions Luofeng Flag, everything became much easier.

"At the third watch of the night (3 AM), the spirits of the underworld borrow a path!"

Before Wang Daoxuan could finish speaking, Li Yan's hand gestures had already changed.

He stepped out with the steps of Yu, and at the same time used the "Northern Emperor's Mysterious Water Escape" technique. The Qi around his body turned into black mist and surged out, enveloping the two of them. Their figures also disappeared into the night.

The Five Ghosts Transporting Technique and the Northern Emperor's Mysterious Water Escape Technique, when used simultaneously, are enough to evade those formations.

In everyone's eyes, a night wind carrying fallen leaves blew towards the prison.

The guards holding torches only shivered, and the stone lions at the entrance remained completely still.

As expected, the two easily entered the prison.

The torches in the prison passageway flickered.

Enveloped by the Xuan Shui Escape Technique, and using the form of five ghosts carrying a sedan chair, the two left no trace and easily passed through wooden doors and the torture chamber.

Strangely, there wasn't a single prisoner in those cells.

"Sigh~"

The guard was awakened by the cold wind, shivered, and couldn't help but complain to his colleague next to him: "I told you long ago, this prison is old and dilapidated, drafty everywhere, and those old men don't care."

"That is."

His companion muttered curses, "They're all so greedy and capable..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Before he could finish speaking, the jailer, who was drinking nearby, cursed, "You'd better keep your mouths shut. Be careful, walls have ears. If you offend any of these officials, they could make your whole family suffer a terrible death!"

"Boss, you're joking..."

The jailer said with a forced smile, "Sir was afraid the Kong family would cause trouble, so he took all the prisoners away. Only that suspect surnamed Kong is left, and he's acting like a fool and in a daze. How could he have any ears over the walls?"

In the passageway next to theirs, Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan simultaneously frowned and exchanged a glance.

Their biggest fear came true.

If Manager Kong had been alright and explained things clearly, things wouldn't have come to this point.

It seems that although the person did not die, something unexpected happened.

The two continued forward, arriving deep inside the prison, where they finally found Manager Kong.

The once plump shopkeeper Kong had become emaciated in a short time, his hair all white and withered. He sat cross-legged on the smelly straw, grinning foolishly at the roof.

"Hehe, immortal, will you come and help me become an immortal?"

"I don't want to become an immortal! I don't want to become an immortal!"

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly turned red, he became frantic, and he abruptly stood up, hugging the railing and shaking it.

"I don't want to become an immortal! Let me go! Let me go!"

(End of this chapter)