Absolutely legitimate Star Iron, I've awakened the Underworld System?

　"You two, please come in."

　Bai Qiong and Scott looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman wearing a merchant guild uniform and gold-rimmed glasses walk out and stand at the entrance of Xiuchunlou, smiling at them.

　"Mingxi?!"

　Bai Qiong and Scott exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with surprise and astonishment.

Chapter Forty-Seven: The Embroiderer

　Although I had long suspected that the Jinren Lane Chamber of Commerce and this Xiuchun Pavilion had some unspeakable secrets.

　However, the moment Mingxi actually appeared, Bai Qiong and Scott were still caught off guard.

　Mingxi smiled slightly and gestured for them to come in: "Gentlemen, please don't stand at the door, come in and we'll talk."

　Bai Qiong and Scott exchanged a glance, suppressed their doubts, and stepped into the Embroidery Spring Pavilion.

　Inside the Xiuchun Pavilion, the furnishings were elegant, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of cosmetics.

　Several women dressed in plain-colored dresses were sitting in front of embroidery frames, their needles flying as they embroidered various exquisite patterns.

　Judging from their physical characteristics, some are native to Xianzhou, while others are from outside the region.

　Mingxi led Baiqiong and Scott to a teahouse and gestured for them to sit down.

　"Gentlemen, please try this tea. It's a special brew from our Xiuchun Pavilion." Mingxi personally poured tea for the two of them with elegant movements.

　Bai Qiong picked up the teacup, took a small sip, but had no interest in tasting the tea.

　His gaze lingered on the embroiderers.

　"Secretary Mingxi, is this... really the embroidery workshop?" Bai Qiong finally couldn't help but ask.

　Mingxi smiled slightly and said, "Of course. Our Jinren Lane Chamber of Commerce has always been committed to protecting and passing on traditional culture. These embroidery techniques should have disappeared with the changing times, but the Chamber of Commerce has given them new life."

　Pointing to the embroiderers, she continued, "These embroiderers are either locals from Xianzhou or people we invited from various planets in the universe. They have inherited and passed down the embroidery culture of Jinren Lane, and their skills are all exceptional."

　Just then, Bai Qiong noticed that one of the embroiderers looked at him with a somewhat evasive expression and a hint of fear in her eyes.

　Her fingers were still wrapped in gauze, and traces of blood and bruises were faintly visible.

　"What happened to her hands?" Bai Qiong asked, pointing at the embroiderer.

　Mingxi looked in the direction Bai Qiong was pointing, a hint of unease flashing across her face, but she quickly regained her smile: "Oh, you mean her? She was accidentally injured while getting acupuncture."

　"Accidentally?" Bai Qiong clearly didn't believe this explanation.

　"Mr. Bai Qiong, you are overthinking it."

　Mingxi spoke softly, yet with an undeniable air, "Our Xiuchun Pavilion treats our embroiderers like family. How could we possibly let them get hurt?"

　Scott, standing nearby, also noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere.

　Although he was usually arrogant and domineering, he remained silent at this moment, simply observing the development of the situation.

　Bai Qiong wanted to ask something more, but Ming Xi spoke up first: "Since you're here, why don't you take a look at our embroidery works?"

　With that, she got up and led Bai Qiong and Scott on a tour of the Embroidery Spring Pavilion.

　The walls were covered with all kinds of embroidery works: landscapes, flowers and birds, figures...

　Lifelike and exquisite.

　As Mingxi walked, she introduced the origins and meanings of these works, displaying a tactful and graceful demeanor.

　It must be said that Mingxi is capable in business matters, but unfortunately...

　In this timeline, she has already strayed from the right path.

　Bai Qiong had no interest in appreciating any of this; his gaze remained fixed on the embroiderers.

　He noticed that although these embroiderers were all focused on their work, their eyes were somewhat vacant, as if they had lost their souls.

　There's definitely something wrong with this Embroidered Spring Pavilion!

　"Miss Mingxi, may I speak with this embroiderer alone?"

　Bai Qiong suddenly stopped and pointed to the embroiderer he had seen in the box before.

　Mingxi's expression finally changed.

　She narrowed her eyes slightly, looked at Bai Qiong, and her tone turned cold: "Mr. Bai Qiong, what do you mean by this?"

　"It's nothing, I just wanted to know about her work situation," Bai Qiong said calmly.

　"I'm afraid that won't work."

　Mingxi refused outright, "Our Xiuchun Pavilion has a rule that outsiders are not allowed to have private contact with the embroiderers."

　"I just want to talk to her, and have her make an embroidery just for me, is that not allowed?"

　Bai Qiong asked tentatively, "Could it be that there's something wrong with your embroidery workshop? For example... are these embroideries machine-made instead of hand-woven?"

　"Of course not, that's the rule. Mr. Bai Qiong, are you saying you don't trust Xiuchunlou?"

　Mingxi's eyes already held a hint of hostility.

　Bai Qiong looked directly into Ming Xi's eyes without flinching, his tone firm: "Miss Ming Xi, I am merely raising reasonable questions as a consumer."

　Mingxi's tone was professionally indifferent: "Question? There's nothing to question. Xiuchunlou is a legitimate embroidery workshop. We are committed to inheriting and promoting traditional culture, and all the embroidery is hand-woven by our embroiderers."

　She paused, then emphasized, "If you have any misunderstandings about us, or any dissatisfaction, you can file a complaint with the Chamber of Commerce, and we will handle it according to the rules and regulations."

　Bai Qiong frowned slightly. He knew that if this stalemate continued, there would be no result.

　Mingxi was clearly well-prepared, making it virtually impossible to get the truth out of her.

　“Alright, since Miss Mingxi says so, then I won’t disturb you any longer.” Bai Qiong said, turning around and giving Scott a wink.

　Although Scott was somewhat unwilling, he understood that now was not the time to confront the local chamber of commerce head-on. He could only glare at Mingxi fiercely before leaving the teahouse with Bai Qiong.

　The two walked out of the teahouse, passing by the embroiderers who were engrossed in their work. Bai Qiong's mood was somewhat heavy.

　The truth seemed to be on the verge of being revealed, but there was no direct evidence to prove that the embroidery workshop was problematic.

　As Bai Qiong reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and said to Mingxi, "Goodbye, Miss Mingxi."

　Mingxi stood there, watching Bai Qiong and Scott's departing figures, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

　Outside the Xiuchun Tower, the sun shone brightly, creating a stark contrast with the oppressive pink atmosphere inside.

　"Pah! What a lousy embroidery workshop! I think it's a den of iniquity, definitely rife with problems! What kind of shady dealings are they doing, any different from our company?"

　Scott couldn't help but spit out his anger, saying indignantly, "It's a pity that the news leaked out somehow, and we came up empty-handed. If we could have found some solid evidence, I could have reported them."

　Bai Qiong didn't speak, but just walked forward silently.

　"Hey, Qiong-ge, come up with a solution! Are we just going to let this go?"

　Scott caught up and grabbed Bai Qiong, saying, "As long as we bring down the Golden Man Alley Chamber of Commerce, the dock will be our company's. I'll take charge, and you'll get 10% of the profits."

　"We don't need your profits, and your company's money isn't clean either."

　Bai Qiong stopped and turned to look at Scott, saying slowly, "Of course, I won't let this go so easily, not for money... but to uphold the justice in my heart."

　PS: The plot here was handled incorrectly before and has been revised. The part where the protagonist knew that the Jinren Lane Chamber of Commerce was involved in human trafficking has been removed.

　Furthermore, it was specifically emphasized that smuggling contraband and engaging in illicit business operations are matters under the jurisdiction of the Tianbo Division, and cannot be reported to the Shence Prefecture without authorization. Only after substantial evidence of crimes committed by the Jinren Lane Chamber of Commerce can an application be made to mobilize the Yunqi Army to handle this matter.

Chapter Forty-Eight: The Plan

　"So what are you planning to do?" Scott asked eagerly.

　Bai Qiong pondered for a moment and said, "Since Mingxi dared to let us in, it means she has made preparations. We won't find anything by just barging in like this."

　"Then what do we do? The answer is already obvious, are we just going to let it go like this?" Scott was a little agitated.

　Bai Qiong shook his head: "Of course not. Perhaps we need to try a different approach."

　"In what way?"

　"If the open approach doesn't work, then let's try the covert one. Isn't this your company's usual method of measurement?"

　Bai Qiong licked his lips, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry, you'll know tonight. Let's go ask Tianbo Division about the situation first, since this is their business, let's hear their official opinion first."

　Although Scott couldn't guess what Bai Qiong was thinking, he still nodded, "Then I'll be waiting for your good news, Qiong-ge."

　"Okay, let's call it a day. I'm a little hungry and need to get something to eat."

　Bai Qiong patted her belly.

　Scott lowered his stance and asked ingratiatingly, "How about I treat Qiong to a meal at 'Shang Ziwei'? I've wanted to invite you, a big star in the company, to dinner for a long time."

　"Alright, that would be best..."

　……

　As evening approached, Bai Qiong finished her dinner, said goodbye to Scott, and returned to the inn.

　He took out his phone and created a new group chat, with members including Yu Kong, Su Chang, and Scott.

　Bai Qiong sent a message—

　【Lord Yukong, Miss Sushang, how is the situation on your end?】

　He soon received a reply from Su Chang.

　[Su Chang: Don't even mention it, Mr. Bai Qiong! We came up empty-handed! It's like those people knew we were coming beforehand; they hid all the contraband, and we found nothing!]

　[Bai Qiong: Have you checked the accounts of the Jinren Lane Chamber of Commerce? Maybe you can find something out. Running this kind of shady business definitely involves unexplained sources of income.]

　[Yu Kong: We've also checked the accounts and found some unusual income, but they've all given various excuses to cover it up, without any substantial evidence.]

　[Bai Qiong: Therefore, I reasonably suspect that there is an informant within Tianbo Division. The fact that you brought so many people to investigate means they must have received advance notice and made thorough preparations.]

　[Yu Kong: Our Tianbo Division? Damn it! If I manage to find this mole...]

　[Scott: Seriously? Even your own official agency can't handle this? Then my rating of Luofu Immortal Ship in my report will have to drop several notches.]

　[Yu Kong: Mr. Scott, please don't be alarmed. This incident is indeed due to poor management of our Luo Fu Immortal Ship. I can apologize to you on behalf of Luo Fu Immortal Ship, but that is no reason for you to mock Luo Fu Immortal Ship.]

　Scott: Hmph, you better be sure to investigate thoroughly! The Golden Man Lane docks should be re-tendered; we can't let these dishonest chambers of commerce get away with it.