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

　"Now that I think about it, the living creatures I sensed in the box were probably slaves they bought from outer space and brought to the embroidery workshop for illegal trading."

　Bai Qiong's voice was low and tinged with anger, "Unfortunately, nothing can be found now."

　"When you noticed something was wrong with the box earlier, you were just about to go up and check it when they saw you."

　Yu Kong walked to Bai Qiong's side and said softly, "They naturally became alert and wouldn't leave problematic boxes here again. It's normal that we can't find any evidence."

　Her voice remained gentle, carrying a calming power that soothed Bai Qiong's emotions.

　"That's true... it's definitely not that simple."

　Bai Qiong nodded. "Then we can only proceed according to the original plan."

　He pointed to an empty, half-person-high wooden box and said to Yu Kong, "I would like to trouble you, Lord Yu Kong, to go into this box and see if you can sneak into the Embroidery Spring Pavilion. Although I am not sure if they will come and move these boxes in, we should at least try."

　Yu Kong looked at the box without the slightest hesitation in his eyes.

　“Okay,” she replied simply.

　Bai Qiong walked to the box and opened the lid.

　The box wasn't very spacious, but it was just enough for the slender Yu Kong to fit inside.

　She flew to the box, leaped lightly, and sat inside. She adjusted her position to make herself as comfortable as possible.

　"Lord Yukong, you must be careful," Bai Qiong said.

　"Don't worry, Mr. Bai Qiong, I am the captain of the Tianbo Division. If necessary, I will reveal my identity, and they will not dare to do anything to me."

　Yu Kong's voice came from inside the box, trembling slightly yet with a hint of determination, "I will protect myself..."

　Bai Qiong took a deep breath and slowly closed the lid of the box.

　Darkness enveloped the entire box once again, and from Yu Kong's perspective, only a few faint rays of light pierced through the gaps.

　Bai Qiong stood in front of the box, silently praying that everything would go smoothly for Yu Kong.

　He knew that the next move would be crucial.

　But Bai Qiong had a vague, uneasy feeling about it...

　Will this turn into a plot where the undercover investigator is discovered?

　Forget it! I can't think like that!

　With his identity as a Sky-Soaring expert, nothing should happen to him. Could it be that the Golden Man Alley Merchant Guild has gone too far and dared to attack a mere captain of the Heavenly Boat on the Immortal Ship?

Chapter Fifty: A Revisit to the Embroidery Workshop

　Bai Qiong checked the area around the box one last time, and after confirming that nothing had been missed, he turned and left the warehouse, closing the door behind him.

　As planned, he walked to the street corner not far from the warehouse and began to wait patiently.

　As the night deepened, Bai Qiong's anxiety grew.

　He kept glancing in the direction of the warehouse until a group of demonic machines entered a command, opened the door, and entered the warehouse.

　After they carried out all the boxes, they headed towards the embroidery workshop...

　Bai Qiong knew that in a little while, it would be her turn to act.

　……

　After waiting patiently for another hour, Bai Qiong felt it was about time. He took a deep breath, suppressed his nervousness, and strode towards the Du Family Tea House.

　After exchanging the secret code with Boss Du, Bai Qiong was once again taken to the embroidery workshop.

　Jinren Lane under the cover of night, though a night market, is not much busier than during the day. The embroidery shop's signboard shimmers with an ambiguous orange glow in the darkness, its door half-open, a stark contrast to the tightly closed shops around it.

　As Bai Qiong approached the entrance of the embroidery workshop, her gaze was drawn to the professional scanning equipment at the door. This was something that wasn't there during the day; any device on a customer entering or leaving would be scanned.

　He had originally planned to use a miniature camera to film the interior of the embroidery workshop, but upon seeing the sophisticated instrument, he immediately changed his mind.

　Bai Qiong took out her phone and tried to send a message to Yu Kong, but received no reply.

　His expression gradually became serious.

　Bai Qiong contacted Yan Qing briefly to explain the situation, and then asked him to bring a trusted Yunqi Army to surround Jinren Lane.

　Although sending the Cloud Cavalry directly might lead to a leak due to an inside agent planted by the Jinren Lane Chamber of Commerce.

　On the other hand, Yu Kong was unwilling to let other divisions get involved in this matter, and Su Chang's suggestion to seek external assistance had already been rejected by her.

　But we can't worry about that now; it's time to clean this filthy place.

　Seemingly influenced by the power of words, Yan Qing did not remember what happened to Kafka that night and did not verify Bai Qiong's current identity.

　He took the information provided by Bai Qiong very seriously and said he would bring the Cloud Cavalry over immediately.

　Bai Qiong calmly removed the miniature camera, and when she was still a short distance from the door, she flicked her finger, tossing the camera into the roadside bushes. Sure enough, as she passed the scanning device by the door, her only remaining possession, her cell phone, was also taken away.

　……

　"Sir, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting our embroidery workshop? May I ask which informant recommended you?"

　As soon as I entered, a fragrant breeze wafted over me, and a brothel madam, still charming and elegant, swayed her hips to greet me.

　The people of the Immortal Boat have long lifespans. Although she is a madam, she looks very young and is a beautiful fox-woman.

　This is good news, at least this time, Bai Qiong's trip wasn't in vain.

　Bai Qiong withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, smiled slightly, and said, "It's Boss Du from Du's Tea House. I've heard that the girls in the embroidery workshop are all exceptionally talented, so I've come to see for myself."

　A shrewd glint flashed in the fox-woman madam's eyes as she sized Bai Qiong up and down, then chuckled, "Sir, you have excellent taste! The girls in our embroidery workshop are the best in Jinren Alley!"

　She led Bai Qiong inside, introducing, "Look, these are all our top embroiderers, each one carefully selected and specially made."

　Bai Qiong's gaze swept across the hall; compared to the daytime, it was like a completely different world.

　The display stand that originally showcased exquisite embroidery was removed and replaced with a spacious dance floor.

　A dozen or so embroiderers dressed in various colored gauze dresses danced gracefully in the center of the dance floor.

　Their dance moves were graceful and their figures alluring, exuding an irresistible charm with every gesture.

　Although it was a scene of peace and prosperity, Bai Qiong keenly sensed something amiss.

　He noticed that each of the dancing embroiderers had some scars on her body, more or less.

　Bai Qiong couldn't see it clearly during the day, but now he could see it clearly.

　Some of the marks were whip marks, some were bruises, and some looked like scratches caused by some kind of tool.

　These marks, under their deliberately displayed alluring smiles, appeared particularly glaring.

　Bai Qiong's heart sank. He knew that these injuries were not simple accidents.

　He suppressed his anger and asked casually, "Mom, these girls are nice, but I always feel like something's missing..."

　Upon hearing this, the fox-woman madam's smile widened even more: "Sir, you have an excellent eye! These girls are all carefully selected by our embroidery workshop; they are naturally top-notch. However, if you would like something even more special..."

　She paused deliberately, then lowered her voice and said, "We have some 'new stock' here, guaranteed to satisfy you."

　Bai Qiong feigned curiosity and asked, "Oh? New goods? How are they new?"

　The fox-woman madam smiled mysteriously: "Master, you know what I mean. These new goods have just been 'brought in' from outside, haven't been processed yet, they're still wild! But the taste... tsk tsk, it will absolutely leave you wanting more!"

　"However, it might be a bit dangerous and could hurt the guests."

　Bai Qiong sneered inwardly, but feigned an eager expression: "Wild? Great! I like wildness! But, Mom, the price..."

　The fox-woman madam held up one finger and waved it in front of Bai Qiong: "This number."

　Bai Qiong pulled out a large handful of credits from his pocket and showed them to the madam: "Money is no problem, I have plenty! As long as the goods are genuine, I won't be stingy!"

　The fox-woman madam's eyes widened when she saw the thick wad of credits. She stuffed the money into her pocket, her smile growing even more obsequious: "Sir, you're such a generous man! Rest assured, the goods from our embroidery workshop will absolutely satisfy you!"

　She led Bai Qiong inside, down a flight of stairs, and through a dark corridor before arriving at a heavy iron door.

　"Sir, please wait a moment, I'll go open the door for you."

　The fox-woman madam took out a bunch of keys from her waist and unlocked the iron gate.

　"Squeak-"

　The iron gate slowly opened, and a cold, damp atmosphere rushed out.

　Bai Qiong followed the madam into the room and found that it was a basement.

　The basement was spacious, but dimly lit, with only a few oil lamps casting a faint glow.

　The air was filled with an unpleasant odor, a mixture of blood, sweat, and mold, which was nauseating.

　In the basement, the dim light flickered, casting long shadows of the women and making their wounds appear even more shocking.

　Bai Qiong's gaze swept across every corner. Seven or eight women huddled in the corners, their eyes filled with fear and despair.

　Compared to the dancers outside who put on a brave face, their wounds are deeper and more severe, like playthings that have been unfortunately caught by wild beasts and tortured, only waiting to be eaten after they are tired of playing with them.

　Bai Qiong's heart sank, and an ominous premonition welled up inside her.

　Where is Lord Yu Kong?

　If Yu Kong saw this scene, he probably wouldn't have been able to hold back and would have taken action immediately, right?

　But why is it still functioning normally here?

　He suppressed his anxiety and searched around with his eyes.

　Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a familiar figure—the barbarian woman he had met once before!

　During the day, she was still in the embroidery workshop, disguised as one of the embroiderers.

　At this moment, she was looking down, her beautiful face looking very haggard, and her body was trembling slightly, as if she was trying her best to hide herself.

　Bai Qiong's heart stirred, and he pointed at the barbarian woman, saying to the madam, "I want her."

　The fox-woman madam's face immediately lit up with a smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum: "Oh, sir, you have such good taste! This is a top-quality specimen, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

　She turned around, walked over to the barbarian woman, pinched her waist hard, and threatened in a low voice, "Serve this master well! If you anger him, you'll be in trouble!"

　The woman from outside the tribe cried out in pain, her body trembling even more violently. She lowered her head, not daring to make a sound.

　Bai Qiong watched this scene, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking.

　The fox-woman madam, oblivious to Bai Qiong's unusual behavior, eagerly led him upstairs: "Sir, please come upstairs! We have the finest rooms here, guaranteed to make you comfortable!"