During the Qin Dynasty, he was in charge of the net.

Shi Hu, nicknamed Jade Tiger, is the largest grain merchant in Nanyang and the so-called big shot mentioned by Wang Ma of Jinyunfang.

It was he who specifically asked to see Ling Ji.

Although ordinary merchants held a low status among the seven kingdoms, Shi Hu was not an ordinary merchant.

This was because Shi Hu had a connection with Ji Wuye, the great general of the state of Han, and this connection was not ordinary.

When Ling Ji pushed open the door to the private room, she saw a man with a large belly and a round waist, adorned with jewels, his eyes narrowed into slits, smiling as he drank with two dancers.

"So it's Ling Ji! Please, have a seat." Shi Hu's eyes lit up when he saw the beautiful Ling Ji, and he quickly invited her to sit down.

Upon seeing Ling Ji arrive, Shi Hu immediately left the two dancers aside and resentfully remarked:

"So, Master Shi was waiting for Ling Ji; we were just there to accompany him."

"Haha... I'm willing to wait for any of you." Shi Hu seemed to enjoy being surrounded by such beauties and wasn't angry at what the other two dancers said.

After Ling Ji took her seat, she simply sat quietly to the side, listening to the conversation of the people inside the room.

If she couldn't refuse, she would take a small sip of wine. If Shi Hu tried to persuade her again, Ling Ji would decline, saying that she was not feeling well.

Shi Hu was displeased by the repeated rejections. He said to Ling Ji with a forced smile, "Ling Ji, your singing and dancing are the best in Jin Yun Fang. Why don't you perform a song for me today and cleanse my ears?"

Ling Ji wanted to refuse, but she knew that once was enough, but not three times. If she really angered this person, he might cause trouble in Jinyunfang.

Ling Ji took a few steps and came to the window of the private room.

Beside the window was a plain-colored zither table, on which sat an ancient seven-stringed zither, and beside the zither was a small celadon stove.

Shi Hu stared intently at Ling Ji, who sat reclining in front of the zither. Her soft silk robe accentuated her slender figure, and she wore only a simple silver hairpin in her hair. She was not wearing any heavy makeup, yet her eyes and brows exuded a natural, elegant charm.

Ling Ji lowered her head and eyes, raised her hand to touch the strings, her fingertips like jade, and with a gentle plucking and strumming, the clear and melodious sound of the zither spread from the strings.

Looking at the stunning scene, Shi Hu was overcome with lust and had all sorts of fantasies.

Just then, an inconspicuous pattern caught the eye of the stone tiger.

That was a black spider near Ling Ji's neck. Shi Hu hadn't noticed it while they were drinking, but it only became apparent when Ling Ji lowered her head to play the zither.

The moment the black spider appeared, it occupied Shi Hu's entire mind, and he ignored the two dancers beside him who were urging him to drink.

Shi Hu stared intently at the black spider, growing increasingly alarmed with each glance.

He was no ordinary small-time merchant; he was the largest grain merchant in Nanyang, and secretly served General Ji Wuye.

This strange spider pattern reminded Shi Hu of a mysterious organization—the Net.

This organization, adorned with black spiderwebs, weaves a vast and intricate web, spanning seven kingdoms, reaching from the imperial palace to the common people, with kings and nobles alike becoming its prey...

"Uncle Shi, why are you sweating so much all of a sudden?" The two dancers beside him looked at Shi Hu, who was acting strangely, and couldn't help but feel a little confused.

"Oh, haha, this wine is potent. I feel warm up as I drink it." Shi Hu raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, trying to hide his strange behavior, but in reality, a huge storm was churning inside him.

That Ling Ji is actually a member of the Luo Wang organization. Who sent her, and who is her target?

Could it be that the Net of Heaven has already set its sights on him?!

Or perhaps, Jinyunfang is one of the secret strongholds of the Luo Wang in Nanyang?

Thinking of all this, Shi Hu stood up abruptly, unable to resist the urge to escape through the window.

"Master Shi, what's wrong?" The two dancers beside him looked at Shi Hu, who suddenly stood up, completely bewildered.

"Haha, it's alright, it's alright. I got tired of sitting and stood up to stretch my muscles." Shi Hu sat down again, because he noticed that Ling Ji was closest to the window. If he wanted to climb out the window, wouldn't he have to get past her first?

Shi Hu is now extremely wary of Ling Ji, and her beauty makes him feel like a viper!

Shi Hu was now in a state of extreme anxiety, unsure whether to sit, stand, or walk.

He forced himself to remain calm, trying to reassure himself that the net might not be targeting him, but he dared not look at Ling Ji again.

Ling Ji had only played two pieces when the music stopped. Shi Hu felt as if an eternity had passed and quickly spoke up:

"Excellent, excellent! This piece is wonderful. Miss Lingji has excellent zither skills."

Now that we've had our drinks and listened to the music, I have a lot of things to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave now. I'll come again another day, another day.

As they were talking, Shi Hu stood up and addressed Ling Ji, but he didn't dare look at her directly. Instead, he turned his head to look at the two dancers to the side.

Shi Hu left, very suddenly, and Wang Ma was also very confused.

Fortunately, the amount owed was not less than usual; in fact, it was three cents more than usual, so Wang Ma didn't pursue the matter further.

After Ling Ji returned to her room, she looked at Li Ji with sparkling eyes.

Today, Shi Hu acted very strangely. Not only did he stop looking at her lecherously, but he also left early. All of this was because of an inconspicuous little pattern that Li Ji had drawn on her body.

Ling Ji was very curious about what the spider on her neck represented, so she kept asking Li Ji.

Li Ji seemed to have expected this. He replied calmly that the pattern itself had no meaning and that the person was just scaring himself.

Ling Ji was skeptical and wanted to use some tricks in bed to make Li Ji confess honestly, but she overestimated her strength and begged for mercy early on.

......

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Today is the day when the remnants of the Baiyue people secretly gather to exchange messages.

Following the information given by Ling Ji, Li Ji arrived at a tavern at the corner of a long street in the south of the city.

A faded wine flag hung from the eaves of the tavern, bearing the name Zhuoshuilou.

Inside, the sounds of people mingled together: peddlers, wandering travelers, merchants, and laborers all crammed into one place.

Li Ji nodded secretly; this was the spot Ling Ji had given him.

He chose the innermost corner, and the straw hat on his head covered most of his face, revealing only a section of his chin.

As for the sword at his waist, it was wrapped in cloth, making him look like an ordinary martial arts practitioner.

Li Ji ordered a pot of wine and some side dishes, and waited quietly.

According to Ling Ji's information, the four Corpse Demons had all held high positions in Baiyue, especially one of them, a Holy Maiden of the Fire Sacrifice Clan.

Li Ji analyzed that those people should know the whereabouts of the Baiyue Secret Treasure, and it might even be in their hands.

It was because those people all possessed extraordinary abilities. He had fought against the Corpse-Driving Demon's corpse-driving technique, the Hundred Poison King's Gu poison technique, and the Peerless Ghost's physical skills, and they were indeed quite extraordinary.

There is also Yan Ling Ji, who is said to be able to control flames, making her quite extraordinary.

Perhaps this is exactly the Baiyue secret technique that Luo Wang (the organization) wants.

As Li Ji pondered, the wine in front of him gradually cooled down, but the person he was waiting for never arrived.

Li Ji asked the waiter to heat up the wine and then waited.

The wine had gone cold again, but the others still hadn't arrived.

Li Ji frowned secretly. Could it be that those people received some news and didn't come?

Just then, a series of rhythmic clanging sounds of armor rubbing against each other suddenly came from outside the tavern, growing louder and deeper than thunder.

Li Ji's heart sank suddenly.

The next moment, the silence of the long street was shattered by the sound of horses' hooves, and the shouts of soldiers exploded. Spears and powerful bows were piled up in layers, instantly surrounding the entire tavern.

Doors and windows were blocked, alleyways were sealed off, and even rooftops were filled with archers, bows drawn and arrows sharp, their gleaming cold light chilling the air.

The tavern fell silent instantly. The previous hustle and bustle abruptly ceased, and everyone froze in place, not daring to breathe.

"Listen up, you inside! I am the Commandant of Nanyang. Recently, some thugs broke into the city gates and harmed my soldiers who were guarding the city. According to information provided by someone with good intentions, the trail of these villains is right here."

You all must immediately lay down your weapons and retreat! Do not collude with these thugs! Anyone who dares to resist or protect them will be treated as an accomplice and executed without exception!

Li Ji's fingers suddenly tightened, and the wine cup trembled slightly in his palm.

He didn't find the person he was looking for; instead, he was met with a carefully laid trap.

Clearly, he had been deceived and betrayed by Ling Ji.

It was at some point that even he didn't notice the flaw.

That woman is quite the actress, Li Ji thought with a cold laugh.

Bang! The wine glass in Li Ji's hand was crushed by his hand, and the wine spilled out.

Li Ji stood up expressionlessly, but the anger in his heart was like a volcano about to erupt.

If he survives, he will make that woman wish she were dead!