There are 20,000 people in the Yan Kingdom.
The Huoyun Sect is in the north, and the Chiyang Sect is in the south. There are two strong Jindan masters in charge of each. Their overall strength is equal, and they can be regarded as the first echelon of cultivation forces in the Yan Kingdom.
Under the two sects, naturally is the royal family of the Yan Kingdom.
Although the court is ruled by mortals, many royal family members and children of aristocratic families practice in the two major sects, so the power relationship between the three parties is complicated.
Qingyang City, located in the northwest of the Yan Kingdom, was ostensibly governed by the royal family, but it could not bypass the Huoyun Sect, the overlord of the area.
For example, in the houses in the South District, the formations are constructed and managed by the royal family, but if you want to open a market or monk shop in the city, you must obtain permission from Yangquanfang City.
It's Mid-Autumn Festival.
As usual, the city lord's palace sent people to deliver gifts one after another to the monks' mansion in the city.
Zhongfu.
Xiaohuan sent the soldiers out of the house and counted them. He thought he was wrong and counted them twice more.
The maid Xiaoqing on the side asked: "Sister Xiaohuan, what's wrong? That's right."
Xiaohuan blinked repeatedly, "It's five times more than last year!"
"That's not bad. It means that the City Lord's Mansion values our Zhong Mansion!"
"You don't understand. Usually holiday gifts are fixed and are the same for every family, but this time there are more and better than during the Chinese New Year."
Xiaohuan thought for a moment and called two more maids, "The people from the City Lord's Mansion have just left. Take the gifts prepared by the madam and go ahead of them to wait outside the Bai Mansion and Cheng Mansion. Wait until the people from the City Lord's Mansion arrive. When people come to your door, you don’t need to ask any more questions. Just take a quick look. I’ll go to Li’s Mansion..."
When she came back, she reported the situation to her mistress Jiang Ping.
Two days later, Zhong Yan returned from Fangshi and was a little surprised to learn the news. The gifts received by the Li family and the other two monks were the same as in previous years.
Jiang Ping rubbed her bulging belly and said, "Husband, could this be the reason why you became a top-grade Talisman Master?"
Zhong Yan pondered for a moment and said: "Of course there is this factor, but it is not the main reason. I just have something to do, and I will go to the city lord's mansion for my husband tomorrow."
Cheng Youliang of the Cheng Mansion is an alchemist. Even if he is a low-level first-level magician, he is more popular than a high-level first-level talisman master. However, he receives fewer gifts than himself.
The next day.
Zhong Yan went to the city lord's mansion to meet Qin Ben and hinted that he planned to buy House No. 9 in the future and obtain the right to break ground for reconstruction.
Houses No. 9 and No. 10 on Wutong Lane are separated by more than three feet. They are public areas, but cannot be renovated or repaired privately.
As for the gift, Qin Ben didn't mention a word.
Zhong Yan didn't ask, but he knew in his heart that there must be a monster when things happen. He must be seeking something, and when the time comes, the other party will come to his door.
Anyway, it's just some mortal belongings, so there won't be any big problems.
After he left the main hall and was completely far away, Zhang Shun, the military advisor of the city lord's palace, said: "This person has a calm mind."
Qin Ben took a sip of tea and glanced over, "Sir, what do you think is wrong?"
Zhang Shun paused and said, "My cultivation level is a bit low."
"Realm does not mean strength."
Qin Ben smiled and continued: "He only practiced Qi at the third level when he first arrived in Qingyang City. Li Henian is higher than him and they have been friends with each other for many years. He highly recommends him. He has his own extraordinary qualities. Furthermore, he I have been able to go to Fangshi many times without any harm, so how can I not use some means? Even if you are lucky, luck is also a manifestation of strength. "
"It's a very important matter. I'm just worried about a lot of people..." Zhang Shun changed his words and said, "With or without him, it doesn't matter."
Qin Ben tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondered for a moment and then said: "I know that you are cautious, sir, but you have to invest early. This person has quick hands and eyes, and he is a talisman master. Now is an opportunity. If you can't, kill him!"
Zhang Shun nodded and said no more.
After a while, Qin Ben said again: "He is very diligent in recruiting concubines. Go and inform Lin Xuelan."
"Female cultivator?" Zhang Shun asked, quite surprised.
"Warrior, pick a better one."
…
the other side.
Zhong Yan returned to the house.
A group of people were chatting and laughing around in the courtyard pavilion.
The people from the Li family came again, more diligent than before. The wives and concubines of the nine houses came in turns, and occasionally brought their children with them. They didn't disturb them much, just drank tea and said a few words before leaving.
"Liu'er has met uncle!"
Mrs. Li Yang has a smile on her face and is graceful and graceful. She is almost forty years old. She looks like she is in her early thirties even though she is rich and well-maintained. She is full of mature charm.
Despite her soft appearance, she is actually a sixth-level acquired martial artist, with a higher level than Yan Sandao.
Her son Li Shangwu also came and saluted solemnly, "My nephew meets my uncle!"
"Sister-in-law." Zhong Yan returned the courtesy, chatting and asking about the situation in Li's house.
Li Henian left for more than a year and a half, and the family business was slowly taken over by Li Shangwu. With the help of his two right-hand assistants, Li Yang and the housekeeper, the current situation is fine.
Not long after.
Li Yang stood up to say goodbye and said with a smile: "Uncle is busy with his cultivation affairs, so Liu'er won't bother him much. He will have time to sit in the house another day. Sister Ping'er, take care of yourself."
Zhong Yan: "Okay."
A group of wives and concubines: "Sister-in-law, walk slowly!"
After the two of them left with their maids, Zhong Yan looked at his wife, and when he saw her shaking her head, he knew that they had not talked about anything important before, and that the Li Mansion was still safe.
"Dao'er, you go find some construction craftsmen to connect the two yards."
"Yes, husband."
A few days later.
The city lord's mansion sent someone to deliver a letter.
Zhong Yan glanced at the letter and said nothing more than the banquet. He immediately understood that it must be related to the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts.
Arriving near the city lord's mansion at night, Bai Siyuan happened to be coming from the other direction.
"Brother Dao!"
Bai Siyuan's eyes flashed with surprise, he blinked and asked, "Dear brother, do you know what is going on?"
Zhong Yan smiled and said, "I still want to ask you!"
Bai Siyuan's eyes flashed, and he lowered his voice and said, "It probably has something to do with the retinue mage."
Zhong Yan was stunned, "What do you mean?"
Master Hu knows that there are a total of 127 cities in the Yan Kingdom. In addition to the city lord, the court will also assign a monk to each city. He does not participate in the management, but only plays a supervisory role. In addition, he is responsible for some monk-related affairs. He is called Follow the mage.
Although there is the word "subordinate", his status is equal to or even higher than that of the city lord.
Most of the retinue mages are from the royal family, and there are also those from various sects and families who come here for training.
But such a high-status and lucrative position is not available to casual cultivators.
Bai Siyuan looked around and said: "I don't know how long my brother has been in Qingyang City. Qin Ben has been in charge of Qingyang City for seven years. During this period, there were three retinue mages, and they all died inexplicably!"
Zhong Yan raised his eyebrows.
Bai Siyuan continued: "The capital has not sent anyone over in the past three years, but I learned from a sergeant a few days ago that another one has arrived."
Zhong Yan suddenly realized, his eyes flickering.
He originally thought that Qin Ben managed the city well and had a good relationship with the guest monks in the city, so he didn't have any mage followers.
Zhong Yan joked and said with a smile: "Brother Tao, this is inexplicably spiritual!"
Bai Siyuan gave him a look that said, "You can understand it yourself" and stepped forward.
After entering the city lord's palace, a special sergeant was waiting to lead the two of them to the side hall.
In the hall, Qin Ben was sitting at the top, and beside him Zhang Shun, a white-faced scholar, stood with his hands tied and his eyes lowered.
There was another person, Yang Yanqing, who was at the peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining. He was sitting behind the table holding a cup. He looked over and his eyes fell on Zhong Yan, with a look of surprise in his eyes.
"Master Bai Xian, Master Zhong Xian, welcome!"
Qin Ben stood up to greet him. He was handsome and had a warm smile.
"City Lord Qin, Fellow Daoist Yang!"
Zhong Yanli was thoughtful and even said "Sir" to military advisor Zhang Shun.
After a brief greeting, everyone took their seats.
Good wine and delicious food, beautiful people singing and dancing.
Only talk about Qingyang's customs, customs and various anecdotes.
Until more than half an hour later.
Qin Ben waved his hand to dismiss the dancer. His eyes moved from Yang Yanqing to Bai Siyuan, and finally fell on Zhong Yan. He said bluntly: "Master Yang and Master Bai are old partners. Fellow Daoist Zhong, Mr. Qin asked for help in killing someone."
"who?"
"The new retinue mage will arrive in seven days."
"What cultivation level?"
"The peak of the eighth level of Qi training."
"Can."
After Bai Siyuan's previous reminder, Zhong Yan had thought carefully about it and prepared various countermeasures on the way.
Now Qin Ben bluntly told him that he had no choice at all.
He was on the fourth level of Qi training, and facing the peak of the eighth level, he just delivered food. However, with Yang Yanqing and Bai Siyuan around, he just went to make soy sauce, but Qin Ben was giving him a chance.
As for why he chose him, besides having something to do with Li Henian, Zhong Yan estimated that Qin Ben was also investigating him privately.
"Master Zhongxian is so happy!"
Qin Ben slapped his thigh and stood up, holding up the wine glass, "Come on, I wish the three immortal masters immediate success!"
Afterwards, a group of five people went to the side study to make detailed plans.
…
