Sima Shouren smiled slightly and said:
"This shadow illusion technique is profound and unpredictable, and it is not easy to practice. Over the past hundred years, only a few people in the Ghost Hidden Sect have been able to reach the sixth level. Even the current sect leader is only a fifth-level Ghost Hidden."
Wang Qian'an thought that this terrible illusion was fortunately so difficult to practice.
"Since this case is related to the Guiyin Sect, I have to go to Japan to investigate. I wonder if the master of the palace has anyone familiar with the route?" Wang Qi'an said.
"The reason why I know about the Guiyin Sect is because a good friend has been wandering in Fusang Kingdom for many years. He comes back to Hangzhou every now and then and tells me this Japanese anecdote. However, I have never traveled across the ocean."
"But...but if you insist on going, I can ask people to inquire about the merchant ships that have gone to sea recently. Are there any that want to go to Japan? It's just that it's too dangerous for you to go rashly."
Sima Shouren said worriedly.
"Anyway, Qi'an would like to thank the Palace Master in advance!" Wang Qi'an said.
Everyone returned to Hangzhou City from Jiangxin Island, and Wang Qi'an and others stayed at Sima Mansion as promised.
After wandering around for several days, the Tianfu guards came to report that someone wanted to see him.
"Master Xu, I've been waiting for you."
Wang Qi'an said happily when he saw that the person coming was Xu Gongming.
"As soon as the Quzhou case was concluded, I returned to Qiantang to finish my sentence, and then hurried to Hangzhou. Xu did not dare to forget the agreement with the young master, haha."
Xu Gongming smiled heartily.
Wang Qian also smiled and said:
"Master Xu arrived just in time. There is nothing important in the house. We can leave for Mingzhou tomorrow."
Mingzhou, a hundred miles away from Hangzhou, is a coastal city of Dongyue Kingdom.
Because the Yongjiang River passes through the city and rushes into the sea, it is also called Yongcheng.
Quan Zitan is a well-known timber merchant in Mingzhou City. He owns his own fleet and specializes in the overseas timber business. He has made a lot of money and is extremely wealthy.
Quan Mansion is built along the Yongjiang River. Although it is not as impressive as Sima Mansion, it is second to none in Mingzhou.
It is less than two miles away from the Sanjiang Wharf, which is the confluence of the three rivers in the city and has endless boats.
Wang Qi'an, Ji Wurui and Xu Gongming were currently mooring the speedboat by the Yongjiang River at the back wall of Quan Mansion.
Xu Gongming said:
"A month ago, I traced the area to Mingzhou based on the clues left by Senior Brother Yang before he disappeared. However, I found nothing more after entering the city and lost all clues."
"It wasn't until I heard you say in Quzhou that the case might have something to do with Japan, that I remembered that Sanjiang Wharf here is the port of choice for overseas transactions."
Ji Wurui said doubtfully:
"Then if we don't go to the dock, why do we come to visit this spring house?"
Xu Gongming's eyes showed a sharp look: "The other party uses coffins to hide people, and the largest coffin shop in the city belongs to this boss Quan!"
Wang Qian continued:
"I heard that Boss Quan's merchant fleet makes no less than four or five trips overseas every year. It would be logical if he transports people to Japan through him."
Ji Wurui nodded slightly and said:
"So, Quan Zitan is really hard to escape suspicion."
Wang Qi'an said: "Master Xu and I will go into the mansion to investigate. You will be waiting here to pick us up."
After saying that, he and Xu Gongming spread out their movements, jumped up on the outer wall, and swept through the house.
Quan Mansion occupies a large area, but fortunately the guards are lax. The two of them walked through the house and courtyard to explore the brightly lit areas.
At this time, the two people jumped onto a roof, and a conversation came from inside the house.
"It's been three days. Has Brother Quan still not arranged for the caravan to set off? We have something urgent and need to go back to report."
One man said in an urgent tone.
Knowing that they had finally found the real owner, Wang Qi'an hurriedly knelt down on the roof, hiding and listening attentively.
"Yes, Boss Quan, Yueying has been here for five or six days, and I haven't seen you make any arrangements." A soft female voice sounded.
"Wen Yueying." Wang Qier's whole body was shocked.
That day in Tingfeng Tower, he was severely injured by Wang Qi'an and escaped. He disappeared without a trace. Tonight, we met on the same road as the enemy.
This time he must seek justice for the Taoist brother of Taipingguan, Wang Qi'an secretly made up his mind.
Xu Gongming noticed that Wang Qian's expression was abnormal and couldn't help but look inquiring.
"This woman is the murderer of the Boluo Taipingguan murder case. She had a chance to escape last time in Prince Xing's Mansion. I will not let her go this time!"
Wang Qi'an explained to Xu Gongming with the sound of mosquitoes.
"You two, please be patient and take a few more sips of hot tea before we talk. How dare Quan make arrangements without receiving instructions from above."
A majestic man's voice sounded. His surname was Quan, and he must be the owner of this place, Quan Zitan.
"Hmph, I think you are trying to shirk. Otherwise, you can lend me a boat tomorrow and we can go back on our own." The man who made the initial sound seemed very dissatisfied.
"That's not necessary. I have received instructions from above today, and Quan will make appropriate arrangements."
"That's pretty much it..." Before the man could finish his words, the sound of Qi Jin weapons clashing suddenly came from below, followed by several screams and screams.
Wang Qi'an and Wang Qi'an were confused and couldn't help but look at each other, not knowing what was going on.
"Quan Zitan, what do you mean..." Yueying was heard panting and shouting hoarsely.
"You are so brave, how dare you betray Emperor Qin?" The man seemed to be injured and said in a weak voice.
"Master Xu's words are wrong. Without orders from above, how could Quan dare to attack you two?"
Quan Zitan said lightly.
"If I want to blame you, I can only blame you for your inability to do things well and for missing the important things of the Lord..."
There was another scuffle, and then it became quiet.
After a while, Quan Zitan shouted loudly: "Come here! Find a place to deal with these two people!"
It seemed that Wen Yueying and the two of them were in danger.
Wang Qi'an cautiously looked down, concentrating his eyes on the two people who were carried out.
The gorgeously dressed woman on the stretcher turned out to be Wen Yueying, and the other person he didn't expect was Xu Tianheng, the leader of the Xiaoshan Sect who escaped from Wangjiang Tower.
The leader of a sect died in such an embarrassing manner.
"Xu Tianheng is usually arrogant and arrogant, but he probably never imagined that such a day would happen, hehe!"
The two of them stepped out of the room, and a thin middle-aged man dressed like a master sneered.
The other burly man next to him was undoubtedly Quan Zitan.
"You don't need to gloat about his misfortune. If he makes a mistake, his fate today may be our fate tomorrow."
Quan Zitan was not happy at all, but said in a deep voice.
"Is there no news from Nanwu yet?"
He asked again after a pause.
The man who looked like a master shook his head and said:
"Boss, do you think they might have missed the point? According to time estimates, they should have arrived in Mingzhou long ago."
Quan Zitan seemed to be thinking about something and was silent.
"Let's take ten days. If they still don't show up, we won't wait and the merchant ship will set off as originally planned."
After Quan Zitan finished speaking, she took the lead and left, followed closely by the man who looked like a master.
"This man dressed as a master is probably Li Ce, the sworn second brother of Quan Zitan. It is said that he is good at reasoning and strategizing, and he is his important arm." Xu Gongming said, he had naturally done his homework before coming.
