The Empress's No.1 Lackey
Chapter 577 - 577: 422. Coastal Magistrate, take a look, who am I? (5k)

In the morning, a caravan from the north arrived in Feng City.

The carriages traveled along the main road that runs through this ancient city from south to north, the wheels turning and producing a monotonous sound as they rolled over the bluestone slabs.

Zhao Douan sat inside his own carriage, lifting the curtain to let his gaze sweep across the ancient architecture lining the streets of Feng City—the buildings of the Coastal Marine Road, different from those in the Capital and along the Huai River.

Most of the structures were two-story, with roofs steeper and larger than those in the north, and ditches were dug on both sides of the street to channel rainwater.

The "Great Yu Geographical Record" states that the terrain of the Coastal Marine Road is low, near the East Sea, with Feng City's terrain especially low-lying. Additionally, due to its proximity to a mountain range called "Yunling," it forms a particularly rainy geographical pattern.

Yunling stretches southward, intermittently reaching "Luo Mountain" on Jiancheng Road, the site of "Sealing" ceremonies for emperors of past dynasties.

To the east of Feng City, one would reach the "Daqing Mountain" next to Martial Emperor City, shrouded all year round in sea mist.

"Qingshan being located by the coast means there is a significant presence of Martial World forces along the Coastal Marine Road. Greenwoods criminals often traverse this boundary, and Zhuang Xiaocheng hiding here certainly took some thought."

Zhao Douan retracted his gaze, holding in his hand the ancient and mysterious "Fengyue Treasure Mirror."

At this moment, his plain and ordinary face, after being disguised with a mask, was reflected in the bronze mirror surface.

"Zhuang Xiaocheng..."

Zhao Douan stared into the mirror, recalling the appearance of Zhuang Xiaocheng in his mind. Clouds of mist surged and rolled on the mirror's surface, vaguely attempting to manifest an image, but it was too blurred to see clearly.

"As expected, although Zhuang Xiaocheng is a mortal, he certainly has means to avoid being traced by magic. The Fengyue Treasure Mirror also cannot peer into him... However, the reaction of the treasure mirror suggests that this person is most likely indeed within the boundaries of Feng City. Otherwise, casting the spell would simply fail, not become pixelated like this..."

Zhao Douan was not surprised. This meant that the method of directly finding the headquarters through the Fengyue Treasure Mirror was not viable.

It was also not surprising; if it were that easy to find, the Kuangfu Society would have been eliminated long ago.

Feeling the caravan turning, Zhao Douan flicked his wrist, putting away the bronze mirror, waiting silently.

...

Not long after, the carriage wound through the streets, finally stopping behind an inn located in a slightly secluded area.

The members of Jinyi, disguised as caravan personnel, alighted and knocked on the door, then led the carriage and goods into the inn's backyard.

They put on a façade of conducting business and looking for accommodation.

Zhao Douan stepped down from the carriage, glanced at his colleagues who also emerged, exchanged a gaze, and the group entered the backyard, guided by a staff, into the central hall of the courtyard.

The central hall was not large, with tables and chairs placed on either side, and cheap calligraphies and paintings on the walls.

"This is a base of the court's Shadow Guards, ha, the inn is genuine, operated by outer circle Shadow Guards for transmitting information."

Haitang, noticing Gongshu Tianyuan and the absent-minded Jin Jian looking curious, took the initiative to explain in a low voice.

The Little Fatty Priest slowly nodded, crossed arms boldly, and surveyed the room's furnishings:

"When we disciples from the Heavenly Master Mansion go out, we can present a talisman to stay at any Daoist temple, and even at any government office, we are honored guests."

As a Priest Zhu Dian, Gongshu Tianyuan joined the government team this time to return a favor, but in his heart, he constantly thought about upholding the grand image of the Heavenly Master Mansion.

"Heavenly Master Mansion's priests represent the face of the Daoist leader when outside. One must not lose face!" Before leaving the city, Gongshu Tianyuan repeatedly reminded the muddleheaded Jin Jian.

At this moment, although the young priestess's small face was full of fatigue, her eyelids drooping uncontrollably, hearing her senior brother's words, she still straightened up, proud:

"Yes... yawn..."

No... This fat Gongshu always thinking about not losing face is one thing, but even though you're so tired, why join in the bustle... Zhao Douan thought to himself, suddenly feeling a bit of a headache, wondering if Jin Jian would only be able to fight at night because of her condition.

The group had just sat down in the hall when two figures walked in shoulder to shoulder from outside, they were:

A young man dressed as a scholar, with a sickly pale complexion, looking as if a breeze could topple him.

A martial heroine, with a longsword strapped to her back, her face covered by a large bronze mask.

At this moment, from the hollow of her mask, two sharp eyes stared out.

The two entered the room, their gazes swept around, fixing on a stranger sitting in the main seat, and bowed in greeting:

"We salute Mr. Zhao, we were unaware of your arrival and failed to welcome you from afar."

The spies waiting at the Golden Fortune Inn were the same two "Gold Shadow Guards" who had previously captured County Magistrate Wang Chusheng in Taicang.

The man's codename was "Scholar," and the heroine's codename was "Red Leaf."

The latter, suspected to be a descendant of Pei Niannu, had a file that Zhao Douan had reviewed back in the palace, and left a strong impression on him.

Given their recognized capabilities, when planning the prisoner exchange and inserting spies, Zhao Douan had assigned them the task of liaising with the spies.

Before coming to Feng City this time, the arrangements were made, and the two Shadow Guards had arrived earlier, staying at the inn for several days in the guise of "travelers."

"No need for formalities, sit and talk," Zhao Douan indicated with a smile, and when the two Shadow Guards sat somewhat restrainedly, he asked, "The purpose of my incognito visit should be clear to you by now. Has there been any changes in this place during this period?"

The Scholar and Red Leaf exchanged a glance, with the former solemnly saying, "To report, sir, as per your instructions, we have maintained secret contact with the spies led by 'Xi Zi.' The many rebels exchanged in the past are still housed in a manor ten miles east of the city and have yet to be moved. During the festival days, the rebels gathered here, and Zhuang Xiaocheng appeared... regrettably, it was without prior warning, and by the time the spies relayed the message back, the people had already dispersed."