In the process, he discovered an important Destiny Image and consumed a Qi Fortune Fish to understand the full story.
It turned out that the Seventh-Grade Direct Inheritor from Demon Transformation Mountain was named Zhang Yulin. While his subordinates were investigating Nether Mountain, they found a suspicious person. After a thorough investigation, they discovered that person was indeed from Nether Mountain, so they decided to cast a long line to catch a big fish.
Just yesterday, they discovered that the Datong Martial Arts Hall was actually a secret stronghold for Nether Mountain.
So, Zhang Yulin first led his men to scout the area. Once they confirmed it, they would send a message to the Ministry of Justice and request their experts to come and eliminate the Nether Mountain rebels.
’Looks like my previous inference of the Trend Formation cloud was correct. The Datong Martial Arts Hall was one of the places I suspected, and its Trend Formation cloud was indeed clearly distinct from those related to the Imperial Court. I thought it was strange at the time. The Trend Formation clouds of ordinary martial arts halls in the county are usually white or green, indicating Lower-Grade or Middle-Grade forces. At most, they might have a slight mix of yellow or purple. But the green cloud over Datong Martial Arts Hall was thick with purple and black. It seems that purple aura is the aura of Nether Mountain.’
Li Qingxian went to a spot not far from the Datong Martial Arts Hall and used his Observation Skill in a small alley.
Above the Datong Martial Arts Hall floated a green cloud cluster about a hundred feet in diameter. Wisps of white mist rose from below, turning green as they entered the cloud.
The courtyards surrounding the Datong Martial Arts Hall also emitted wisps of white mist that flowed into the green cloud.
Within that green cloud cluster was a large patch stained with purple and black, a muddled mixture of the two.
After watching for only a short while, Li Qingxian’s Magical Power was depleted, forcing him to stop. He then began his inference slowly.
’That black should represent ’calamity.’ You can’t say whether this force is right or wrong, only that it will bring disaster for now. What’s interesting is that all the yellowish Trend Formation clouds I saw before were entangled with black...’
Li Qingxian slowly recalled the details of the Datong Martial Arts Hall’s Trend Formation cloud. He repeatedly made inferences based on the verses and content of the Observation Skill, and soon discovered a problem.
’The green of the Datong Martial Arts Hall’s cloud is so vibrant it’s glowing. This means a large number of Middle-Grade experts are stationed inside. If there’s a Fourth-Grade master like Jiangg Youfei or Zhou Henn, the consequences...’
Li Qingxian decisively turned and left. He used magic to change his appearance several times, and only after confirming he wasn’t being followed did he return to the Patrol Bureau’s temporary office near the County Magistrate’s Office.
Li Qingxian summoned Han Anbo and said, "I suspect the people at Datong Martial Arts Hall might be from Nether Mountain, but I want the Ministry of Justice to take the lead. See what you can do to make the Ministry of Justice realize that we already know Datong Martial Arts Hall is a problem, and that we’re mobilizing our forces. This should force them to act quickly."
Han Anbo said in a low voice, "You mean, Datong Martial Arts Hall is actually hiding experts."
"I didn’t say that. I just said I hope the Ministry of Justice takes the lead."
Han Anbo smiled slightly. "I understand. I’ll make the arrangements!"
Li Qingxian then found Jingg Guan and said, "Through my Fate Skill and some clues, I’ve discovered that Datong Martial Arts Hall is likely hiding multiple Middle-Grade experts. I need you to report this immediately and send for people. Request at least one Third Grade to oversee the operation. But this must be kept confidential, because the Ministry of Justice has already found out as well."
"A Third Grade?" Jingg Guan was both shocked and delighted. Shocked because he didn’t expect the enemy to be so formidable, and delighted because this could be a great achievement.
Li Qingxian said cryptically, "The Ministry of Justice is likely underprepared. We can’t make the same mistake. My meaning is, we should play it safe. On the surface, we’ll just transfer Room Leader Hex’s people over, but secretly, we’ll mobilize experts from the Night Guard, the military, and the Inner Court."
"It’s difficult to mobilize a Third Grade unless there’s concrete evidence," Jingg Guan said.
"Can’t you figure something out?" Li Qingxian asked.
Jingg Guan shook his head. "Upper Grade and Middle Grade are worlds apart. They are pillars of the state; how could they be deployed so easily? The Demon Race is launching a major offensive right now, and many of the Upper Three Grades have been transferred to the Great River Frontline. Even the Imperial City is short on Third Grades. Unless we can confirm the enemy has an Upper-Grade Expert, the most we can dispatch is Middle Grades. Think about it, even Lord Yan Shixiao and Lord Zhou Chunfeng are only Middle-Grade Fourth Grades. That’s how rare Upper Grades are. Besides, do you think every Upper Grade is willing to go up against Nether Mountain and the Netherworld Lord?"
"Then find a way to get a few more Fourth Grades. I have a feeling this matter won’t be small," Li Qingxian said.
Jingg Guan narrowed his eyes and said, "Alright. I’ll ask Lord Yan to decide."
After speaking, Jingg Guan took out a Communication Talisman Disc wrapped in Magic Cloth. He reached out, peeled off a Yellow Talisman, and the blue Magic Cloth slid open, revealing a black-patterned brass disc about a foot in diameter.
He reached out and touched it. The brass disc vibrated gently, and a semi-transparent bronze rod rose from its center. The rod extended eight fine needles, and a semi-transparent Yellow Talisman hung from each one.
Jingg Guan reached out and touched one of them. His lips moved, but Li Qingxian couldn’t hear what he was saying.
The Yellow Talisman dissolved into light and flew away. A long while later, a ray of yellow light returned to its original spot and reformed into the Yellow Talisman.
Jingg Guan touched a new Yellow Talisman and smiled. "Lord Yan says he will mobilize forces. He will temporarily gather experts from the Divine Capital Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, the Five Cities Military Department, the Beichang Guard, the Night Guard, and the Internal Factory. There will be no shortage of Middle Grades, with at least two Fourth Grades."
"Still not enough," Li Qingxian said.
Jingg Guan smiled. "There might not be many high-level Middle Grades, but since the Beichang Guard and the Internal Factory are getting involved, they will certainly bring many Magical Artifacts. Even if the enemy has more Middle Grades, they won’t be able to withstand a large number of Magical Artifacts."
Li Qingxian nodded.
"The reinforcements will be stationed outside the city. Once we send the Internal Factory’s signal, they will rendezvous with us. Qingxian, this is the Patrol Bureau’s first strike. There’s no room for error." Jingg Guan stared into Li Qingxian’s eyes.
Li Qingxian knew what he meant and said, "Don’t worry. This was my proposal. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility."
Jingg Guan smiled. "You’re a Fate Master. Nether Mountain will definitely not let you go. Be extra careful."
Li Qingxian nodded. He had been targeted by Nether Mountain before, but he had retaliated by taking down several of their strongholds in the Capital City. On top of that, he had received a character bestowed by the Emperor, so it was highly likely the Netherworld Lord himself was paying attention to him.
The two of them calculated the time. The mobilized forces wouldn’t have many cavalry, so factoring in preparation, travel, and rest, the earliest group wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow night. They had to hold steady tomorrow and not alert the enemy.
After breakfast the next morning, Li Qingxian changed into the long robes of a scholar and wandered around the city like a traveling student.
Every time he reached a place with a Nether Mountain Trend Formation cloud, he would mark it on the Magic Text map in his Spirit Platform.
Around noon, Li Qingxian found a bustling restaurant, ordered a few dishes, and listened to the surrounding conversations as he rested.
After a few bites, a group of people walked in through the entrance and passed by him.
In his peripheral vision, Li Qingxian caught sight of a familiar slender figure—the same one he had seen at the apothecary’s entrance yesterday. He looked up.
The person was dressed in a man’s white silk robe, with a face as smooth as jade—a handsome young master. They were not tall, but their back was straight, their lips red and teeth white. Their eyes were like the shimmering waters of Jiangnan.
Following him were a young girl in emerald green clothes and a middle-aged man in a green brocade robe with a sorrowful expression.
Li Qingxian paused for a moment. He was sure he had never met this handsome young master before, yet he felt a sense of familiarity.
The young master glanced at Li Qingxian, then suddenly stopped. After a closer look, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "We parted on the bridge, and here we meet again."
Li Qingxian had a flash of realization. The person’s voice was extremely similar to that of White Deer Head Shen Xiaoyi, only clearer and more melodious, with a heavier Jiangnan accent.
"Young Master Shen?" Li Qingxian asked tentatively.
"Indeed," Shen Xiaoyi nodded slightly.
"It’s you..." The girl in green suddenly covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.