Evil Master and Disciple

Although Ye Feng's mind was in a very mess, he wasn't completely confused yet.

That old man selling wontons was no ordinary person; otherwise, he wouldn't have known about the underground ruins of Bailing Temple, let alone that he had already comprehended the secrets of the magic array power station and the spacetime magic array within the ruins.

The most urgent task now is to keep this old man here. Ye Feng plans to finish dealing with his master's affairs in the next two days before returning to the capital to handle this matter.

He felt that the old man probably knew who built the ruins.

Although Lu Yunshi and Ye Feng had not known each other for long, his trust in Ye Feng was the same as his trust in Eunuch Luan.

Upon hearing Ye Feng's words, Lu Yunshi's expression changed slightly.

Seeing this, Ye Feng asked, "Godfather, what's wrong?"

Lu Yunshi said, "Oh no, that old Li said last night was the last time he set up his stall, he should have already left. I have to go after him now!"

Before Ye Feng could speak, Lu Yunshi put away the Spirit Sound Mirror.

He pushed open the door and appeared on the street in a flash.

It was just dawn, and Yiningfang was not a commercial street, so the streets were very deserted.

Lu Yunshi looked to the north, where the familiar stall that had been there for many years had disappeared, but two breakfast stalls were still there.

He immediately went over and asked the two stall owners.

The old man used to often set up a breakfast stall in the morning, and Lu Yunshi thought he could find out the whereabouts or address of the old man from the owners of the two breakfast stalls nearby.

However, after inquiring, Lu Yunshi was greatly disappointed.

Although these two stalls have been operating here for several years, they hardly interact with Old Li, the owner of the wonton stall, and don't know where he lives. They only occasionally see Old Li packing up and heading south along this street.

Although Yiningfang was home to many high-ranking officials and dignitaries, it also contained some alleys and lanes similar to those where Lu Yunshi lived. Without any clues, it was obviously impossible to find the old man's residence.

Lu Yunshi did not search blindly. Having spent many years in the palace, he naturally knew how to use certain methods.

The imperial court attaches great importance to commercial activities. Setting up a stall in such an important place as Yiningfang for a long time must mean that there is a record of it in the Nine City Patrol Division or the yamen. As long as we find the yamen and find Old Li's registration form, we can find out his address.

Of course, this is far from enough.

Nearly three hours have passed since they parted ways.

Lu Yunshi was worried that the old man had already left the city, so he had no choice but to use his connections to monitor all the city gates in the capital.

The city is now under strict control. A few days ago, cultivators were constantly flying in and out, but now the previous situation has been restored, and cultivators are prohibited from flying in the city.

The only way to leave the capital was through the various city gates.

Lu Yunshi immediately went to see Qiu, the head of the Sage's Pavilion, since he had a lot of power and it would be better to have him handle things.

Early in the morning, Qiu Yuanshou was having breakfast at the Sage's Pavilion when he saw Lu Yunshi rushing over. He was quite surprised, thinking that there had been progress regarding the twenty-eight vanished dragon veins.

Upon inquiry, it was learned that Lu Yunshi wanted his help to retrieve information about an old man selling wontons from the government office, and to have all the city gates in the capital keep an eye out for the old man so that he wouldn't leave the city.

Qiu Yuanshou asked curiously, "Mr. Lu, did this old man offend you? You are a cultivator, there's no need for you to argue with an old man selling goods at a stall."

Lu Yunshi shook his head and said, "Headmaster Qiu, this old man is no ordinary person. Last night, he stopped me from continuing to investigate the twenty-eight dragon veins that disappeared in Chongningfang. This person is definitely a cultivator, and he is very likely to know the secret of the dragon veins in the capital."

"Huh? Since this person is so important, why are you only looking for him now?"

"Alas, it's all my fault. I only contacted Ye Feng at dawn... Only three hours have passed, and the city gates of the capital are still not open. He should still be in the city... I beg Chief Qiu to help me. We must not let him leave the city."

When Qiu Yuan saw Lu Yunshi's serious expression, he knew that this person was definitely very important.

He immediately nodded and said, "I will issue an order to temporarily seal off the nine gates of the capital, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. At the same time, I will send someone with you to the yamen to retrieve this person's file."

Lu Yunshi originally wanted to ask Chief Qiu for help, so that the soldiers at each city gate could stop the older people. After all, these soldiers did not recognize him and did not have his portrait. They could only stop the elderly who wanted to leave the city.

Unexpectedly, Chief Qiu was so helpful, directly sealing off the nine gates, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

This demonstrates the immense power that Qiu Yuanshou, this retired old man from the Hanlin Academy, wielded in the imperial court.

Soon, the city and its surroundings were filled with people waiting to enter and exit. The people were very puzzled. In the past, the city gates would open on time at 3:45 AM. Why were the city gates still not open today, even though the time had passed?

Chief Qiu dispatched officials from the Hanlin Academy, carrying Chief Qiu's token, to the relevant government office to retrieve the old man's file.

The records are very detailed.

Name: Li Pianfeng.

Birth date: September 13th, 7th year of Tianzheng.

Address: No. 37 Yiningfang.

……

There is also a portrait of this old man in the archives.

After obtaining the old man's address, Lu Yunshi immediately went to No. 37 Yiningfang.

Number 37 is a very famous place in Yiningfang. It is located in the southeast corner of Yiningfang and used to be a large house with no entrance or exit.

Later, a fire broke out, and the house was burned to the ground. Later still, a businessman bought the land and built hundreds of houses on the ruins, renting them out to ordinary people.

The people who usually live here are mostly those who failed the imperial examinations. They are too lazy to go home, so they rent a room here to study while waiting for the next imperial examination.

Of course, there are also some merchants like Old Li who make a living in the inner city but cannot afford to buy a house there, so they rent here.

Before long, Lu Yunshi arrived at No. 37 Yiningfang.

Unlike the glamorous Yiningfang, this place was quite chaotic, with the sounds of children playing and reading, and a lively atmosphere.

Lu Yunshi saw a cart on the road in front of the door. He recognized the things piled on the cart; they were the same tools Old Li used for his stall.

After spending ten copper coins, and led by two children, Lu Yunshi arrived at the small courtyard where Old Li lived.

As soon as he reached the door, Lu Yunshi's expression turned serious.

Because he didn't sense any human presence in the courtyard.

Pushing open the courtyard gate and walking in, you'll find a very small courtyard with two rooms.

The interior looked very dilapidated.

Lu Yunshi called out loudly, "Old Li, are you there?"