If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Zhang Fan's death finally put Zhou Wu's mind at ease.

The emperor did not make a big fuss about Zhang Fan's death, and did not even seem particularly sad.

It seems that the emperor was also dissatisfied with Zhang Fan, or perhaps he had other political motives. Otherwise, it would be quite rare for the emperor not to feel grief and indignation at the death of such a high-ranking general as Zhang Fan.

"Finally, I can go back to the South China Sea."

With the major matter on his mind settled, Zhou Wu boarded a ship back to the South China Sea. However, no sooner had he left than several strange men arrived at Zhang Fan's residence.

Zhang Mansion.

Four strange men were questioning Zhang Fan's wife: a tall, thin man, a short, fat man, an old woman, and a child.

"Zhang Fan is dead?"

An old woman with a hunched back and a dark face spoke in a hoarse voice, as if she hadn't drunk water in a long time.

"Yes, he died not long ago while participating in the imperial court's autumn hunt."

The one who answered was Zhang Fan's wife, who was standing respectfully in front of the strange men.

"How did you die?"

There were four strange people in total. One of them, a man who was as thin as a rake but two meters tall, spoke up and asked a question.

"They said it was a natural death."

Mrs. Zhang Fan seemed somewhat afraid of these people and dared not deceive them.

The old woman at the head of the group pondered for a moment, then headed toward Zhang Fan's secret room.

The old woman flicked her sleeve, and the tightly locked door to the secret room opened by itself.

Whether it was divine intervention or sorcery, it terrified everyone in the mansion.

After the old woman went inside, she searched around for a while, and finally seemed to have found what she wanted. Satisfied, she called her companion to leave.

Only after the four people left did the oppressive atmosphere in the mansion dissipate.

"Mother, who are these strange people?"

Zhang Fan's daughter, who had been hiding in the inner room, finally came out and timidly asked her mother a question.

"My dear daughter, don't ask around, and don't associate with these people."

Madam Zhang looked nervous and immediately dismissed her daughter's question.

. . . . . .

In the suburbs, at the burial mound where Zhang Fan is buried.

The sky was gradually darkening, and there was no one around. Coupled with the graves scattered everywhere, it was somewhat chilling.

However, the four strange men who appeared at Zhou Wu's house during the day are now standing in front of Zhang Fan's grave.

The coffin had been opened, and among the four people, the short, stout one was dissecting Zhang Fan's body.

"He died of poisoning."

The short, fat man pulled out one of Zhang Fan's organs, sniffed it, and gave the answer, demonstrating his cleverness.

"What's the name of the person Zhang Fan mentioned in his previous letter?"

The old woman seemed to be the leader of the group, speaking in a commanding tone.

"Call him Zhou Wu."

"Go and find out where Zhou Wu is now."

"it is good."

The one speaking was the child, but upon closer inspection of his face, features, and expression, it was not difficult to discover that he was a dwarf.

After responding, the dwarf disappeared from the spot at an extremely fast speed.

At this moment, Zhou Wu was unaware that he had been targeted by a group of strange people.

Following the information he had gathered, the strange man found the South China Sea, then lay in wait, ready to strike at any moment.

. . . . . . .

Today is the Torch Festival.

Actually, there are no traditional festivals in the South China Sea. However, after Zhou Wu arrived, in addition to the festivals that Da Long usually celebrated, Zhou Wu also created a few festivals himself in order to promote the South China Sea, such as the Torch Festival.

The Torch Festival lasts for three days. During these three days, people dress up in their finest costumes, and there are performance troupes parading through the streets. In the evening, there are bonfire parties.

At noon, as the city lord, he would naturally come out to take charge of the overall situation, participate in the Torch Festival, and celebrate with the people.

The parade circled around Nanhai City and finally arrived at the bustling Nanhai Square.

A wonderful show is being performed in an open space in the center of the square.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to perform a magic trick for you."

The hunchbacked old woman had wrapped herself up very tightly.

Holding a wooden board in one hand, he shook it left and right twice, and the board turned into a wooden box. This little trick surprised everyone.

Then the old woman reached into the wooden box and pulled out a pigeon, then a second, a third, and a fourth.

The onlookers were stunned by the amazing magic trick and exclaimed in amazement.

Zhou Wu had seen many such magic tricks in his previous life, and even more spectacular ones, so he was not affected by them, but he still clapped along with everyone.

"The above was just a warm-up. Next, I'll show you a magic trick of making a person disappear."

After the old woman finished speaking, her eyes began to scan the scene, searching for a target.

"Wow,"

"A person disappearing into thin air? I've never seen that before."

"That sounds really impressive."

Everyone was talking about it, and some of the bolder ones had already started raising their hands, eager to try.

"Lord of the City, would you please cooperate with this old woman's performance?"

The old woman faced Zhou Wu and spoke respectfully.

Zhou Wu was slightly taken aback at first, then readily agreed.

"Okay, I'd like to see it too."

In his previous life, Zhou Wu had seen many magic tricks, but who could resist the allure of magic? Now that he had the chance, Zhou Wu wanted to see what the secrets were.

Zhou Wu followed the old woman onto the stage, and the enthusiasm of the people below surged even higher when they saw Zhou Wu on stage.

The old woman had put on quite a show, whetting everyone's appetite. Her companion then pushed over a wooden box as tall as a person; judging by its size, it was undoubtedly meant to hold a person.

"Please come into the box, sir."

Zhou Wu followed the old woman's instructions and went into the box. The next step was for the old woman to close the box door.

Seemingly to create a festive atmosphere, the box door was divided into two sections. The lower section had just been closed, so Zhou Wu could still wave and greet the audience.

The old woman closed the last door, and Zhou Wu was instantly plunged into darkness, unable to see anything, but he could still hear the shouts outside.

Outside, where Zhou Wu couldn't see, the old woman, as usual, took out a barrier prop and completely covered herself and the wooden box, then kept waving her hands.

The blue cloth on the fence began to sway, and amidst the cheers of the crowd, the fence fell down, but the old woman and the wooden box containing Zhou Wu were no longer inside.

"grown ups!"

The "disappearance act" truly made the person vanish, further exciting the onlookers. Only Lin Niangzi and Niu Er noticed something was wrong and immediately called their men to search for Zhou Wu.

"Men, cordon off the area and search for all suspicious persons."

Niu Er even ordered that no one on site was allowed to leave.

"Men, go and block the dock; do not allow any ships to leave the port."

Lady Li immediately thought of sealing off the port.

"Bring the opera troupe owner here."

They knew this wasn't a magic trick; Zhou Wu had really been kidnapped again.