Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

The cave was filled with a tense atmosphere mixed with the stench of blood. Although the battle was over, the mood of the group was far from relaxed. Hongli looked at the items he had retrieved from the cave, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.

Little Swallow sidled up to Hongli and asked eagerly, "Your Majesty, what exactly are these things? Can they unravel the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy?"

Hongli shook his head slightly and said, "It's not clear yet. These objects seem mysterious and unpredictable. It will probably take some time and effort to figure out their secrets."

Erkang stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Shadow Pavilion operates in secrecy. Although we have captured their leader this time, it is hard to guarantee that there are no other remnants. We still need to proceed with caution."

“Yes, Erkang is right.” Hongli nodded in agreement. “Su Peisheng, immediately send these things to Lin Yuxuan so that he can figure them out as soon as possible. At the same time, strengthen the palace’s defenses to prevent the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion from resorting to desperate measures.”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng accepted the order and left.

Little Swallow looked at the Shadow Pavilion leader who was being held captive, her eyes filled with anger: "Hmph! You despicable bastard, speak quickly! What other schemes does your Shadow Pavilion have up your sleeve? And where are your remaining followers hiding?"

The leader of the Shadow Pavilion merely smiled coldly and did not reply.

"You!" Little Swallow raised her hand in anger, but Hongli stopped her.

“Little Swallow, don’t be impulsive. We need to use some strategy to deal with this kind of person.” Hongli looked at the leader of the Shadow Pavilion, his tone authoritative yet with a hint of composure. “Do you think that if you don’t talk, I can’t do anything to you? You should know your current situation. Confessing might give you a glimmer of hope.”

The leader of the Shadow Pavilion kept his lips tightly closed, his eyes revealing a hint of determination.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, he won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin," Little Swallow said angrily.

At this moment, Physician Liu was helped over. Although he was weak, he still managed to say, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy this time is not as simple as it seems. They captured me because they wanted to get some secrets about the palace from me. I would rather die than reveal a single word."

"Imperial Physician Liu, thank you for your hard work. Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate this matter and make the mastermind pay the price." Hongli looked at Imperial Physician Liu gratefully.

"Your Majesty, I think we can start with some of the Shadow Pavilion's communication methods. Although the intercepted letters have deciphered 'Black Moon Valley,' there might be other hidden information," Er Kang suggested.

“Yes, you’re right. Lin Yuxuan is already studying the letters; hopefully, he’ll make some new discoveries,” Hongli said.

Just as everyone was discussing the next step of the plan, a guard rushed in, knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, news has come from the Prime Minister's residence that Young Master Lin Yuxuan has discovered some strange symbols while studying those letters. They seem to have some connection with the ones we deciphered before, but we cannot determine their meaning for the time being."

“It seems things are getting more and more complicated.” Hongli frowned. “Immediately issue my decree, ordering Lin Yuxuan and the others to continue their in-depth research and to figure out the meaning of these symbols as soon as possible.”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard acknowledged the order and left.

Xiao Yanzi said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy is like a fog. When will we be able to completely dispel this fog and see the truth?"

Hongli held Xiaoyanzi's hand and comforted her, "Xiaoyanzi, don't worry. Although there are many difficulties at the moment, every new discovery is a step forward for us. As long as we persevere, we will eventually uncover the truth."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I believe in you!" Xiao Yanzi looked at Hongli firmly.

A few days later, Lin Yuxuan rushed to the palace with his research results.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, after careful study, we have discovered that these new symbols seem to point to a time and another mysterious location—'Youyue Ridge'," Lin Yuxuan said.

“Youyue Ridge? Another place I’ve never heard of before,” Hongli said, frowning.

"Your Majesty, no matter where this place is, we must investigate. It might be related to the Shadow Pavilion's next conspiracy," Xiao Yanzi said.

"Yes, this operation requires even greater caution. I will first send some spies to Youyue Ridge to gather information and see if there is anything unusual there," Hongli said.

"Your Majesty, I would also like to go with the secret agents. I know a little about things in the martial arts world, and maybe I can be of help," Er Kang said.

“No, Erkang. This mission is fraught with danger, and I cannot allow you to take it on,” Hongli refused.

“Your Majesty, I am not afraid of danger. I am willing to serve Your Majesty and the court!” Er Kang said firmly.

Little Swallow chimed in, "Your Majesty, let Erkang go. He's clever and skilled in martial arts; he'll definitely be able to complete the mission successfully."

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, Erkang, you can go, but you must be careful and report back immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" After receiving the order, Erkang set off for Youyue Ridge with several spies.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi continued to examine the items seized from the Shadow Pavilion, trying to find more clues.

“Your Majesty, look at this object. It has some strange patterns carved on it, which seem to resemble the Bagua (Eight Trigrams).” Little Swallow said, pointing to an object.

Hongli examined it carefully and said, "Hmm, you're right. This might be related to the ancient formation the old Taoist priest mentioned earlier. It seems that the Shadow Pavilion's conspiracy is becoming increasingly connected to this formation."

"But Your Majesty, what exactly is this formation? What do they want to do with it?" Xiao Yanzi asked疑惑地.

"I am also pondering this issue. It seems that this formation possesses immense power, and the Shadow Pavilion intends to use it for ulterior motives," Hongli said.

Just then, Su Peisheng walked in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Prince Hongzhou requests an audience."

"Bring him in," Hongli said.

Hongzhou walked in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that you are investigating the Shadow Pavilion. How is it progressing?"

Hongli briefly explained the current situation to Hongzhou.

After listening, Hongzhou said, "Your Majesty, I think we can start our investigation by looking at the Shadow Pavilion's financial resources. For an organization to operate, it must need a lot of money. Finding their funding sources might lead us to discover more clues."

“Hmm, Hongzhou, your idea is good. Su Peisheng, go and arrange for people to secretly investigate the economic dealings of the Shadow Pavilion,” Hongli said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng accepted the order and left.

Hongzhou looked at Hongli and Xiaoyanzi and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, this matter concerning the Shadow Pavilion is of utmost importance. We must work together to completely thwart their conspiracy."

"Yes, with your support and everyone else's support, my confidence has greatly increased," Hongli said.

However, what discoveries will Erkang make at Youyue Ridge? Will the financial resources of the Shadow Pavilion be successfully traced? Where will these new clues lead Hongli, Xiaoyanzi, and the others? Everything remains shrouded in uncertainty and challenges…

This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.