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

After receiving her orders, Little Swallow, along with several clever guards, began to search the outskirts of the capital. This area was a melting pot of all sorts of people, and rumors were flying everywhere.

They weaved through the narrow streets and alleys, leaving no suspicious corner unchecked. With her lively and cheerful personality, Little Swallow quickly struck up conversations with some street vendors and hoodlums.

"Big brother, have any strange things happened around here lately?" Little Swallow asked a vendor selling candied hawthorns with a smile.

The vendor looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Speaking of strange things, there really is one. A few days ago, I saw some strangers dressed in all black, sneaking around that abandoned warehouse. They didn't look like good people."

Little Swallow's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "Do you know what they did? And what happened next?"

The vendor shook his head: "How would I know? They went inside later and never came out again."

Little Swallow thanked the vendor and immediately led the guards to the abandoned warehouse. The warehouse door was tightly closed, and a putrid smell permeated the air. They carefully circled around to the back of the warehouse and found a window that was half-open.

Little Swallow gestured for the guards to be quiet, then quietly climbed onto the window and peered inside. She saw the warehouse filled with all sorts of odds and ends, and in a corner, several men in black were sitting together, seemingly discussing something.

"I heard the higher-ups have already made arrangements, and they'll start the operation in a few days. The capital will definitely be in chaos then," said a man in black.

"Hmph, this time we'll show the imperial court what we're capable of," another man in black retorted viciously.

Little Swallow was startled. Just as she was about to continue listening, she accidentally knocked over a tile. The crash startled the men in black inside the warehouse.

"Who?" The men in black immediately became alert, stood up, and walked towards the window.

Little Swallow didn't have time to think. She quickly jumped down from the window and shouted to the guards, "Let's go!"

The group raced through the narrow streets, with the men in black in hot pursuit. Fortunately, Little Swallow was very familiar with the area and, leading the guards through a maze of twists and turns, finally managed to shake off the men in black.

Upon returning to the palace, Little Swallow immediately informed Xiao Jian and the others of the news.

"It seems that the remnants of the Shadow Cult are indeed still plotting something," Xiao Jian said with a solemn expression.

"Those people said they're going to take action in a few days, we need to think of something quickly," Little Swallow said anxiously.

“We’ll report this news to the Emperor first, then strengthen the palace’s defenses, and at the same time continue to investigate the background of those men in black,” Yongqi said.

The group immediately went to the Imperial Study and told Hongli in detail what had happened.

"Your Majesty, the situation is urgent. We must take immediate action to prevent the Shadow Cult's plot from succeeding," Xiao Jian said.

Hongli frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "You have done a good job. Immediately strengthen the palace's defenses and increase the frequency of patrols. At the same time, continue the investigation and make sure to completely thwart their conspiracy before they can act."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the crowd replied in unison.

Meanwhile, in the dilapidated house in Qingyan Town, the mysterious man was listening to his subordinates' report.

"Master, there seems to be some movement in the capital. Our men stationed on the outskirts have been discovered, and we've lost track of several unidentified individuals," a man in black reported.

The mysterious man's face darkened: "It seems our plan may have been discovered. Notify everyone to speed up the operation; we can't delay any longer."

“Yes, Master. However, our inside man…” the man in black said with some worry.

“There’s no need to worry about him for now. I’ve already told him to be careful. As long as he can steal the secret edict as planned, we’ll have leverage to negotiate with the court.” A sinister glint flashed in the mysterious man’s eyes.

Meanwhile, in a mansion in the capital, the advisor who had been recruited by the mysterious man was restless. He knew that once he took this step, there would be no turning back, but the thought of the generous rewards and high-ranking positions promised by the mysterious man made him somewhat tempted.

“No, I can’t take the risk. If I’m discovered, my whole family will be doomed,” the aide muttered to himself, but soon he shook his head. “But this is my only chance to get ahead. If I miss it, I’ll never have another one.”

The inner struggle tormented him, but ultimately, desire triumphed over reason. He gritted his teeth and decided to follow the mysterious man's plan.

A storm is about to break out in the capital. Will Xiao Jian and his companions be able to uncover the conspiracy and stop the mysterious figure's actions in time? Will the secret edict in the palace remain untouched? Everything is fraught with uncertainty and unpredictability...

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