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

After leaving the palace gardens, the secret teams each began their operations according to Fu Ankang's instructions. Liu Meng went to the cell where the Shadow Cult prisoners were held, intending to extract clues from them; Li Feng disguised himself and mingled in the streets, trying to find clues about the Shadow Cult from rumors circulating in the martial arts world; Zhang Yu used his connections in the martial arts world to investigate those hidden messages.

Liu Meng arrived at the prison cell, which was dark, damp, and filled with a pungent stench of decay. The guards, upon seeing Liu Meng, immediately saluted and opened the cell door. Liu Meng entered the cell, his gaze sweeping over the prisoners, some dejected, others glaring angrily.

Liu Meng walked up to a rather thin-looking prisoner, squatted down, and stared intently at him: "I'm asking you, where is the Shadow Cult's stronghold? Who is supporting you?"

The prisoner snorted coldly and turned his head away: "Hmph, you want me to talk? Dream on!"

Liu Meng frowned, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "You'd better tell the truth, or you'll be in for a world of trouble!"

The prisoner remained unmoved, his lips still tightly pressed together. Liu Meng stood up and paced around the cell, pondering a solution. Suddenly, he stopped and pulled a small bottle from his pocket, containing a liquid that emitted a strange odor.

"If you don't speak, I'll force-feed you this stuff. You'll be in a state of utter misery!" Liu Meng threatened, shaking the bottle in his hand.

A flicker of fear crossed the prisoner's eyes, but he gritted his teeth and insisted, "I won't say a word!"

Liu Meng sneered, stepped forward, grabbed the prisoner's chin, forcibly pried open his mouth, and poured the liquid from the bottle into him.

"Cough cough..." The prisoner coughed violently, a painful expression on his face.

"Now, can you speak?" Liu Meng asked coldly.

The prisoner, panting heavily, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "I'll say... The Shadow Cult has a stronghold in the west of the city. I don't know the exact location, but I know it's near an abandoned temple. As for the supporters behind it, I really don't know. I'm just a small fry."

Liu Meng was overjoyed and continued to press, "Then whose orders were given for this attack on the palace?"

The prisoner shook his head: "I really don't know. The higher-ups just told us to follow orders, and they didn't say anything else."

Judging from the prisoner's expression, Liu Meng believed he was telling the truth. He stood up and told the guard, "Keep an eye on him, don't let him die." Then he turned and left the cell.

Meanwhile, Li Feng had changed into tattered clothes and donned a straw hat, mingling among the bustling streets. He moved between various taverns and teahouses, listening to people's conversations.

In a corner, several martial arts figures were sitting together drinking and chatting. Li Feng went over, ordered a bowl of wine, and pretended to listen to their conversation casually.

"Have you heard? There was a big commotion at the palace a few days ago, apparently caused by the Shadow Cult," said a burly man with a full beard.

"The Shadow Cult? That's a mysterious organization. How dare they attack the palace?" another tall, thin man asked in surprise.

"Who knows? Maybe some big shot is backing them up," the burly man with the thick beard said, taking a sip of his drink.

Li Feng's heart stirred. He slowly approached them and said with a smile, "Brothers, I've also heard about this. I'm quite curious about the Shadow Cult. Do you know anything about its background?"

The burly man with the thick beard glanced at Li Feng, and seeing his honest and unassuming appearance, said, "This Shadow Cult is said to have existed for a long time, always hiding in the shadows, doing some shady things. Their people are all skilled in martial arts, and their methods are ruthless."

Li Feng then asked, "Do they have any strongholds or anything like that in this city?"

The tall, thin man frowned: "I don't know about that, but I've heard they're quite active in the west of the city, though I don't know their exact location."

Li Feng was secretly pleased, as this somewhat matched the information Liu Meng had obtained from the prisoners. He chatted with them for a few more minutes, then made an excuse to leave.

Zhang Yu then arrived at a secluded alley, which served as one of his contact points in the martial arts world. He knocked on a dilapidated door, which opened a crack, and a one-eyed old man peeked out.

"Zhang Yu, what brings you here?" the one-eyed old man asked.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Uncle One-Eyed, I've come to ask you about something. Do you know about the Shadow Cult?"

The one-eyed old man's expression changed. He looked around warily, then pulled Zhang Yu into the house and closed the door.

"Why are you asking about this? The Shadow Cult is not someone to be trifled with," the one-eyed old man said.

Zhang Yu briefly recounted the attack on the palace, then said, "Uncle One-Eyed, I'm currently helping the court investigate this matter. If you know anything, please tell me."

The one-eyed old man hesitated for a moment before saying, "I have indeed heard some things. The Shadow Cult has been making a big move in the west of the city recently, it seems they are preparing something. I don't know the specifics. However, I heard they have been in contact with a bandit gang called 'Black Wind Stronghold'."

Zhang Yu's heart skipped a beat: "Black Wind Stronghold? What is the relationship between Black Wind Stronghold and the Shadow Cult?"

The one-eyed old man shook his head: "I don't know about that, I just heard it from some rumors. You have to be careful, the people of Black Wind Stronghold are all ruthless."

Zhang Yu thanked the one-eyed old man and left the contact point. As he walked, he pondered the old man's words.

As evening fell, the three met at an abandoned warehouse as agreed. The warehouse was filled with a musty smell, and the corners were piled with junk.

Liu Meng first recounted the information he had obtained from the prisoners, Li Feng then told him what he had learned in the marketplace, and Zhang Yu spoke of the Black Wind Stronghold.

“It seems that the west side of the city is worth investigating. Let’s go to the west side of the city together tomorrow,” Liu Meng said.

Li Feng nodded: "Okay, but we need to be careful. The Shadow Cult must have defenses in the west of the city."

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "What's there to be afraid of? With the three of us working together, what are we afraid of?"

The three discussed some specific action plans until it was completely dark before they dispersed.

In the imperial study of the palace, Hongli sat at his desk, reviewing memorials sent from all over the country. Fuheng stood beside him, his expression serious.

"Your Majesty, Fu Ankang's secret team has begun its operations. I hope they can uncover the truth as soon as possible," Fu Heng said.

Hongli nodded slightly: "Yes, this matter is of great importance and must be investigated as soon as possible. As long as the Shadow Cult is not eliminated, this worry on my mind will never be gone."

Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."

Hongli frowned slightly: "Summon her in."

Little Swallow skipped and hopped into the Imperial Study. Upon seeing Hongli and Fuheng, she quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Fuheng."

Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi and asked, "Empress, what is it?"

Little Swallow said with a grin, "Your Majesty, Yongqi and I have been keeping an eye on things inside and outside the palace these past two days, but we haven't found anything suspicious. However, I was thinking, could we do something to help the secret team?"

Hongli smiled and said, "You and Yongqi are very thoughtful. However, the secret team's operations require absolute secrecy, so you shouldn't interfere easily. Just do your own job and protect yourselves."

Little Swallow was a little disappointed: "Alright, Your Majesty. If we discover anything, we will definitely tell you immediately."

Hongli nodded: "Alright. You can go back now. Fuheng and I still have some things to discuss."

After bowing, Xiao Yanzi turned and left the Imperial Study.

Fu Heng watched Xiao Yanzi's departing figure and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress and Prince Yongqi are very loyal, but this investigation is indeed dangerous. It would be best to let them participate less."

Hongli frowned slightly: "I know. It's just that the matter of the Shadow Cult is keeping me up at night. I hope the secret team can bring me good news as soon as possible."

The two continued to discuss some court affairs, and the candles in the imperial study burned until late at night.

Outside the palace, members of the secret team are diligently searching in the darkness to uncover the Shadow Cult's conspiracy. Will they be able to find clues and bring the mastermind behind it all to justice? What kind of turning point will this battle against the Shadow Cult bring? Everything is fraught with unknown variables.

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