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

Liu Meng, Li Feng, and Zhang Yu cautiously moved through Black Wind Stronghold, pretending to be busy while looking for an opportunity to approach the small courtyard. The stronghold was filled with a mixture of smells of alcohol, sweat, and cigarette smoke, and the noise and shouts of the bandits were intertwined, making everyone extremely irritable.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, Zhang Yu leaned close to Liu Meng and whispered, "This courtyard is heavily guarded. We can't just wait here like this. We need to think of a way to lure them away."

Liu Meng nodded slightly, his eyes scanning the surroundings: "Observe further and see if we can find any pattern in the guards' shift changes or other clues."

Li Feng, who was observing the bandits' actions, suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Look, there are a few bandits arguing over there, it looks like they're about to fight. Can we take advantage of this opportunity?"

Liu Meng looked in the direction Li Feng pointed and saw several bandits arguing heatedly, pushing and shoving each other, the situation on the verge of exploding.

“This might be an opportunity. We can make a big scene, attract more bandits’ attention, and then take the opportunity to approach the courtyard,” Liu Meng said.

The three exchanged glances and then walked towards the group of bandits.

Liu Meng deliberately bumped into one of the bandits and shouted, "What are you all arguing about? Don't you want to live anymore?"

The bandit stumbled from the impact, turned around, and glared angrily: "Are you blind?! How dare you bump into your grandpa!"

Zhang Yu immediately stepped forward, pointing his finger at the bandit's nose: "Who are you calling names? Believe me or not, I'll beat you up!"

Tensions immediately rose between the two sides, and other bandits surrounded them, creating chaos. Liu Meng, Li Feng, and Zhang Yu deliberately pushed and shoved the bandits, their shouts and curses growing louder and attracting the attention of many bandits.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Liu Meng gave Li Feng and Zhang Yu a wink, and the three of them gradually approached the courtyard. The bandits guarding the courtyard, hearing the commotion, couldn't help but peek out.

"Now!" Liu Meng said in a low voice. The three of them seized a moment when the guards were not paying attention and rushed towards the courtyard.

"Halt! What are you doing?" a guard shouted when he spotted them.

Liu Meng quickly turned around, feigning panic: "Something's wrong! A fight has broken out over there! We're going to call for help!"

The guard frowned: "Don't wander around! Do you think this is a place you can just come and go as you please?"

Zhang Yu quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Brother, we're not in a hurry. We're just afraid things will get out of hand and we won't be able to handle it."

Just then, the argument escalated, with several bandits even drawing their knives, drawing the attention of even more bandits. The guards' focus was also significantly diverted.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Liu Meng and his group approached the courtyard again, and this time the guards did not stop them. They entered the courtyard smoothly.

The courtyard was very quiet, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside. In the center stood a house with its doors and windows tightly shut, surrounded by trees, giving it a mysterious feel.

"It seems the clues are in this house," Li Feng said softly.

The three of them cautiously approached the house, and just as they reached the door, they heard voices coming from inside.

"We must proceed with extreme caution with this Shadow Cult plan. If anything goes wrong, Black Wind Stronghold will be in deep trouble," a gruff voice said, presumably the leader of Black Wind Stronghold.

"Don't worry, Chieftain. Everything is arranged. As long as we proceed according to plan, those people from the imperial court will definitely not find out," another voice said, presumably from the Shadow Cult.

Liu Meng and the others exchanged glances, all seeing surprise in each other's eyes. They quietly approached the window and peered inside through the crack.

Several people were sitting inside the room. One of them was a burly man with a fierce face; he was probably the leader of Black Wind Stronghold. Several other people dressed in black robes sat beside him, their faces covered with black cloth, so their features could not be seen.

"What big thing is the Shadow Cult planning?" Liu Meng wondered to himself.

Just then, footsteps approached, as if someone was walking towards them. Liu Meng and the others quickly hid behind a tree.

A bandit carrying tea entered the house: "Chief, gentlemen, please have some tea."

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Liu Meng and the others moved closer to the window, and they heard the Shadow Cult members say, "We have already arranged for an inside agent for this operation. When the time comes, with the help of both inside and outside agents, we will definitely throw the imperial court into chaos."

"An inside man? Who is it?" the Black Wind Stronghold leader asked anxiously.

"Don't worry about that. Just do your job," the Shadow Cult member said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Liu Meng and the others were shocked. They hadn't expected that the Shadow Cult had planted an inside agent within the imperial court; this was a crucial clue.

Just as they were engrossed in eavesdropping, suddenly, a hand landed on Liu Meng's shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" a cold voice rang out.

Liu Meng and the others felt a chill run down their spines and slowly turned their heads, only to see a guard looking at them warily.

"We...we got lost and accidentally ended up here," Zhang Yu quickly explained.

"Lost? This courtyard is not a place you can just wander into. Come with me to see the chieftain!" the guard said, and was about to grab people.

Liu Meng gave a signal, and the three of them quickly subdued the guard.

"What do we do? We've been discovered," Li Feng said anxiously.

"Don't panic, hide him, and let's get out of here quickly," Liu Meng said.

The three hid the guards in a secluded spot and quickly left the courtyard. While the bandits were still busy dealing with their earlier argument, they successfully slipped out of Black Wind Stronghold.

Back in the city, Liu Meng, Li Feng, and Zhang Yu rushed to Fu Ankang's residence. Fu Ankang was anxiously awaiting news in his study. Upon seeing the three return, he immediately rose to greet them.

"So? What did you find?" Fu Ankang asked eagerly.

Liu Meng recounted his experiences at Black Wind Stronghold in detail, emphasizing the information that the Shadow Cult had an inside agent within the imperial court.

Upon hearing this, Fu Ankang's expression turned extremely grave: "I never imagined that the Shadow Cult would be so cunning, having planted an accomplice within the court. This matter must be reported to the Emperor immediately."

Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Consort Ling and the Empress were sitting in a pavilion in the garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

Consort Ling bowed slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty the Empress, the situation outside is complicated right now. As the head of the harem, you should stay in the harem more. The Emperor and the ministers will take care of those matters outside. You might as well spend more time with Prince Rong and Mu Yu and the others; it will add some fun to your life."

The Empress nodded slightly, her expression somewhat worried: "I understand these principles, but with the Emperor and the world on my mind, I can't help but feel a little uneasy."

Consort Ling smiled and comforted him, "His Majesty will surely feel the Empress's deep affection. Your peace of mind in the harem is the greatest support you can give His Majesty."

As the two were talking, footsteps came from afar, and a palace maid hurried over, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness Consort Ling, His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study."

The Empress and Consort Ling exchanged a glance, then rose and headed towards the Imperial Study. They had no idea what kind of situation they would face on this trip, or what impact the Shadow Cult's conspiracy would have on the palace and the court. Everything was fraught with unknown variables.

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