White Grand Preceptor and the Crown Prince parted ways with Mu Dan. After returning to the residence, they followed the agreement and waited quietly for the third day of the trading date.
Mu Dan had always acted with reliability and stability. The very next day, she sent over two sets of finely crafted brocade merchant outfits—
one moon-white robe embroidered with cloud patterns, one deep sapphire robe with dark pine embroidery, both edged with silver thread, stitches tight and seamless.
Attached at the waist were top-grade mutton-fat jade plaques, engraved with the merchant identities “Shen Family of Jiangnan” and “Lu Family of Suzhou,” the calligraphy ancient and lifelike, enough to pass as genuine.
Along with them were two rank-level Reaper guards.
Both were disguised as attendants, dressed in gray coarse short robes with pant legs tightly bound for movement. Their faces were ordinary to the point of blending into a crowd, yet their eyes were sharp like hawks, and beneath their calm auras lay restrained edge. They were top-tier experts from the Wanjin Alliance’s dark division, skilled in stealth tracking and close protection.
“These two are Lin Que and Shi Gan, both personally selected by the Alliance Master as rank-level Reapers. Their close combat and stealth tracking abilities are top-tier.” Mu Dan explained through the transmission stone.
“They will first conceal themselves around the residence, familiarize themselves with your auras and behavior patterns. On the third day, they will follow in secret the entire time. Unless you are in absolute danger, they will not reveal themselves, so as to avoid alerting the enemy.”
The White Grand Preceptor and the Crown Prince nodded in thanks.
In the following days, aside from closed-door practice of merchant demeanor—
they deliberately imitated the bold and generous manner of southern merchants, slowed their speech with a hint of Jiangnan cadence, and even refined every gesture: tea-drinking posture, casual flicks of silver coins, all repeatedly polished. After a few days, they already carried seven or eight parts of authentic Jiangnan merchant bearing.
At the same time, they worked with Lin Que and Shi Gan to simulate infiltration routes and emergency plans.
Lin Que specialized in swift sword ambushes, striking vital points.
Shi Gan excelled in defensive rear guard work, his body refinement allowing him to withstand spiritual attacks.
Based on the layout map of the Seek Flower Brothel provided by Mu Dan, they marked entry routes to the “Drunken Spring Pavilion” secret chamber, guard rotation intervals of half a stick of incense, blind-spot shadows in wall corners, and even three escape routes in case of pursuit. They even predetermined who would cover the retreat in worst-case scenarios.
More importantly, ever since leaving Mu Dan, the Crown Prince and the White Grand Preceptor would every night disguise themselves as ordinary tea patrons and go to the “Clear Wind Tea House” opposite the Seek Flower Brothel, secretly observing people entering and leaving.
The tea house and brothel were separated by a narrow alley; from the balcony, the gate movements could be seen clearly.
Each held a finely bound notebook, recording nobles and officials entering and leaving, down to carriage patterns and attendants’ clothing details.
“Grand Preceptor, look. Isn’t that Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Zhou Xian? He actually comes at night—truly well hidden.”
The Crown Prince lightly tapped the paper with his brush, his tone coldly mocking.
“Just a few days ago he was denouncing brothels in court, and now he comes willingly. Ridiculous.”
The White Grand Preceptor followed his gaze. A middle-aged man in dark blue plain clothing was being led inside by a doorman with deference—it was indeed Zhou Xian, who prided himself on integrity.
He sighed.
“The court is filthy. Such hypocrites are everywhere.”
He then added, his gaze deepening:
“Look over there—
Minister of Revenue Li Song’s ebony carriage, the taotie pattern on the axle cannot be mistaken;
and that is Advisor Wang Yan, even if he changed into plain clothes, his limping attendant gives him away;
even the youngest son of the Minister of War, Shen Ce, has come—riding a sweat-blood horse few in the capital possess.”
The Crown Prince recorded all the names, expression growing heavier.
These are all people of Li Prime Minister’s faction. It seems the Lingxi merchant group’s dealings are already deeply entangled within the court.”
After five consecutive days of observation, their notebook was filled with dense names of officials and aristocratic descendants, showing how deeply the corruption had spread.
During this time, Ru Shi sent multiple intelligence reports through Mu Dan:
“After the seventeenth trading day, the Lingxi merchant group added new guards, including Reapers with strong spiritual energy, all extremely vicious.”
“A witch cultivator is still refining new drugs inside the brothel. Early effects include physical euphoria and strength increase, but long-term use leads to addiction, wasting the body and severing spiritual veins. The chamber is filled with increasingly strong medicinal odor mixed with decay and strange fragrance.”
“This is Zhao Jinzhu’s ‘Drunken Bone Powder’!” the Crown Prince said firmly.
“It is made from Drunken Soul Flower and Bone-Decay Vine, one of the most sinister control drugs of the Witch Clan.”
Bai Yanhua’s expression darkened.
“More importantly, Ru Shi discovered secret contact between the merchant group and a Reaper from the Zhenyue Division.”
“The man wears plain black attire but carries a killing aura. His steps match military discipline, and his jade token bears the Zhenyue mountain insignia. Every third day he enters the brothel in disguise to collect specific batches of contraband.”
“So the third-day transaction is not only delivery, but also military-level exchange.”
“A Reaper from Zhenyue Division?” the Crown Prince’s expression darkened sharply.
“If someone inside the military colludes with them and uses these drugs, it could destabilize the entire capital defense system. We must expose him on the third day.”
The White Grand Preceptor’s eyes were cold as iron.
“I already warned Zhao Yanchen that there may be internal traitors. It seems I was right.”
That night, they contacted Chu Wanran via transmission stone.
“Alliance Master, we’ve confirmed deep involvement between officials and the Lingxi merchant group. Worse, there is contact with a Reaper from Zhenyue Division, and Drunken Bone Powder production is underway. We will infiltrate on the third day.”
Chu Wanran responded gravely.
“The mission is not to seize drugs, but to confirm whether Purple Judgment Flower seeds, Devouring Spirit Insect eggs, or Witch Clan materials are present. These are the real threats.”
“I cannot come to the capital for now. Li Xuan is injured, I must stay to care for him. Be extremely cautious.”
The White Grand Preceptor frowned internally.
Li Xuan injured? He had clearly given him a protective jade that could block three spiritual attacks…
Chu Wanran’s voice faded. Silence fell.
The atmosphere turned heavier.
Mu Dan said softly, “Without the Alliance Master and Li Xuan, this mission is far more dangerous.”
The Crown Prince replied firmly, “Even so, we cannot retreat.”
Time passed quickly.
The third day arrived.
At night, the Seek Flower Brothel shone brightly, while black-clothed guards and concealed carriages filled the entrance.
The White Grand Preceptor, Crown Prince, Lin Que, and Shi Gan, disguised as merchants, entered the brothel.
Inside, fragrance and music interwove, but beneath it lay a faint medicinal scent—
Drunken Soul Flower.
The production of Drunken Bone Powder was clearly nearing completion.
Guards were more numerous than usual, many carrying military-style weapons.
Inside the main hall, nobles and officials gathered. Some appeared dazed, clearly long-term users of the drug.
At last, Ru Shi arrived.
In green robes, he looked like a delicate beauty at first glance, yet his eyes were sharp.
He quietly passed a message:
“The secret chamber is behind the west wall of the room next to Drunken Spring Pavilion. The key has been changed.”
“At the third hour of midnight, I will cover your retreat.”
He added:
“They will trade at midnight. This is your chance.”
The White Grand Preceptor’s thoughts tightened.
“The presence of Zhenyue Reapers… if the drugs enter military supply, the defense forces will be crippled.”
He concealed the key and signaled the Crown Prince.
Soon, Lin Que and Shi Gan neutralized two guards using sleeping incense. The Crown Prince entered the secret chamber.
Inside were Drunken Bone Powder, Devouring Spirit Insect eggs, and a ledger—
and one name:
Song Jiang.
A Zhenyue Division Reaper.
He copied the ledger quickly.
Just as he finished—
A witch cultivator approached the door.
Danger.
At that moment, chaos erupted downstairs. The White Grand Preceptor deliberately caused a disturbance, drawing attention away.
The witch cultivator retreated.
The Crown Prince escaped with the evidence.
After regrouping, they exited safely.
As they left, the White Grand Preceptor glanced upward—
a woman with a strand of striking silver-white hair staring directly at him from the corridor above.
He memorized it, then left with the group.
Later that night, they returned to Mei Fang Tower.
As they entered, the Crown Prince suddenly exclaimed:
“Zhiwei?!”