Chapter 1632: Ruyi Workshop

Embroidered Uniform Agents possessed dedicated communication channels. Lower-ranking agents typically used post stations or carrier pigeons, while Gold-badge agents could transmit messages through their gold plaques, much like pagers from a previous era.

However, there were restrictions: the amount of information that could be transmitted at once was limited, and each transmission consumed vast resources. This channel was strictly reserved for emergencies.

Zu An read the message, which Zhang Zitong had sent him through the local Embroidered Uniform Agent network in Yi Commandery. With Gold-badge Agent Seven's unexpected death, her status was now the highest within the entire local Yi Commandery system. Although using the channel was irregular, it wasn't difficult for her to arrange.

The message roughly stated that they had discovered Mr. Huo would be leaving the Prince's Manor tonight. She wanted to seize this opportunity to capture him and interrogate him for information regarding the death of Gold-badge Agent Seven. Since she couldn't find him, she had to resort to this method to inform Zu An.

Zu An was speechless, wondering where Zhang Zitong got the confidence to capture Mr. Huo. Hadn't her previous defeat been enough of a lesson?

However, he also realized this was indeed a good opportunity. Previously, investigations had shown that Mr. Huo rarely left the Prince of Yan's Manor. It was a rare occasion for him to be out, so it was no wonder Zhang Zitong couldn't resist.

So he found Zhang Zijiang and Xie Daoyun, gave them a few instructions, and then quietly descended the mountain.

After a day of the Taoist grand competition, night was gradually falling, so he wasn't afraid of being discovered.

Leaving the vicinity of Mount Zi, he rode his Wind-Fire Wheels towards Yi Commandery.

On Mount Zi, Grandmaster Jianhuang opened his eyes. He gazed at the faint streak of fire fading into the distance. "A falling star, a sign of great misfortune," he murmured. "Indeed, the times are changing."

Just then, a bright little bald head poked in from outside. "A sign of 'large breasts'?" he asked. "Master, are you talking about Miss Pei from Biluo Palace?"

Grandmaster Jianhuang, furious, grabbed his wooden fish and went to strike the boy's head. "As punishment, transcribe the Heart Sutra a hundred more times!"

"But you said it yourself!" the little monk Jiese protested aggrievedly, shielding his head as he ran. However, this only invited more vigorous strikes.

Zu An flew continuously, and at the speed of his Wind-Fire Wheels, he soon arrived in Yi Commandery.

He went straight to the secret stronghold of the Embroidered Uniform Agents and found several people inside preparing their equipment, clearly getting ready for a confrontation.

Zhang Zitong was an exception. She wasn't wearing her usual embroidered uniform or night clothes. Instead, she was dressed very lightly, with her thighs and slender waist subtly visible. Her face was covered by a tasseled veil, and her clothes were adorned with sparkling pendants. She looked like a Western Region dancer Zu An had seen online in his previous life.

Xiao Jianren and the other Embroidered Uniform Agents couldn't help but glance at her. Clearly, her outfit was too captivating for these straightforward men.

His arrival startled the people inside. "Greetings, Lord Eleven!" they exclaimed.

Zhang Zitong thought to herself that he was always so unpredictable, and his cultivation level was unfathomable.

Zu An scanned the room. Seeing Xiao Jianren and the others also fully prepared, he frowned slightly. He then asked Zhang Zitong, "Didn't you learn your lesson from nearly dying in the Prince of Yan's Manor last time?"

Zhang Zitong bit her lip, a stubborn expression on her face. "Last time, I was indeed reckless," she admitted. "But this time is different; he's alone. We can ambush him with numerical superiority. If we miss this chance, we don't know when we'll get another lead on Lord Seven's case. I asked them for help, so please don't blame them, Lord Eleven."

Zu An snorted coldly. "I've dealt with Mr. Huo before," he said. "Even if you outnumber him, you'll most likely just be throwing your lives away."

Zhang Zitong's face paled. She opened her mouth to argue but hesitated, not daring to speak.

Zu An then asked, "Where is Mr. Huo going after leaving the Prince's Manor this time?"

Zhang Zitong's expression was a little strange. At this point, Xiao Jianren, standing nearby, answered for her: "He's going to Ruyi Pavilion, the largest establishment in the city."

"Why isn't he going to Xiaoyao Tower?" Zu An was curious. The name Ruyi Pavilion sounded like a pleasure house, and Xiaoyao Tower was supposedly the best of its kind in Yi Commandery.

But he immediately realized. There seemed to be some animosity between the Prince of Yan and Xiaoyao Tower, so it was normal for Mr. Huo, as a guest of the Prince of Yan's Manor, not to go there.

"He hasn't made a move for so long," Zu An continued. "Why is he suddenly going to Ruyi Pavilion now? Is it a trap?" They had put a lot of effort into investigating Mr. Huo recently; if he enjoyed visiting brothels, they would have found out long ago and wouldn't have waited until now.

Xiao Jianren's expression showed a hint of anger. "Because that old fellow has a peculiar taste," he began. "He prefers... younger ones. Ruyi Pavilion just acquired a new batch recently."

"Scum!" Zhang Zitong couldn't help but curse.

Zu An, upon hearing this, glared at Zhang Zitong. "The imperial court explicitly forbids such things! What have you Embroidered Uniform Agents in Yi Commandery been doing?"

Zhang Zitong looked a little ashamed. "When Lord Seven was here, investigations were strict," she explained. "But with Lord Seven's unexpected death, the entire Embroidered Uniform Agent system in Yi Commandery has stagnated. And Ruyi Pavilion has some powerful connections..."

Zu An took a deep breath. "After we capture that old man Huo this time, seal off Ruyi Pavilion as well."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Zitong's face showed excitement. With a Gold-badge Agent backing them, they naturally had no more worries about their actions.

After a moment, she suddenly realized. "Lord Eleven, are you going to act personally?"

Zu An retorted impatiently. "If I don't act, are you going to let a dignified Imperial Silver-badge Embroidered Uniform Agent impersonate a dancer to seduce him?"

Zhang Zitong's face flushed. Indeed, that had been her plan.

Xiao Jianren immediately let out a sigh of relief. "With Lord Eleven acting, success is guaranteed."

"Enough flattery," Zu An snorted. "Quickly, tell me the exact situation."

"Let me explain. I'm more familiar with the situation in Yi Commandery..." Zhang Zitong moved closer to him, unfolded a map, and began to explain in detail.

At such close proximity, he could even feel the elasticity of her skin. The air was filled with her sweet fragrance.

Zu An listened carefully to the entire action plan. He then asked some detailed questions. Just before they set off, he told Zhang Zitong, "Go change your clothes. Embroidered Uniform Agents don't need to rely on their looks to execute missions."

Zhang Zitong's face flushed slightly. "Yes, sir!"

She quickly slipped into an inner room, where rustling sounds indicated she was changing. After about a few minutes, she emerged again, having resumed her usual heroic and dashing appearance.

Xiao Jianren and the others watched in admiration. Lord Eleven was indeed Lord Eleven. He showed no emotional fluctuation whatsoever in the face of such temptation, unlike them, who were so useless.

Soon, the group arrived near Ruyi Pavilion under the cover of night. The others took their positions, while Zu An stood from a high vantage point, silently observing everything.

Xiao Jianren and Zhang Zitong couldn't sense his position at all, and once again had to marvel at Lord Eleven's unfathomable abilities.

About half an hour later, Mr. Huo appeared in their sight. He had clearly changed his attire deliberately, presumably to conceal his activities from the Prince of Yan's Manor.

The Embroidered Uniform Agents did not make their move on the street. After all, Ruyi Pavilion was a bustling place, with people constantly coming and going nearby, and it would be almost impossible to act without alerting others.

Mr. Huo arrived at Ruyi Pavilion. Soon, a madam greeted him with a smile and led him inside, taking him to a private room.

"Please wait, sir. The young lady you requested will be here shortly." The madam, holding a silver ingot, happily swayed her ample rear and departed.

Mr. Huo felt a wave of disgust. He snorted, "How could such a plump woman compare to slender, delicate young girls?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but swallow. He took out a pink pill from his pocket and popped it into his mouth. Then he picked up the teacup on the table and drained it.

Soon, he felt a warmth spread through his lower abdomen. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. He would soon be able to show his prowess with the young girls.

However, his expression suddenly changed. He abruptly looked at the teacup on the table. "Poison!"

He quickly stood up. Just then, the nearby window suddenly opened. Several figures in embroidered uniforms tumbled in. Simultaneously, four "Soul-Snaring Ropes" instantly wrapped around his hands and feet.

To deal with a master like Mr. Huo, ordinary Embroidered Uniform Agents were useless. This time, Zhang Zitong, Xiao Jianren, and two local Silver-badge Agents from Yi Commandery were present.

Their coordination was tight, giving the opponent almost no time to react.

The Embroidered Uniform Agents' Soul-Snaring Ropes were incredibly potent. Once an ordinary cultivator was bound by them, their vital energy would be unable to circulate, leaving them at the mercy of others.

As expected, Mr. Huo's body convulsed, and he slumped.

But just then, the pattern on his forehead suddenly came alive, as if transforming into a living eye.

"Don't look into his eyes!" Zhang Zitong cried out.

But it was too late. The expressions of the four Silver-badge Agents instantly turned blank, and they froze in place, falling directly into a deep sleep.

Mr. Huo sneered. He slowly removed the Soul-Snaring Ropes from his body. Then he twisted his body, opened his mouth, and spat out a mouthful of tea, expelling the poison he had just ingested.

"Just a few Silver-badge Agents," he scoffed, "and you dare to try and capture this old man?"

As he spoke, he moved in front of Zhang Zitong. He gazed closely at her tightly furrowed brow. "You're truly beautiful," he mused, "though a bit too old..."

The pink pill he had just taken began to take effect. He suddenly swallowed. "I've never 'played' with a Silver-badge Agent before," he leered. "Pretty face, long legs... This old man will make an exception for you and celebrate this auspicious day properly."

Just as he was about to reach out and touch her, a mocking voice suddenly came from behind him. "Do you know that those who pop champagne prematurely never come to a good end?"