After a brief round of clarifications, Lu Li gained a general understanding from Gong Shangyu about the origins and developments of the recent child disappearances in Yangzhou City.
“So… in other words, the recent cases of missing children in Yangzhou City really have nothing to do with your faction…”
“The reason the Danding Pavilion collects living corpses is to address the frequent reanimation incidents occurring at the Grave Mound in Yangzhou City, to treat those civilians who live too close to the Grave Mound, who have been tainted by Yin Energy or even infected by the living corpses?”
“Exactly.”
Upon hearing this, Wu, who was disguised as the Danding Pavilion’s sect leader, nodded heavily.
“When we first set up a branch in Yangzhou six months ago, we noticed the city’s Earth Vein was saturated with Yin Energy. The cemeteries and Grave Mounds surrounding the city had become prime Corpse Raising Land.”
“Occasionally, corpses would rise and become living corpses, wandering and attacking indiscriminately in the outskirts. At the same time, this heavy Yin Qi in the city’s Wind and Water Layout has severely weakened the constitution of the city’s inhabitants, causing various strange illnesses to surface from time to time.”
“That’s why we established free clinics within the city to treat those infected by Yin Energy and Corpse Poison.”
Lu Li nodded first in agreement, then decisively shifted the topic to press Wu for more answers.
“Then what exactly is the reason behind your covert collection of hair and blood from the locals?”
Before Wu could respond to Lu Li’s question, Gong Shangyu jumped in first.
“After six months of investigation, we discovered that the reason the city’s Earth Vein is saturated with Yin Qi is because someone forcibly rewrote the city’s Earth Vein layout using an array, transforming Yangzhou City’s original bustling human-centered layout into a Nine Nether Yin Corpse Raising Array.”
“So, to catch the real culprit and find the Yin Spirit Array that altered the Earth Vein layout, we took advantage of our medical visits to collect blood and hair samples from the patients. By analyzing the levels of Yin Energy present in their blood and hair, we plotted a map showing the city’s Earth Vein distribution.”
“The heavier the Yin Energy detected in a patient’s samples, the closer their home is to the Corpse Raising Array; conversely, lighter readings indicate they live farther away from the array.”
“Using this method, the Danding Pavilion has roughly outlined several areas within the city that are likely locations of the Corpse Raising Arrays.”
After speaking, Gong Shangyu seemed to seek credit, rummaging through the room to find a map and handing it over to Lu Li.
Lu Li took the map and examined it carefully.
Indeed, it showed four suspicious spots clearly circled—undoubtedly the locations Gong Shangyu had identified as Corpse Raising Array sites.
Although Lu Li was inclined to believe about thirty to forty percent of what Wu and Gong Shangyu said after seeing the map, he remained somewhat skeptical and pressed further.
“Then… what about those missing children in the city? What’s going on with those cases?”
Facing Lu Li’s sharp inquiry, Wu, disguised as the Danding Pavilion sect leader, quickly answered.
“Sigh… to be honest, Lord Lu, we at Danding Pavilion are investigating the child disappearances too. But… these cases are even more difficult to crack than the Corpse Raising Arrays.”
“Though the Danding Pavilion is not originally a local force in Yangzhou, we still have a team of capable operatives, along with countless scattered cultivators and Righteous Path Sect disciples we’ve met through business.”
“Yet even with all these resources, we are at a loss when it comes to these disappearances.”
“Hmm.”
Lu Li pondered for a moment.
“So if the mastermind behind these disappearances can abduct children right under Sect Leader Shang’s nose without anyone noticing…”
“That means the planner must have some cultivator background.”
“Perhaps… it’s even some demonic cultivator who’s long remained hidden, or possibly a demonic sect.”
“Indeed, Lord Lu, I have also considered this.”
Wu stroked the fake beard on his face seriously and analyzed,
“Based on our recent six-month investigation, I strongly suspect that both the changes in the city’s Earth Vein and the child disappearances originate from the same group of cultivators.”
“We specifically investigated the missing children and found that all were born during the Yin Year, Yin Month, Yin Day, and Yin Hour, and possess the Four Yin Lifeless Body.”
“The kidnappers most likely want to use these children in some sort of ritual.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Lu Li’s interest immediately piqued.
“Indeed, Lord Lu.”
Gong Shangyu nodded heavily before asking Lu Li,
“May I ask if you are familiar with the Yin Corpse Sect?”
Lu Li was momentarily stunned, then as if recalling something, he suddenly exclaimed.
“You mean… that demonic sect which practiced living corpse alchemy, and was finally exterminated forty years ago by the Jin Dynasty Court in coalition with all the Righteous Path Sects within Jin territory?”
Lu Li’s knowledge of the Yin Corpse Sect came primarily from early game experiences, as it was the dungeon that yielded the most experience in the game’s initial stages.
When he was invited to test the game in his past life, he often ran the Yin Corpse Sect dungeon with Feng Lingshuang.
In the main storyline, the Yin Corpse Sect was supposed to suddenly rise again two years later, becoming the source of experience and reputation grinding for Lu Li and his disciples.
Originally, Lu Li thought the Yin Corpse Sect wouldn’t appear until two years later.
Unexpectedly, he was hearing the name from the Danding Pavilion sect leader now.
But on further thought, it made sense.
After all, the Yin Corpse Sect’s first appearance in the game was in Heishui County, right next to Yangzhou City.
Given their close geographic proximity, it was not impossible for the Yin Corpse Sect from Heishui to come cause trouble in Yangzhou.
“Exactly, Lord Lu. It is this demonic sect. Their evil cultivation techniques and modus operandi align perfectly with the recent strange events in Yangzhou City.”
“So we suspect… the recent chaos in Yangzhou City is mostly the work of the Yin Corpse Sect.”
After hearing Gong Shangyu’s explanation, Lu Li believed about fifty to sixty percent of their claims.
Even so, he still harbored some doubts about the “Shang family father and son” and their backing faction, the Danding Pavilion.
“Heh heh~ interesting indeed.”
Lu Li smiled and turned to the “Shang family father and son” with a counterquestion.
“You say the city’s strange occurrences are all linked to the Yin Corpse Sect, but I heard from Zhao Chengzhu that your Danding Pavilion is deeply involved in the city’s chaos.”
Upon hearing this, Wu immediately wanted to clarify, but before he could speak, Gong Shangyu exploded with anger.
“Lord Lu, don’t listen to that Zhao Zongchang’s nonsense! He’s only trying to smear and frame the Danding Pavilion by kicking us when we’re down!”
“Zhao Zongchang’s Chengzhu Mansion has long monopolized the trade of pills and herbs in Yangzhou City.”
“After we came to Yangzhou, their Zhao Family business clearly couldn’t compete with our Shang Family. And since our Danding Pavilion is powerful and influential, Zhao can’t easily control us.”
“So Zhao Zongchang can only spread rumors and use his influence to stir up the ignorant commoners to cause trouble for the Danding Pavilion!”
“Lord Lu, you are wise. Don’t be fooled by Zhao Zongchang’s lies!”
After saying this, Gong Shangyu glanced at Wu, signaling her to back him up quickly.
Seeing this, Wu hurriedly spoke in the tone of the Danding Pavilion sect leader, chiming in,
“Lord Lu, if you still distrust the Danding Pavilion, we can take you and your beloved disciple on a thorough inspection—top to bottom, inside and out!”
“If you find us guilty of any wrongdoing during your inspection, the Shang Family and Danding Pavilion are willing to accept punishment.”
Faced with their sincere attitude, despite his deep suspicions, Lu Li had no choice but to comply.
He followed the “Shang family father and son” along with Gu Qingying to inspect the Danding Pavilion.
Though they called it an inspection, it was essentially a guided tour of the Danding Pavilion.