Boom!

A loud bang shattered the night silence.

In the alleys and dark passages, dogs barked wildly, and many citizens were awakened, lighting their candles here and there.

Some citizens stepped outside their homes, looking with uncertainty towards the distance.

The sound resembled fireworks.

But ordinary fireworks weren't this loud.

The direction seemed to be the West City.

What happened over there...

...

On Confucius Temple Street, smoke and dust filled the air, the scene was a wreck everywhere.

A large crater appeared in the middle of the street, nearby trees snapped in half, and a part of the temple's wall had collapsed.

Moans rang continuously, the ground was littered with severed limbs.

"My leg, my leg!"

A scarred man clutched his twisted leg tightly, screaming in agony, rolling on the ground, surrounded by the corpses of garrison soldiers.

Not far from him, Situ Qian's face was gloomy.

Nie Sangu, who was in charge of the operation, had died, yet the mission had to continue, so under his orders, the siege continued.

However, he made two crucial mistakes.

First, was harboring private motives, he took time to rescue Bai Qihong, sent someone to settle him, wasting critical time.

Secondly, the team had lost control.

Nie Sangu was dead, the Jianghu sorcerers recruited by King Shu were all sly, further instigating the Salt Gang to follow behind.

It seemed bustling, yet no one dared to charge and fight.

After all, even the notorious Nie Sangu had been beheaded by someone.

Gathered for profit, why risk lives so recklessly?

On top of that, the Hundred Households who were commanding had fainted under the "Blood Bowl Saint Mother" influence, plunging the entire garrison team into chaos.

Following them to this place, they were ambushed.

Two explosive packs, mixed with a small amount of new-style gunpowder, were thrown into the crowd, thus causing such carnage.

"Collect the wounded, return and report!"

Looking at the surrounding scene, Situ Qian's expression turned extremely sour.

Though they seized that batch of gunpowder, the losses were equally staggering.

The Netherworld Stage was exposed, Nie Sangu dead, Bai Qihong lost combat ability, and it created quite a disturbance.

King Shu's side, it would be hard to explain...

Several hundred meters away, behind a rooftop, Li Yan watched quietly.

He had used the Escape Technique, combined with the Dragon and Snake Card concealment, making it impossible for anyone to spot him from this distance.

Only when those people halted their pursuit did he turn around, jumping into the dark alley, taking a detour, heading in the opposite direction.

Before the incense stick burned half, he reached a large river.

This river was quite orderly, excavated during the construction of Shu Prince Mansion, encircling the entire mansion, connecting the north, south, east, and west cities.

Li Yan sped along the river, while observing behind.

Sure enough, the small door on the west side of Shu Prince Mansion swung open, and numerous Black Feather Guards dashed out on horseback, heading towards the West City.

Not realizing these folks on this side at all.

At this sight, Li Yan couldn't help but silently praise.

This escape route was planned by the masterly son, escaping from the Chengdu Prefecture Office rear aqueduct, passing through alleys to Confucius Temple Street, then entering the Royal River channel, holding breath to flee.

Indeed, the leader of Chengdu underworld, an old fox King Shu failed to capture for years, his judgement on the Prince Mansion's maneuver was impeccable.

Along with dividing the troops in two directions, leading the people away.

These individuals indeed securely escaped with their lives.

Li Yan kept moving, swiftly reaching the North City.

This was already the rear of Shu Prince Mansion.

The North City residents were mostly Chengdu Prefecture dignitaries, but due to taboo, no one built large estates near the rear of the Shu Prince Mansion.

Descending along the stone steps, either side was either remote dense forest with overgrown weeds or palace temples and warehouses.

Yu Wang Temple was to the east, there were mostly warehouses here, either rented by North City affluent families, or occupied by Ningchuan garrison.

Li Yan surveyed the area, activated a spell, taking a sniff of the air, soon found some wet footprints by the shore.

He stirred up some loose soil with his foot to cover them, took out a medicine bottle from his pouch, scattered some powder, eliminating scent before leaving.

Shortly, he arrived outside a dark warehouse.

Bang bang bang!

A few taps, long and short, before opening the warehouse's wooden door and slipping inside, carefully closing it.

Inside was filled with clutter, pitch dark.

Dong Cunshan stood by waiting, exhaling in relief upon seeing him, "Young Hero Li, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, the pursuers have retreated."

Saying a couple words, the two bypassed the clutter.

The rear partitioned with wooden boards, cleverly forming a secret room inside, illuminated by a faint candlelight, where the escapees were present.

"Young Hero Li, thank you!"

At this moment, Lord Imperial Censor had regained composure, seriously getting up and clasping his fist.

"No need for formality, sir."

Li Yan nodded slightly, then reached for an inner compartment, opening a wooden board, revealing bundles inside, containing steamed cakes and some clear water.

"This is Chengdu underworld's hiding place."

Li Yan explained, "They prepared some food, though with poor taste, it's a lifesaving item, best not to wander for a while till this passes."

Upon hearing this, everyone remained silent.

The morale seemed a bit low.

This wasn't really surprising.

Coming from the Capital, whether the Trigram Sect or White Cloud Temple, surely wasn't just for that small reward.

If they could topple King Shu, their sect would instantly connect with the Sea Opening Sect and several court officials, soaring with the wind.

Though the Dong family had a Grandmaster, he was already old.

The Human Dao reformation, they also sensed the danger.

But now, everything was ruined.

King Shu suddenly made a move, moreover in this snowy season, unable to rally reinforcements from outside, losing early advantages entirely.

At present, even survival became an issue.

Lord Imperial Censor pondered briefly, then spoke in a deep voice, "Young Hero Li, under these circumstances, do you have any plans?"

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