Rumble!

A black horse crushed the snow on the long street.

A blood-colored cape fluttered, and the Divine Fire Gun was slung over the shoulder.

In the sky, a black kite swooped up and down, skimming across the snow-covered rooftops.

The greatest advantage of the Black Feather Guards was still during the day.

With good visibility and specially trained birds and warhorses, they could maximize the power of the Divine Fire Gun.

Even Li Yan didn't want to face these people during the day.

They galloped and whipped their horses, rushing into the streets of Chengdu, showing off their might while loudly shouting: "Royal Decree! At the third quarter of the morning, Wuhou Temple's God of Celebration travels, granting a stone of rice!"

On the morning of the New Year's Day, the people of Shu also wanted to open their doors for luck, but upon seeing the Black Feather Guards patrolling the streets, they all closed their doors in fear.

When the sound of horse hooves faded away, they cautiously opened their doors, believing or doubting, while exchanging New Year greetings with neighbors.

"Happy New Year, Mr. Wang!"

"Happy New Year, Mr. Yang!"

"What do you think is going on here?"

"I don't know, I thought they would hold the doors this year, Shu King hasn't participated in the God of Celebration travel for years, indeed a bit odd..."

"Are you going?"

"Going, why not?! Didn't you hear there's rice to be given, after all they said they wouldn't disturb the people, just watch the excitement."

"I'm afraid it's not right, well, I'll go alone."

"Yes, it's safer that way."

The recent generosity from the Salt Gang worked wonders, despite concerns, people were reluctant to abandon traditions, and since they could receive rice, every household decided to send someone to participate.

Some even went as a whole family just to get more benefits.

And the streets were gradually becoming lively.

Firecrackers were crackling, smoke mingled with red paper confetti scattered everywhere, from a distance, the streets and alleys looked as if they were stained with blood.

In a dark alley, Li Yan, wearing a bamboo hat, stepped out.

After witnessing Yang Chenghua's methods last night, he made a request at dawn, asking for help to enter the Great Prince Mansion.

Once the Enchantment Spell on the Great Prince was lifted, and those garrison generals were gathered and freed from spells, there would be a chance to seize military power.

This was the critical step to reverse the situation.

Initially at a loss, but with Yang Chenghua's help and the persuasion of the Imperial Censor, there was a chance of success.

As long as they found the right time.

He hurried back to make arrangements, not expecting to see this scene as soon as he entered the city gate.

Shu King arranged the "God of Celebration travel"?

There must be another agenda!

Li Yan frowned slightly, turned around and left.

He returned to the dark passageway he left yesterday and found a few government officials standing at the entrance, the old steward bowing and scraping as he said: "Sorry to trouble you all, maybe our eyes deceived us, please accept this small token."

Saying this, he handed over a string of coins.

Having received the benefit, the officials spoke kindly, "Oh, you don't need to say that, indeed there were many strange things happening in Chengdu Prefecture last night, all caused by rebel demons, being cautious is good."

"Don't worry, we searched already, there's nothing..."

Li Yan shook his head slightly and quickly left.

This exit couldn't be used, to avoid exposure.

He arrived near the Chengdu riverbank, glanced to ensure no one was around, took a leap, jumped under the Nine-Hole Stone Bridge, parted the bushes, revealing a stone pillar with Taotie engravings.

The stone pillar was ancient, heavily eroded by moss.

It appeared very heavy, but Li Yan only gave it a light push to reveal a dark door, squeezed inside, then pushed it back, perfectly sealed.

From the outside, there was no flaw.

This was another hidden passage entrance.

The inside was eerie and dark, some places even seeped water, Li Yan took out a flint and lit it, cross-referencing the map, gradually descending into the darkness.

During this time, there were indeed gains.

After several negotiations and discussions, Lord Wu Xiang gave him more maps of the secret tunnels for activities in Chengdu Prefecture.

Li Yan gradually figured out some things.

These Chengdu Prefecture underground passages were mostly excavated along Jinjiang tributaries, using arches of green bricks as skeletons, with brick seams filled with glue rice mortar, lasting a thousand years.

They had a long history, even tracing back to the Qin Han era.

In ancient times, Li Bing managed Shu, opened the two rivers (Pijiang and Jian River) which became the initial drainage network...

During the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge upgraded the "Nine Miles Dam" defense system, the tunnels simultaneously served as grain transportation channels.

Thus, following the Chengdu tunnels, one could go directly under the Wuhou Temple, it was how Lord Wu Xiang left at that time.

According to him, there were remnants of "Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse" tracks inside.

During the Tang Dynasty, Wei Gao, governor of Shu, converted the rammed earth tunnels into brick structures, some places still had remnants of the "Stone Chamber Fu": Earth veins communicated stealthily, reaching the 30,000 households of Jin Guan…

In later times, during the Great Xing era, southern and northern confrontation expanded them, and later the Salt Gang secretly smuggled.

Every dynasty and era excavated, the tunnels were as dense as a spider web, layer upon layer, with seepage and collapses, so complex it was overwhelming.

Only Lord Wu Xiang grasped all the secret passages.

Of course, he didn't yet disclose the one leading into the Shu Prince Mansion.

Following the tunnel, he walked for three incense sticks' time before finding the familiar path, speeding up his pace, returning to the underground of Yu Wang Temple.

"Brother Yan is back?"

As soon as he exited the tunnel, Sha Lifei walked over with a smile, whispered, "Heard there were many odd happenings in Chengdu Prefecture last night, was it you and that person causing trouble?"

"Drunk antics."

Li Yan shook his head slightly, then his expression turned grave, "Is Lord Wu Xiang here? I fear something big is happening!"

"We know about the God of Celebration travel too."

Sha Lifei dropped his playful demeanor, said in a deep voice: "They're all inside, let me wait for you here."

"Many have come, be careful..."

Li Yan understood, followed Sha Lifei into the backyard.

Sure enough, in the rear hall of Yu Wang Temple, more than a dozen people had gathered.

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