"Black Mountain?" Jiang Wen asked, puzzled by Ziyun's words. "Why haven't I seen this place in the Imperial Capital?"
Ziyun shook her head upon hearing this, then pointed to the distant, towering palace.
"Black Mountain doesn't exist on this land, but rather within that palace. I spoke with Cangshu and learned of Black Mountain's origins."
"It's actually in the palace? Are you saying Li Yunshang also fled into Black Mountain?" Jiang Wen was puzzled. Li Yunshang was the daughter of the Dagan Emperor and a personal disciple of the Taishen Palace. Logically, no one would dare target her, yet the reality was that Li Yunshang was being hunted and had fled into a place called Black Mountain.
"Black Mountain is a forbidden area that existed even before the Dagan Imperial Capital was built. The Dagan Emperor seemed to have found something within Black Mountain and hid it within the Imperial Palace. The Dagan Li family has entered it throughout the generations. I heard Cangshu say that Black Mountain seems to be related to the founding of Dagan," Ziyun rarely spoke so much. Although she could sense the forbidden area of Black Mountain, she still didn't know exactly what it was.
"So, if we want to go to Black Mountain to find Yunshang, we must enter the Imperial Palace and find the entrance to Black Mountain?" Jiang Wen pondered, finding it a thorny issue.
The Imperial Palace was the central area of Dagan, difficult for ordinary people to enter. Although Jiang Wen could sneak in, he would easily be discovered. Although the Saint of the Taishen Palace had passed away, there were still Dao Palace True Men present.
Moreover, the Imperial Palace wasn't guarded by just one faction. Jiang Wen believed that there must be cultivators at the Saint realm hidden within. Entering rashly without knowing the full picture would inevitably alert other immortal sects. If the people of the Righteous God Dao were also hidden within, it would be troublesome.
Thinking of the resurrected Celestial Sovereigns of the Righteous God Dao, Jiang Wen felt a faint unease in his heart.
Whether it was the Creation Divine Sovereign or the Reward and Punishment Heavenly Emperor, they had disappeared without a trace since escaping their confinement.
These kinds of evil demons would surely have grand schemes if they weren't making any noise. Jiang Wen didn't know what they were planning, and could only try to guess. Now that the enemy was in the dark and he was in the light, it was best to be careful.
"But the Imperial Palace isn't small," Bai Jing, who was lying on the couch, interjected upon hearing their words. "Back then, Chi Yao wanted to break into the Imperial Palace, but ultimately failed. She returned seriously injured, and only survived because someone protected her."
"If Chi Yao's cultivation reached such a state, the Imperial Palace must be extraordinary," Jiang Wen nodded in agreement. "However, we have one more person we can use. Perhaps she knows something about the Imperial Palace."
"I was still young when I entered the palace and could only stay in one place. However, I heard my older brother say that the Imperial Palace is very large, with many immortal-like places."
Li Xiangyue told Jiang Wen the general situation of the Imperial Palace, which gave him some idea.
"However, I know someone who might be able to help Brother Jiang."
"Who is it?" Jiang Wen asked.
"This person was once a Saintess of the Taiping Dao. I only learned of her existence by chance," Li Xiangyue said softly.
"Taiping Dao?" Jiang Wen found it novel, as it was the first time he had heard of this force.
"The Taiping Dao was prevalent throughout Dagan during the reign of Emperor Hui, the previous emperor. It is said that they worshipped the Taiping Sacred Sovereign. Many merchants and commoners were among the followers. Later, the Taiping Dao rebelled, causing chaos in twelve provinces. The previous emperor sent the current emperor to quell the rebellion, capturing over a million followers, and the Taiping Dao disappeared from Dagan,"
Li Xiangyue spoke of the Taiping Dao's deeds, making Jiang Wen feel that the Taiping Dao was truly formidable. Hearing that the current emperor had participated, he asked.
"Are you saying that the Taiping Dao was not completely wiped out by the emperor?"
"That's right. I accidentally heard news of the Taiping Dao when I was in Chuyun Port. It is said that the Saintess of the Dao is still alive," Li Xiangyue said very seriously.
"The Taiping Dao once used Illusory God Powder to bewitch people, making them unable to escape their drug addiction. In the end, they became neither human nor ghost, manipulated by the people of the Taiping Dao. That's why they were able to launch such a rebellion. It is said that the Taiping Dao once invaded the Imperial Palace, forcing the previous emperor to flee south for refuge."
Jiang Wen rarely saw Li Xiangyue with such a solemn expression, as if she had some respect for the Taiping Dao.
"Was it really that serious?" Jiang Wen asked.
"Of course, but this matter is only recorded in the secret texts of our imperial family. I was fortunate enough to see it, although I was still young at the time."
"But if that's really the case, this Taiping Dao Saintess should have information about the Imperial Palace, but how do we find her?" Jiang Wen asked again.
"Although I don't know if the rumors are true, I heard that the Saintess has been hiding in the Imperial Capital. If we want to find her, we can only search slowly in this Imperial Capital," Li Xiangyue shook her head, not knowing where to start looking.
Jiang Wen thought carefully, then summoned Ziyun.
He asked her to search all the brothels and taverns in the Imperial Capital. If any wealthy officials were frequent customers, he asked her to pay attention to those places.
Bai Jing asked the reason, and Jiang Wen smiled and said, "I heard that the Taiping Dao uses Illusory God Powder to bewitch people, which is a bit like Dissolving God Water. If I'm not mistaken, the source of Dissolving God Water must be from this Illusory God Powder. Both are mainly about controlling people's minds, so they must be inseparable from these two places."
"The more wealthy people go in and out of a place, the greater the suspicion."
"I see," Bai Jing suddenly understood after hearing Jiang Wen's words and praised him for being smart.
As Jiang Wen expected, Ziyun quickly discovered a clue.
Ziyun discovered that there was a wealthy merchant in the Imperial Capital named Wang Fugui. This Wang Fugui has also been strange in recent years. It is said that he often goes to brothels to meet with women. Every time he comes out, he is full of vigor and vitality, which makes people feel suspicious.
"In this brothel, is there anything that can invigorate people? Could it be that the women in the brothel have some charm?" Bai Jing asked with a smile upon hearing Ziyun's description.
"How is that possible? There are only tired oxen, and no plowed-out fields. Unless they are practicing dual cultivation techniques," Jiang Wen said without thinking.
Li Xiangyue, who was on the side, was very puzzled when she heard this and asked in confusion, "What does that mean?"
"What does it mean?" Jiang Wen came back to his senses and looked at Li Xiangyue strangely. He didn't know if he should explain what this lewd saying meant.
Thinking that this girl looked to be the age of a modern high school student, he explained, "It naturally refers to the affairs of men and women."
"In the affairs of men and women, only men suffer and women enjoy. If this continues for a long time, the man will be like an ox plowing the field, and will die in the woman's field sooner or later."
After Jiang Wen finished speaking, he showed a knowing look.
Li Xiangyue understood at this moment, and her face suddenly turned red. She didn't expect that Jiang Wen's words would have such a meaning.
"Brother Jiang, you! Why are you so indecent! You lecher!" Li Xiangyue said in shame and anger.
"Hey, why am I a lecher? Didn't you want me to explain?" Jiang Wen was speechless.
"You, don't talk nonsense anymore!" Li Xiangyue was flustered upon hearing Jiang Wen's words. She didn't know what to do and looked at him with red eyes.
Seeing this, Jiang Wen didn't want to tease Li Xiangyue anymore. After comforting the wronged little girl, he told her his guess.
"If this Wang Fugui goes to the brothel for pleasure, it is impossible for him to come out so energetic. Today, when I heard you mention the Taiping Dao, I felt that Wang Fugui was probably controlled by the Illusory God Powder. He has to go to the brothel to consume it on specific days. And the brothel is a place for pleasure, so no one would suspect Wang Fugui's visit. Such a hidden place is really unexpected."
As Jiang Wen spoke, he couldn't help but sigh at gambling, drugs, and prostitution. Drugs deserved to be ranked last, and the danger was the greatest.
