Four days later, the three of them arrived outside Golden Horse City by carriage.

Golden Horse City was one of the most prosperous ancient cities among the thirteen cities of the Western Continent under the Tianxuan Dynasty.

Located in the central region of the Western Continent, its layout was expansive from north to south but narrow from east to west.

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To the south, it led directly to the Three Kaiyang Counties of the Northern Continent.

To the north, it connected with the Extreme Dark Valley.

As they stepped inside, starting from the six towering pillars flanking the city gate, they saw a forest of pavilions and wide streets.

The towering buildings on either side seemed to have an air of plucking stars with a single hand.

If Lin Heng were to describe it himself, he'd say:

"At a glance, it's massive!"

For the next actions, Ye Tian was responsible for investigating the City Lord's Mansion, while Lin Heng was tasked with negotiating with the Criminal Division.

As for Yun Yao...

She planned to slack off for a few days. Since it was rare for her to be out, she wanted to explore around.

Little did she know, she would pay the price for her carelessness.

Lin Heng shrugged and, following the directions given by passersby, quickly arrived at the Criminal Division's office.

He directly presented an identity token to indicate his identity and purpose.

Every disciple participating in a Sect Mission had a token as an identity indicator, which could also serve as a communication signal.

In case of danger, activating the token would allow fellow disciples to pinpoint their location within a ten-mile radius.

This enabled timely support.

"Oh dear! Immortal, please sit down quickly. Why are you still standing there? Bring the tea over."

A middle-aged man in a black robe with a brown cloth bag at his waist instructed.

He was the Chief of the Criminal Division, the highest official there.

The Criminal Division could be understood as a government office responsible for maintaining city security and capturing criminals.

Lin Heng didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "Since Chief Si knows my purpose, why not get straight to the point? The sooner we catch the culprits, the sooner you can be at ease."

"Alright, alright!"

Chief Si stopped being polite, "Then, Immortal, please follow me to the morgue. Some things can't be described with words."

The morgue was within the Criminal Division, just a couple of corridors away.

Though called a morgue, it was actually just a storage room for miscellaneous items.

With the weather getting hotter, logically, the bodies stored for so long should have developed a stench.

"Immortal, please look, it's those three."

Chief Si stood at the door, pointing at the bodies covered with white cloth, showing no intention of approaching.

Lin Heng had no choice but to step forward and inspect.

Pulling back the cloth, he almost gagged.

It wasn't due to any pungent smell, but the horrific state of the bodies themselves.

Their skin was shriveled and dull, hair like withered wood, cheeks sunken, eyes swollen, looking as if they had been drained to death.

Pulling back the other two cloths, the three shared the same deathly appearance.

Chief Si and his two subordinates watched Lin Heng without even blinking, and couldn't help but feel admiration, "Truly worthy of being an Immortal. When we first saw these bodies, we were scared out of our wits, yet the Immortal remains so calm."

Lin Heng, knowing the original plot, had mentally prepared himself, so he was aware of the general condition of the bodies.

"Does the Immortal know what caused the deaths of these three? The coroner's report states they died from blood and energy depletion... but there are no wounds on their bodies."

Lin Heng turned around and shook his head slightly, "They were drained of their Yang Essence, which can be understood as Vital Essence. Losing it damages one's lifespan. Being drained of Vital Essence means there's no life force left."

"I'm curious, why would someone choose to hunt in a brothel?"

The concept of patrons needs no explanation; indulging in pleasures daily, how much Vital Essence can they have?

If one is extracting Yang Essence for cultivation, why not target those strong and in their prime?

The three lying on the bed were all around fifty years old, already more than halfway through their lives by average lifespan standards.

How much can be gained from draining them?

"Alright, let's leave it at that. I have a rough idea. I suggest Chief Si compile a list," Lin Heng said.

"What kind of list?"

"A list of those who visited the brothel in the past two months, especially those aged between forty and fifty-five."

Chief Si's face showed some hesitation but nodded in agreement.

"Immortal, please wait. I'll send someone immediately."

After about half an hour.

An attendant returned with the name register. The brothel itself had a register, so compiling it was quick.

Lin Heng scanned the register, finding seventeen people aged between forty and fifty-five, including the three deceased.

It wasn't hard to notice that besides age, the deceased shared another common trait: they were all wealthy merchants of Golden Horse City, quite affluent.

Suddenly, he frowned, spotting Chief Si's name.

Chief Si blushed and quickly explained.

"I went there to investigate the culprit... definitely not..."

"Alright, alright!" Lin Heng waved his hand, "I understand, I understand. No need to be so tense, Chief Si. We're all men here, no need to be embarrassed."

"I do have a plan, and I hope Chief Si can assist."

"Please speak, Immortal. The entire Criminal Division will do its utmost."

"It's not that complicated. Tonight, you and I..." Lin Heng leaned in, whispering softly.

"This..." Chief Si's eyes widened, "Isn't this too risky?"

"What are you afraid of? With me here, just do your part."

After giving instructions, Lin Heng left the Criminal Division.

It was midday.

The stalls and vendors on the streets of Golden Horse City had mostly cleared out, leaving the path open for the buildings behind.

This was the business model here; small vendors could only sell on the streets in the morning and evening.

Lin Heng strolled leisurely along the ancient street heading west, the aroma of wine in the air growing stronger.

Before long, he found Yun Yao in a tavern.

"Hey, done with your business?"

Lin Heng pulled out a chair and sat at the table, pouring himself a bowl of wine. After taking a sip, he replied, "Figured it out. The demonic cultivator draining Yang Essence is a bit tricky... Tonight, I'm planning to take Chief Si to the brothel and lure the snake out of its hole."

Lin Heng briefly explained his plan.

The demonic cultivator's target was wealthy middle-aged men. He intended to use Chief Si as bait to draw the person out, then take action to subdue them.

The only concern was if he couldn't defeat the opponent, Chief Si might end up as a casualty.

"Well... it's not quite right to risk someone else's life. You're only at the second level of Qi Refining, which might not be enough."

"But, there's no need to rush. It's just a Grade B Mission, so take your time. Anyway, there's no news from Senior Brother Ye yet."

Yun Yao tore off a duck leg and began to eat it heartily.

She didn't seem to take the mission seriously at all.

[Goodness! You've turned the Sect Mission into a public-funded vacation, not putting any effort into the mission!]

[If something happens to you, and the Grade D Mission gets delayed, even this simple task won't be completed.]

[By my calculations, the City Lord's son should be coming to deliver himself to us.]

The plot arranged by the author was like this.

In every place they went, there would inevitably be a lecherous young lord coveting the heroine's beauty.

Either the original protagonist would kill him, or the original heroine would.

Then the young lord's father would come in a fit of impotent rage, only to turn around and deliver himself as well.

Mix in a bit of damsel-in-distress, and the original protagonist would have his moment to shine.

Although this transition wasn't novel, it was a good way to help Ye Tian gain favor.

"The City Lord's son?"

Yun Yao was slightly puzzled.

Just as she was wondering, three well-dressed men suddenly entered from outside.

"Young master, young master, you've come to the wrong place!"

"This is a tavern. Lady Yu's dye workshop is next door... let's head over there now and have Lady Yu sober you up."

The two men dressed as servants supported the young man in the middle.

The young man reeked of alcohol, appearing quite drunk.

"Hold on!" The young man pushed them away, supporting himself against the wall as he walked towards the window seat.

Lin Heng's lips curled into a smile, [Speak of the devil!]

"Brother, your young lady looks quite nice!"