Chapter 1228: Testing the Waters, Insufficient Privileges (5k)_3

Chapter 1228: Chapter 422: Testing the Waters, Insufficient Privileges (5k)_3

“No, only similar photos.”

“Is there any record of this lantern’s origins?”

“No direct record… Please hold on.”

Wen Yan was preparing to wash up and go to sleep when the Black Box sent a message.

“I’ve found that this lantern is purely handmade, and the related techniques are quite difficult. The material processing is also very troublesome. I’ve found possible places that might master these techniques, listed below from most to least likely.”

The Black Box provided a long list, complete with brief introductions, resembling a public account.

There are over a dozen options, and it’s Wen Yan’s first time knowing that The Town of Lanterns consists of more than a dozen places.

These dozen places span from areas near the Capital City to the Northeast, from Guanzhong County to Tianfu County, and then to Nanwu County, all included.

The Black Box couldn’t discern some unquantifiable things but provided Wen Yan with reference images.

Wen Yan examined a few and focused on three: one in Tianfu County, one in Guanzhong County, and the other in Nanwu County.

Wen Yan isn’t well-versed in techniques, but purely based on comparison and intuition, these three places seem most likely. After carefully looking at the detailed explanations and comparing techniques and material selections, these three still appear most probable.

Though they all call themselves The Town of Lanterns, their inherited skills and styles, their cores, are vastly different.

For example, some places in the north excel in crafting large red lanterns, but those techniques and materials aren’t suitable for octagonal lanterns.

Having seen this, Wen Yan put away his phone, taking advantage of the pre-dawn hours to catch some sleep.

He didn’t bother with the Ghosts who were taken away; he’s sleeping soundly, while others should be worried.

To be honest, he rather hoped that some brazen individuals might extinguish or release the Ghosts at this time.

That would simplify matters.

Wen Yan soon fell asleep. On his phone, the Black Box icon quietly retreated from the screen, disappearing completely.

Wen Yan was right; it’s others who should be worried.

As Wen Yan swaggered into the Capital City with several Ghosts, they were captured by surveillance cameras, and now quite a few people know about this, despite it being pre-dawn.

In a small village in the Northeast, a middle-aged man gripped his phone, sweating profusely.

“Yes, I don’t know either! How would I know? I thought some Divine Woman was seeking rice, how could I possibly know someone was summoning souls in the Nether Path?”

“This… This is insane!”

“Who? Wen Yan? Which Wen Yan?”

“Are you brainless, kicked by a donkey? Of course it’s that Wen Yan!” The voice over the phone roared.

“Oh my god, is this guy reckless? It’s just insane! How could I anticipate this? I only saw someone summon souls; once didn’t work, they tried again. How could I tolerate it? How was I to know it would turn out like this? Stop scolding me, what’s the point? What should we do now?”

“You ask me, who should I ask? Several Ghosts were captured!”

Wen Yan was out of his mind, dragging those Ghosts straight into the Capital City, got caught by cameras, triggering alarms.

Now those Ghosts are all at the Scorching Sun Headquarters!

Are you brainless, feeding on pig brains every day? You’ve nearly turned into pig brain!”

“Ah… Then… Then… What do we do?”

“Right now, get moving immediately, head north or south, just leave quickly. If you can’t, then just go and die, die thoroughly now, don’t leave a corpse, definitely don’t implicate others.”

“But I’ve already died on record; the death certificate is issued, cremation is recorded. How can I run? What if I’m caught on camera…”

“If you’re still in the Divine Land by dawn, I’ll personally finish you!”

With a bang, the phone call ended, and judging by the sound, the phone was likely smashed.

The middle-aged man was drenched with sweat; this time he’s in deep trouble. He’s never heard of anyone daring to summon souls in a place where Ghosts gather; isn’t this asking for trouble, seeking death?

As for the Nether Path, inherently extremely perilous, it’s the place where Lost Souls converge most.

Summoning souls in such a place doesn’t even exist within his comprehension.

The released Ghosts could pose a significant threat elsewhere, but in the Nether Path, it’s like trying to drown a river with a bowl of water.

The middle-aged man quickly pulled out a box from under the bed, containing cash and documents.

Fortunately, he was prepared earlier, having faked his death. With the death certificate issued, he’s not afraid someone will trace him now.

He swiftly retrieved a human skin mask, wore it, and put on a leather hat, covering his face, driving away rapidly.

Meanwhile, in the Capital City, some people couldn’t sleep either.

The Li Clan chief appeared at the Scorching Sun Headquarters before dawn.

He held a thermos cup, sitting on a chilly long bench, through which he could see the inner corridor and part of the interrogation room doors through the glass at the corridor entrance.

The Scorching Sun Headquarters is bustling even at night.

Seeing Old Li sitting there, someone came to ask.

Old Li took a sip from his thermos, spat out some tea leaves, and replied leisurely.

“Couldn’t sleep, came to feel the atmosphere here, so I can educate the younger generation better when I return, let them learn as well.”

The person looked in the direction Old Li was gazing and smiled wryly.

“This is the headquarters…”

“What do you want to say? I’m just sitting here. If not welcome, or inappropriate, I’ll leave immediately.”

“Alright then, please sit…” The person dared not speak further and quickly retreated.

Wen Yan brought the Ghosts into the Capital with no concealment; now everyone who should know, knows.

Upon hearing that Wen Yan left the city overnight, went down to the Nether Path, got attacked by Ghosts there, and brought those attackers back, Old Li was instantly wide awake, washed his face, made two phone calls, and came to sit here directly.

Incidents involving people colluding with suspects at the Scorching Sun Department, especially Ghosts, which then dissipate inside, have not happened before.

Old Li certainly knew what Wen Yan went to the Nether Path for, and under what circumstances Ghosts could inexplicably run there to attack Wen Yan.

Besides Soul Summoning, what else could it be?

Originally, he was just applying the last resort, uncertain of how to handle it, listening to Wen Yan at the meeting, got hot-headed, and then thick-skinned asked Wen Yan for help.

Who would have thought that Wen Yan refused to sleep that very night to first go and help him, and nearly got caught in the Nether Path.

If he now pretends not to know or care, what kind of person would he be?

Old Li said nothing, personally sat there, sat on the chilly bench, just squatting there watching.