Tianjin people will never lose SAN

Chapter 472: Ghost Market (4k+)

The warm summer breeze blew across the green courtyard. In the shadow of the porch, Liu Yonglu looked at Carol, and Carol looked at Liu Yonglu. Neither of them spoke.

"Hahaha, explain it in detail, then...pfft...explain it more clearly."

Liu Yonglu couldn't hold back his laughter in the end.

It turned out that Liu Yonglu thought Carol would definitely not agree, and he would have to roll up his sleeves and persuade her for a while.

After all, the two have known each other for such a long time, and Liu Yonglu has never seen him distracted by other things. He even came to the dance party after the expo dinner alone.

After all this fuss, you are a tough guy with a soft heart, a romantic! That's easy, the emperor is more anxious than anyone else, so I just need to help him out.

"Oh, let's not talk about it anymore. It's nothing."

Carol's face turned red, he waved his hands, lowered his head to smoke, and became speechless.

"Hey, Carol, go on, I won't interrupt you. Besides, I have experience with this kind of thing, maybe I can analyze it for you."

Liu Yonglu sucked his cheeks and patted his chest twice.

"Then why were you happy just now?"

"I...I thought of something very happy, but don't worry, I am a professional in this field and I will never laugh."

Liu Yonglu brought two stools and helped Carol sit down.

"Promise yourself not to tell anyone else."

"Look at what you said... Am I like a gossiper?"

Carol looked at Liu Yonglu and was obviously unconvinced. However, since the Investigation Department had arranged for Ricky to be in charge of his marriage, he would have to know about this sooner or later, so he might as well tell him first:
“That happened last week. We had just arrived in Kurt a few days ago and found that the situation here was indeed very turbulent.

In my opinion, the Kurds can be roughly divided into four factions. The first faction is Prince Herama's group. Although they have been secretly embarrassed by the opposition during this period, it must be said that they still occupy a controlling position in the internal affairs of Kurt.

The second group is other religious groups that operate in secret. As you said just now, many people hide statues of gods in their homes. They are definitely not just pretending, there is indeed the shadow of gods infiltrating behind them.

The third faction is a small number of Kurt merchants. These people are of different races and clans from the local Kurt people, but they have amassed a lot of wealth through trade. Recently, they have united many poor people under their command. They have always been very dissatisfied with this theocratic ruling method.

In Herama's view, there is actually not much difference between the second and third categories of people. They are all his enemies. Therefore, in recent times, some ordinary businessmen have been framed and tried for heresy.

The fourth type of people…”

At this point, Carol looked warily at the maid in the distance who was carrying wine and food, and whispered:
"The fourth group of people are Prince Yusuf's people. Although he is the eldest son of Prince Herama, he seems to be dissatisfied with the ancient tradition of worshiping gods. So he looks depressed every day. Some businessmen have contacted him privately..."

Carol turned her head to look at Liu Yonglu, and saw that he was using a stick to poke ants on the ground!
"Ricky...Ricky..."

"Ah, I'm listening. Go on, get to the important part..."

Carol was so angry. You were sitting next to me, waiting to hear gossip! Perhaps he felt that he was too obvious, so Liu Yonglu coughed and asked:
"Since Yusuf was so disobedient, why did Helama push him out?"

"Because the other children of Herama were too young and his brothers were ambitious, Prince Yusuf was very smart and courageous, and was very much liked by Herama.

It’s just that the father and son have big differences in religion, and it is said that they have quarreled several times in private. ”

"Oh... wait a moment, I'm thirsty, maid! Maid!"

Carol really wanted to give Liu Yonglu a big slap in the face! I don't know why this guy is happy again...

"why are you laughing?"

"I am naturally cheerful, so why waste time talking nonsense? Go on. Do you eat grapes?"

"Because Kurt's situation was a bit complicated, I changed my clothes one evening and prepared to go out and take a look..."

Carol's eyes gradually became blurred and gentle as he told the story...

When he went out that day, the sun was already setting slightly. Carol changed into the linen robe commonly worn by the locals and wrapped a turban on his head. At the door of the Flowing Water Palace, he noticed the spies arranged by Prince Herama as soon as he paid attention.

Who is Carol? As a captain of the investigation department, it was easy for him to deal with this level of tracking and surveillance. He walked around the city of Oia a few times and used some tricks to get rid of the spy.

As an investigator, where can you get first-hand intelligence? Carol's choice was the same as Liu Yonglu's. The bar was the best choice. He walked around and found a bar in a busy area of ​​Oia and walked in.

Although we arrived a little early, the bar was still crowded at dusk, with flickering candles, lingering smoke, and the air filled with the smell of spicy spices and hookah.

Carol was very alert. He knew it was a little strange for him to sit in alone, so he asked the maid to arrange a seat for two in the corner and lied that a friend would come to discuss business with him later.

During this time, he also followed the locals' example and ordered some hookah, mint tea and snacks, and while eating, he pricked up his ears to collect information.

The bar was filled with traveling merchants, mercenaries, and slave traders from all over. Carol paid a little attention and discovered two mystics. Just as he knew, Kurt was different from Moses Sad, and forbidden knowledge was semi-public here.

Carol sat there until the lights came on and it was pitch black outside. She thought it was enough and she could come back tomorrow. Just at this moment, all the lights in the bar were suddenly turned off, leaving only a hint of light in the corner.

The next second, music started, and several graceful, honey-skinned dancers walked out from the backstage and began to dance to the music. They wore thin silver chains on their wrists and ankles, and every time they swayed and danced slowly, there would always be a pleasant tapping sound.

They wore lotus-colored veils on their faces, and their three-dimensional facial features looked even more hazy and mysterious under the veils.

Carol has now somewhat forgotten how chaotic the bar became. It seemed that some of Herama's bodyguards suddenly recognized the fugitive in the crowd, and these guys started fighting without restraint, suddenly starting fighting in public!
There were screams, the sound of people running away, and the sound of glass teacups shattering as they fell to the ground.

"It seems that two businessmen, father and son, were identified as heretics. These guards were like wolves and tigers. They were too ruthless.

Ricky, I think you can't beat up a father's son in front of him. It's very disgraceful. Although I know it might not be a good choice to stop it before I understand the situation, I just..."

Carol looked at his clenched fist, and Liu Yonglu only then noticed that Carol had a bandage on his right hand.

"You are eager to help others and can't suppress your anger. I understand. I know you too well."

Liu Yonglu nodded. He knew that Carol had a quick temper.

"Well, I rushed forward at that time, but there was someone who took action earlier than me, and that person was her..." Carol's eyes softened. That was a dancer who had just danced. She was at the back of the troupe. Carol didn't pay much attention to her, but only now realized how agile she was.

Every time she kicked, a guard would fall to the ground. The dagger in her hand was like a silver elf dancing in the air, always able to block the guards' weapons just right. Watching her fight was simply a pleasure. At this time, Carol also squeezed through the crowd, picked up a wooden chair in the bar, and knocked down several guards.

The dancer was obviously stunned for a moment, and then she smiled at him, and the two stood back to back.

"What happened next...what happened next..."

Liu Yonglu was so happy to hear that he forgot to put the dates in his hand into his mouth.

"Later, I realized that I had saved the right person. The bar owner came to rescue the guards after seeing them all knocked to the ground. He told me that Omar and his son were indeed honest overseas merchants, and the guards were just holding a grudge against them..."

"Who asked you this! Sister-in-law! I'm asking about sister-in-law!"

Liu Yonglu couldn't guess this? The dancer must be Carol's fiancée in disguise!
"Brothers and sisters?"

Carol frowned, asked Liu Yonglu for a cigarette and continued to reminisce.

Yasmine, the dancer told herself, her name was Yasmine. When Carol got closer, she found that she was much younger than she looked, with the childishness and mischief of a girl still on her face.

"Hurry up, follow me, the guards will catch up soon!"

Yasmine took Carol's hand and walked out, wandering around the street in a big way, making quite a noise.

"We have to lure the pursuers away, otherwise old Omar will be doomed if he falls into their hands!"

It turned out that she knew the father and son. Carol was dragged by the girl and fell into the fog. Is it okay to continue like this? What if Hera Ma's men catch up with him later? Should he reveal his identity? If he reveals his identity, will it cause any irreversible diplomatic impact?

Carol's mind was in a mess, but the dilemma before him did not allow him to hesitate any longer. Carol could see rolling smoke and dust in his field of vision, and the enemy's cavalry was approaching.

"Miss, hide behind me for a while. I will go and negotiate. They won't hurt me."

"Hahaha, what nonsense are you talking about? The guards of Heramar don't care whether you are a local merchant or not."

It turned out that she mistook me for a merchant doing ocean trade. Before Carol could react, Yasmine took him through a series of dark and narrow alleys. Sometimes he had to jump over the roofs of low sheds, and sometimes he had to go through an inconspicuous grocery store. He was completely dizzy.

"We are safe here, but we cannot return to the port area yet. They must still be conducting inspections there.

I just happen to be here shopping today, please accompany me."

Carol now found herself standing in a narrow alley, where the lighting was not very bright. The alley was filled with street vendors on both sides. In front of each of them was a blanket piled with strange goods.

There are bone fragments that will make people fall into the same dream when clenched, white candles that whisper when burned, and human skin maps with locations that do not exist in the real world...

Anyway, there are all kinds of books and materials on the occult.

"Ricky, this really opened my eyes. If I hadn't forgotten the way there, I would really like to take you to see it. Kurt is indeed a magical place.

However, to trade there you also need to understand the local rules. They speak some of the oldest Kurdish languages, which I can't understand very well.

And there are special rules for bargaining with them. If you are an outsider, I am afraid...

"Mr. Carol, the place you are going to is Kurt's underground market!"

The sudden voice of Kougan from behind scared both Liu Yonglu and Carol. This man, carrying gold on his back, was standing behind them, listening to the show!

"When did you come?" Liu Yonglu didn't take it seriously. Kou Gang was his own man and he could be trusted.

"Just now, when we were talking about coming out of the bar!"

Kougan rubbed his nose and entered the Flowing Water Palace. Liu Yonglu grabbed Carol and chatted with her, while Milly Tang talked to DeLorean in private, but the luggage of several people could not be left unattended.

Kou Gang and Mr. Shani were responsible for carrying the luggage. When Kou Gang arrived at the courtyard, he saw Liu Yonglu and Carol chatting enthusiastically. No one noticed him, so Kou Gang tiptoed to the side.

"Yes, this place sounds familiar to me. In our place, it's called... the ghost market. It's closed during the day, but people come out to do business in the second half of the night.

The things are also strange in shape, and most of them are of unknown origin..."

Carol was angry. You two are still chatting, right? But he was also familiar with Kogan. He had lived in the same room with this kid when he was escorting Nicholas before. He knew his temper and personality. He shook his head and could only continue:

"Yasmine is looking for some materials for the mass. I guess she has a broken treasure map and can't open the door to the treasure when she is looking for something..."

Carol stroked his chin and recalled what happened that day.

Yasmine first took out a robe from her bag and put it on. While changing clothes, she suddenly looked back at herself. At that time, Carol was secretly admiring her graceful figure and was caught red-handed.

But Yasmine didn't say anything, she just glared at Carol and waved her fists twice.

Afterwards, the two began to search for materials about Yasmine's target one by one. Carol was actually the captain of the investigation department. Although forbidden knowledge was not his forte, he was still much better than ordinary people.

With his help, the two found a broken crystal and a mirror wrapped in black cloth. In Carol's opinion, these would be helpful to Yasmin.

When the horizon turned pale and dawn was approaching, the stall owners in the market began to pack up and go home. Yasmine took Carol to the road he was familiar with. At this time, the road was empty, without the hustle and bustle of the day, and without Herama's pursuers.

She didn't want to get herself into trouble.

"Then... we'll meet again. Don't come to the port area again for a while."

The girl stretched out her right hand seriously and shook hands with Carol, while Carol stood in a daze on the street for a long time before she withdrew her gaze from the corner where Yasmine disappeared. She stood there for a long time before she returned to the flowing water courtyard in a daze.

"And then? Nothing? What's so strange about that? How can you be so sure that she is your fiancée?"

Liu Yonglu was getting impatient, and Kou Gang nodded beside him.

"Don't worry! Let me continue."

(End of this chapter)