Chapter 250: Yulan Blood Dew

“Another monk? Looks like this one’s the master of that guy from earlier.” Chu Danqing stared at the old monk torn to shreds by Dabao.

He’d thought he’d stormed a whole nest of them.

As for the one who killed the three-eyed Yecha General, it wasn’t the Pure Yang Heavenly General—it was the Vajra Warrior.

Chu Danqing realized that after his experience, insight, and stats improved, he no longer relied heavily on detection equipment.

He could now roughly estimate an opponent’s stats and certain abilities on his own.

This was thanks to his Mastery skill granting him vast knowledge.

If he continued growing, his own perception alone might let him see through an enemy’s true strength.

Provided the enemy wasn’t stronger than him.

“Stronger” here didn’t mean combat power—it meant knowledge reserves.

So he suspected that at Rank 2, if a disciple wasn’t specialized in detection, detection equipment would plummet in value.

Detection gear only commands high prices if non-detection disciples can use it; otherwise, why would most disciples buy gear they can’t use, only stare at?

“Big Brother Chu, where did you get this?” Yang Qianyuan could tell the Vajra Warrior was a Spirit Path spirit beast—but he couldn’t fathom how Chu Danqing had another one.

Dabao’s Double Purple Mansion was already full—how could there be a third?

“He? He’s an outside ally,” Chu Danqing said seriously.

The Paradise’s provided identity truly offered disciples near-perfect camouflage, making systems from other trial worlds appear plausible.

But people aren’t fools, nor are they cognitively distorted—everyone knows one Purple Mansion can only cultivate one spirit beast. Two is acceptable, given exceptional talent.

But a third? That challenges their entire worldview.

Yang Qianyuan grew even more convinced Chu Danqing’s origins were shrouded in mystery.

“Now isn’t the time for this. I think we should cut the roots first,” Chu Danqing immediately changed the subject.

The Fang household had many people, but Chu Danqing’s arrival was too brutal—he instantly intimidated most of them.

Seeing this, Yang Qianyuan could only assist on-site, quickly gathering everyone together.

There were at least two or three hundred people; with Dabao and the Vajra Warrior present, order was maintained.

Xu Congwen came from a scholarly family and had experience in such matters—he began tracing the trail to find something that could destroy the Fang household.

They’d already offended them—so they had to crush them immediately.

Surprisingly, they actually found something.

“It’s Yulan Blood Dew,” Yang Qianyuan said after inspecting the box of jade vials Xu Congwen had found and sniffing one—his expression darkened.

Xu Congwen looked utterly confused—the name sounded elegant, but the smell? He’d smelled it before: just a foul, fishy stench.

Chu Danqing had no idea what it was—he’d only just arrived in this trial world, less than a day ago.

“For a Yecha Soldier to become a special Yecha General, Yulan Blood Dew is essential.”

“This substance is refined from a woman’s blood—just one small vial requires draining a woman alive,” Yang Qianyuan said.

Hearing this, Chu Danqing and Xu Congwen’s faces darkened too.

This full box contained at least a hundred vials.

That meant at least a hundred lives had been taken.

“The An Yong Code forbids Yulan Blood Dew,” Yang Qianyuan added. “Send someone to summon the Prefect.”

“This is a major case!”

Destroying a family was less serious than secretly producing Yulan Blood Dew.

As for why Yecha Soldiers themselves aren’t outright banned—it’s because you can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.

After all, Yecha Soldiers aren’t the only spirit beasts with such dark evolution methods—most spirit beasts have them. You can’t ban all spirit beasts.

It’s like a kitchen knife: meant for cutting vegetables, but someone will always use it to commit crimes.

In the An Yong Dynasty, owning weapons or armor isn’t illegal—but secretly stockpiling or manufacturing materials for such dark evolutions is a grave crime.

Seeing this, Xu Congwen hurriedly said, “I’ll go.”

He rushed out the Fang household’s main gate.

He didn’t trust the Fang household’s retainers.

Yang Qianyuan felt uneasy—the Fang household’s spirit beasts weren’t Yecha Soldiers; the two monks were connected to this.

Earlier, his divination had sensed the monks were entangled in something vast, tied to the empire’s fate.

Now Yulan Blood Dew surfaces—if this is coincidence, he didn’t believe it.

The Prefect arrived swiftly with troops, glanced at Yang Qianyuan, exchanged a brief nod, exchanged polite words, then inspected the box of Yulan Blood Dew.

“Take everyone away and interrogate them thoroughly about the origin of this contraband,” the Prefect said, his eyes glinting with cold fury.

Thank heaven it was discovered—if a worse crisis erupted under his jurisdiction, he wouldn’t just lose his hat—he’d lose his life.

“Thank you all for your aid. I will investigate this case thoroughly!” the Prefect promised at once, praising Chu Danqing for his vigilance and boldness.

Chu Danqing’s earlier killings had changed character—from arrogant brutality to righteous intervention.

Not only was he unpunished—he was rewarded handsomely.

“Prefect, I suspect something’s amiss here,” said a middle-aged man in armor, flanked by a venom-patterned leopard, eyeing them with hostility.

Xu Congwen whispered to Chu Danqing and Yang Qianyuan: “This is the Fang household’s patron—Captain Cheng Xunyan of Fucheng.”

He’d learned of the Fang household’s crisis immediately—but arrived too late. Both his brothers-in-law were dead.

“Captain Cheng, what could possibly be amiss?” the Prefect stared straight at him.

Cheng Xunyan felt strange: normally, the Prefect respected him—because he commanded troops, served under Prince Ning, and came from a local great clan.

Why was he opposing him today?

His gaze swept over the box of Yulan Blood Dew.

“Of course, it’s this box of Yulan Blood Dew. Our An Yong Dynasty is peaceful and orderly—how could such contraband exist? I suspect someone’s using this incident to…” Cheng Xunyan immediately tried to shift blame.

But the Prefect cut him off mid-sentence.

“Captain Cheng, you may eat whatever you like—but don’t speak nonsense.”

“The evidence is clear. What’s amiss?” The Prefect refused to give Cheng Xunyan any face this time.

He’d respected him before because he needed to serve in Guanglu Prefecture—the tangled connections made it hard to offend him.

For his own career, he’d swallowed his pride.

But if he mishandles this, he’ll lose his life—yet you want him to take the blame to protect the Fang household?

You’ve grown too used to your arrogance—do you really think I, the Prefect, am your personal lackey, ready to take the fall on command?

“Seal the case. This involves the Fang household. Captain Cheng, you’re related by marriage—you must not interfere. Surrender your armor and weapons, return home, and remain confined.”

“You’ll resume duty once the results are in.” The Prefect detained Cheng Xunyan outright.

But Cheng Xunyan smiled: “Prefect, you speak honestly—but my rank? You can’t remove me.”

“If you say there’s no mystery, then there isn’t.”

“Take these criminals and evidence into custody. Interrogate them thoroughly.”

As he spoke, Cheng Xunyan’s soldiers surged forward, dragging away all the Fang household members—and seizing the box of Yulan Blood Dew.

Then, with a mocking glance at the Prefect, he turned and left.

He couldn’t out-debate you—but he had troops. What could you do?

The Prefect’s face flushed with rage.

Chu Danqing and Yang Qianyuan remained silent.

“This man has problems,” Chu Danqing said.

“Tied to Yulan Blood Dew,” Yang Qianyuan added more precisely: “His bluster seems meant to save the Fang household—but his real target is that box of Yulan Blood Dew.”

“If I’m right, the two monks were just temporary residents—the Yulan Blood Dew belongs to someone else.”

“This Cheng Xunyan is likely just one link—not the true demander.”

The more it unraveled, the more Yang Qianyuan suspected Guanglu Prefecture was merely a transit point—or a production site.

“Don’t say it aloud—the Prefect’s warning sounded helpful, but he’s actually revealing Cheng Xunyan’s patron: Prince Ning.”

The implication: if you think someone else is behind this, then it’s Prince Ning.

But as Prefect, he knew what to say and what not to—so he feigned a warning.

Hearing this, Chu Danqing silently added Prince Ning to his list—he’d find a chance to kill him after completing his trial and chain quests.

“Prefect, if the criminals and evidence are taken by Captain Cheng, won’t they…” Xu Congwen worried.

“Don’t worry—I’ll handle it,” the Prefect said. Though humiliated tonight, since Cheng Xunyan broke the rules, he’d break them too.

“It’s late. You’ll need to leave the city early tomorrow. Rest well—gain your strength for the journey.”

The Prefect wouldn’t sleep tonight—but he had to get these three out of his sight.

Yang Qianyuan wanted to say more, but Chu Danqing bowed and said: “Then we’re grateful for your arrangements.”

Xu Congwen and Yang Qianyuan were surprised—Chu Danqing’s nature? He’d never let this go.

He’d have beaten Cheng Xunyan into a bloody pulp.

“Of course, of course,” the Prefect replied, immediately sending servants to guide them to quarters.

Once settled, Chu Danqing turned to Yang Qianyuan: “Is there any way to make Cheng Xunyan learn we’re leaving the city tomorrow—so he’ll chase us, furious, to retaliate?”

You can’t kill inside the city—but beyond the walls, An Yong’s laws don’t reach.

Chu Danqing’s suggestion made sense to Yang Qianyuan and Xu Congwen—actually tolerating this would be the real problem.

“Yes, Big Brother Chu—there is,” Yang Qianyuan said at once.

(End of Chapter)