Chapter 39: The Master Strategist

“Old man has heard a little.” Ji Zhen spoke: “The Taiping Dao’s Foundation Establishment method includes a technique called Cutting the Three Corpses.”

“Those who succeed naturally become gifted in both civil and martial arts.”

“Taiping Dao?” Chu Danqing had not expected this matter to be linked to the Taiping Dao.

“Indeed. The Three Corpses, the Six Robbers, and the Nine Worms—these three Foundation Establishment methods progress in sequence, and may be practiced individually or in succession.”

“It is said that mastering all three is among the finest Foundation Establishment methods in the world.” Ji Zhen adjusted his posture to ease the discomfort of being pressed by his clothing before continuing.

“I am not familiar with this.” Chu Danqing shook his head, then said: “Previously, I—”

He summarized Lu San’s condition and that of the human-faced black panther, explaining the three distinct changes in temperament.

Ji Zhen stroked his beard and said: “Sir intends to suggest that I have been tainted by one of the Three Corpses, hence my fondness for fine garments.”

“Precisely,” Chu Danqing said.

“Then, sir, do you have a solution?” Ji Zhen asked with a smile, as if utterly unconcerned.

This left Chu Danqing with a look of helplessness: “I do not.”

In truth, he had a solution: kill Ji Zhen outright.

Upon reflection, aside from the human-faced black panther, the Three Corpses had shown no overtly evil deeds on their hosts so far.

Lu San had changed his temperament, but he spent his own money—he did not steal or rob.

Should he turn to crime later when funds ran out, that would be a matter for later—no one could be punished merely for a possible future crime.

If that were the standard, ninety-nine percent of people in the world would be guilty, for “possible” is far too vague.

“If so, then leave it be,” Ji Zhen smiled. “My Ji household is vast and wealthy—I do not lack for fine garments.”

“That is true,” Chu Danqing agreed. “But it is not the ten thousand we fear—it is the one in ten thousand. What if there are lingering dangers?”

“Father, why not ask the Taiping Dao?” Ji Yun felt Chu Danqing had a point.

The Ji family still held considerable standing in Yangxian County; hiring someone to resolve this would not be difficult.

“No need for trouble,” Ji Zhen waved dismissively. “This method is not accessible to ordinary adherents. I have never heard of any high-ranking Taiping Dao figures in Yangxian County.”

The implication was clear: it could not be resolved.

Hearing this, Ji Yun grew even more anxious.

Chu Danqing did not press further. He bowed: “Since the elder has made his decision, I shall not disturb you further.”

“Yet, for the sake of your entire household, this affliction should still be resolved as soon as possible.”

“If you do not mind, I shall inquire among the Lu family to see if anything can be done to assist.”

He intended to leave; staying here served no further purpose. From Ji Zhen’s demeanor, it was clear neither could sway him.

“Then I thank you, sir. Your life-saving grace cannot be repaid—please visit often and remain close.” Ji Zhen spoke warmly, then ordered Ji Yun to escort Chu Danqing out.

With a guest present, Ji Yun could only uphold the Ji family’s dignity. After seeing Chu Danqing off, he returned, ready to press further—but Ji Zhen spoke first.

“Master Chu is among your few true friends,” Ji Zhen said slowly. “He is honest and kind. Do not be stingy with him.”

“Should you ever fall into hardship, he will be one of the few to extend a hand.”

“Such a man cannot be won by profit alone—he must be bound by loyalty and righteousness.”

With that, Ji Zhen, supported by his attendant, slowly departed.

“Father, you—” Ji Yun wanted to say something, but Ji Zhen was already far away—and no longer seemed the least bit unwell.

In that instant, he realized he no longer understood his own father.

Meanwhile, Chu Danqing had boarded his carriage and was heading toward the Lu family.

Fifty thousand coins was no small sum to entrust to the Lu family, so upon returning, he immediately sought out Lu Ping, head of the Lu household.

He was told Lu Ping had left on business and would not return for some time.

Seeing this, he turned instead to seek out Lu Yin.

When Lu Yin heard that fifty thousand coins could secure a thousand shi of grain, his expression showed clear surprise.

“My elder sister’s ability to invite Master Chu into our Lu household is truly a stroke of fortune.”

“My father once traveled to the Ji household to purchase grain—and returned empty-handed. Yet Master Chu secured a thousand shi. Yin admires you,” Lu Yin said with genuine awe.

It was as if he had stumbled upon a treasure.

“Luck, pure luck,” Chu Danqing demurred. Then, seizing the moment, he inquired about the Three Corpses.

“Master Chu is interested in the Three Corpses? I happen to know a little,” Lu Yin smiled. “The Three Corpses are also the Three Poisons.”

“The Upper Corpse craves fine adornments and prestige; the Middle Corpse craves savory flavors; the Lower Corpse craves lust and desire.”

“The doctrine of the Three Corpses comes from the ‘Human’ volume of the Three Scrolls of the Taiping Book, which the Taiping Dao’s founder received from Huang Tian.”

“Thus arose the method of Cutting the Three Corpses.” Lu Yin explained the nature of the Three Corpses to Chu Danqing, weaving in fragments of Taiping Dao intelligence.

From this discourse, Chu Danqing understood why the Lu clan had been deemed a faction by the Paradise.

Ji Yun knew little of the Taiping Dao, but Lu Yin spoke of it as if reciting family lore.

Chu Danqing then recounted the situation to Lu Yin.

Lu Yin smiled. “Master Chu, rest easy.”

“Though the Ji household is not equal to ours, Ji Zhen is no lesser man than my father. A single Upper Corpse—Ju—cannot harm him.”

“His lifespan is nearly spent. This is his way of paving the path for Ji Yun.”

Hearing this, Chu Danqing suddenly understood: Ji Zhen did not wish to remove it—he found the Upper Corpse Ju useful.

“Yet since Master Chu has spoken of it, our Lu household cannot be stingy.”

With that, Lu Yin summoned paper, ink, brush, and inkstone, wrote a note, and stamped it with his personal seal.

“Xiao Cui, fetch a single Liuli Dixin Pill from the treasury,” Lu Yin handed the note to a maid beside him.

“Deliver it at noon, when the grain is handed over—as a gift to Ji Zhen, to aid him.”

On ordinary days, a thousand shi of grain meant little to the Lu household.

But now, in famine, with no end in sight, grain had become invaluable.

Chu Danqing did not know the value of the Liuli Dixin Pill, but since Lu Yin had needed to write and seal a note, he knew it was precious.

Yet since it was not meant for him, he did not press for details on its effects.

“Lord Lu, a thousand shi of grain is no small amount. Transporting it from the Ji household to your estate may draw too much attention and cause unrest,” Chu Danqing warned.

Lu Yin explained his concern: “Our household employs Master Xie Liyang, known as the Wine Flask Recluse. Besides his mastery of fire-dodging and wine-making, his greatest pride is his wine gourd—the one that holds a world within.”

“Transporting the grain requires no great effort.”

Chu Danqing thought the upper and lower limits of this trial world were wildly uneven.

(End of Chapter)