Chapter 60: Another Source of Assistance

The three returned straight to the Lu residence; after settling the two, Chu Danqing went to find Lu Yin to explain the full sequence of events.

After listening, Lu Yin’s expression softened with a sigh.

“What is Master Ren Gongdao trying to do, causing such a commotion?” Lu Yin asked, puzzled.

“What if Master Ren Gongdao himself is unaware?” Chu Danqing suddenly said, recalling what Guo Ming had told him about the court’s new crackdown on the Taiping Dao.

Lu Yin’s face grew grave. “Then the trouble is great—we’ve become pawns.”

“Never mind that for now; with Father and the Prefect holding the line, this isn’t our concern.”

“Rather than brooding, better to think how to deal with the remaining three-corpse demons.” Lu Yin changed the subject.

“Last night, the demon returned to the residence seeking Master Chu, and was spotted again by Elder Xie.”

“According to Elder Xie, the demon has made another third of progress.”

“This demon won’t let you go,” Lu Yin warned Chu Danqing to be cautious.

Chu Danqing’s expression darkened; his feud with the demon had grown serious—it now hunted him relentlessly.

But this was good news: if the demon dared return at night, Chu Danqing would turn it into a treasure chest.

He held a binding incantation; at his pace, he could freeze the demon for an instant every twenty seconds.

After three or five recitations, Da Bao could kill it.

“Let it come—see who won’t let go of whom,” Chu Danqing said coldly.

He then asked, “Have you found any trace of Master Ren Gongdao’s son?”

Lu Yin shook his head. “No—but I have a few suspicions.”

“We’ll discuss it after you’ve dealt with the demon.”

Meaning: he had leads, but no concrete proof.

That’s why the government and the Lu family dared not act.

“Master Chu, you’ve worked hard these past two days—I meant to let you rest.”

“But the demon’s havoc has kept Elder Xie overwhelmed, so we must trouble you further.”

“I’ve prepared a small gift—please don’t refuse,” Lu Yin didn’t let Chu Danqing work for free; he offered compensation.

He clapped his hands, and the maid named Xiao Cui reappeared, carrying a brocade box.

Lu Yin took it and handed it to Chu Danqing: “Consider it the Lu family’s contribution to Da Bao’s recovery.”

“Then I won’t be so formal,” Chu Danqing accepted without hesitation, then told Lu Yin about Guo Ming.

Why refuse payment for labor?

With that said, there was nothing left to discuss; he exchanged a few more words and left.

On the way back, he opened the brocade box and found three solid, wax-like substances, gray-black in color, emitting a sweet, earthy fragrance.

【Eastern Sea Dragon Scent】

【Type: Material】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Effect 1: Usable in potion, food, and related preparations】

He closed the box and stored it all in his storage space.

With Dragon Scent and Hundred-Whisker Ginseng, not only would Da Bao’s new skill be secured—he was confident he could even enhance Da Bao’s stats and abilities.

Back home, Chu Danqing told Guo Ming the situation.

“By the way, I’ve already contacted Lu Yin to use the Lu family’s connections to reach your family.”

“I’ll take you to the steward in charge right now,” Chu Danqing shifted focus to Guo Ming.

“Then I’m in your debt, Brother Chu,” Guo Ming didn’t refuse—he welcomed a better path out.

Immediately, Chu Danqing took Guo Ming and Da Bao to the location Lu Yin had given him.

On the way back, passing the covered corridor, he heard commotion at the Lu residence gate—someone was shouting Guo Ming’s name.

“Someone seems to be calling you,” Chu Danqing paused, glancing toward the gate.

“Yes,” Da Bao confirmed.

Guo Ming was baffled—he knew only Liu Wu in Yangxian County, and Liu Wu was dead.

Who could possibly know him?

The three walked straight to the gate.

There, several retainers of the gatehouse were shoving a ragged refugee.

The refugee wanted to enter; the retainers refused.

Seeing the three emerge, the refugee spotted Guo Ming—his eyes lit up instantly.

“Guo Ming, it’s me—I’m Cheng Wei!” the refugee shouted loudly.

Chu Danqing noticed the man’s skin wasn’t that of a refugee—he immediately stopped the retainers.

Guo Ming stepped forward to help him: “It really is you! We haven’t seen each other in years—what are you doing in Yangxian County?”

They clearly knew each other; Chu Danqing said at once: “Come inside—it’s cold out here.”

He ordered the retainers to fetch clothing and prepare wine and food, then led the man into his quarters to warm up.

“Sigh—it’s a long story,” Cheng Wei, now dressed warmly, sat down and sipped hot tea.

Guo Ming introduced Chu Danqing; Cheng Wei bowed and said: “Brother Chu.”

Then he told his story.

He came to Yangxian County on family business, but encountered the one-horned jiao in Xishui—barely escaped with his life.

The first half sounded familiar—almost identical to Guo Ming’s tale.

But the second half differed: he met Xiong Quan and his soldiers. Though safely returned to Yangxian, his appearance near Xishui raised suspicion of ties to the Taiping Dao.

He was detained, interrogated, released, then fell victim to further misfortune—hence his current state.

“Brother Cheng, you’ve truly had rotten luck,” Guo Ming laughed bitterly, recognizing the parallels—he told his own story.

Cheng Wei exclaimed: “What bad fortune to cross paths with such a man!”

“I’ve used the Lu family to contact Guo Ming’s family—you’ll return with him, to avoid further trouble,” Chu Danqing said.

He suspected Cheng Wei might have been the help Xiong Quan missed—but Xiong Quan had power and didn’t need it.

“Thank you, Brother Chu—your righteousness!” Cheng Wei hated Xiong Quan with a vengeance; he wished he’d met Chu Danqing instead.

In this contrast, his regard for Chu Danqing soared.

Who doesn’t want a good person to appear when they’re down?

Soon, food and wine arrived; Cheng Wei devoured it ravenously.

During this, Chu Danqing questioned him about Xiong Quan; Cheng Wei spoke freely, revealing everything without concealment.

After swallowing his last bite of rice, Cheng Wei sneered: “That fool thinks he can kill the three-corpse demon—he’s an idiot.”

Three-corpse demon—that was the human demon.

At these words, Chu Danqing and Guo Ming exchanged glances—he clearly knew something.

After searching far and wide, the answer came without effort.

“What do you know? Tell us quickly,” Guo Ming poured Cheng Wei a cup of wine. “Myself and Brother Chu have been tormented by this.”

Cheng Wei took the cup, drained it, belched, then said: “You’ve asked the right man.”

(End of Chapter)