Chapter 321: A Spark of Inspiration (Three-in-One)

Inside the red envelope Ji Cheng Tang gave Xu Yuan was eighty taels of silver.

This was a large red envelope.

A normal small red envelope contains only forty taels of silver.

On the way back, Xiang Qinghuai explained the intricacies of this to Xu Yuan in detail.

The unpredictable transformations of the print workers are uncontrollable.

They might receive an "omen of ill fortune" today, and through subtle influence, the unpredictable transformation might not occur until dozens or even over a hundred days later.

Each year, Ji Cheng Tang has about ten print workers undergo unpredictable transformations, with the cost of large and small red envelopes totaling around five hundred taels.

A single print worker's monthly wage is two hundred wen.

The foreman earns no more than three hundred fifty wen.

How much does a seventh-grade artisan object cost? A common one is at least two thousand taels!

Therefore, consuming print workers has become the cheapest option.

A Ji Cheng Tang almanac costs ten wen, and various costs must still be deducted.

One household buying one copy per year is sufficient.

The entire Southern Jiaozhi province has only about one and a half million households.

This is only because Southern Jiaozhi is humid and hot with abundant rain, allowing rice to mature three, or even four, times a year, thus supporting so many people.

Judging solely by the almanacs, Ji Cheng Tang is losing money.

What they seek is this reputation.

In this light, that copy of the Analects transcribed by a fifth-grade literary cultivator was likely an accidental acquisition, not something specifically sought to resolve the print workers' unpredictable transformations.

Xu Yuan turned this matter over and over in his mind, pondering it deeply, yet for the moment still lacked a clear train of thought.

For instance, having the stepmother create a reprint artisan object—an object that must be able to flip through the Great Calendar like a human, carve blocks, typeset, print, and bind...

Not only is it extremely complex, but the core of the artisan object itself would be material sourced from the eerie; flipping through the almanac in advance might cause an even more terrifying unpredictable transformation!

Or perhaps, hiring more print workers, splitting the Great Calendar into single pages, with each person responsible for only one page.

This would reduce contact between the print workers and the almanac, seemingly lowering the probability of infection by the ill fortune.

But the eerie does not abide by probabilities.

Perhaps even more print workers would undergo unpredictable transformations...

In the carriage was also that eerie presence, a piece of material remaining after the burning.

It was a piece of withered bone with mysterious curse marks on its surface.

Its level should not be high.

Because the evil spirit formed from a print worker is inherently of low level.

I will give it to the stepmother to examine later.

Even if a secondary unpredictable transformation occurs, Xiang Qinghuai is fully capable of exterminating it.

It is just that today's one suddenly transformed into a group; Xiang Qinghuai's "Dharma" has a weakness, and once he traps them, he can no longer strike.

It was not until the middle of the night that Xu Yuan finally fell into a drowsy sleep.

Champa.

During the day, the Lady sent fifty living people to the "Sinking Water Pond" east of the city.

In broad daylight, a rotting corpse catfish burst from the pond, its gaping mouth over one zhang long, swallowing the fifty people in a few bites!

The bloody storm and towering waves it raised splashed several of her subordinates from head to toe.

The corpse catfish's eyes were ghastly white, and it stared at the Lady for quite some time.

It seemed not yet full, wanting to swallow these few as well.

But whether something behind the scenes stopped it or not, the corpse catfish suddenly retreated into the pond, leaving only its massive head exposed.

Then it suddenly opened its mouth, and a corpse surged out from within.

The corpse was entirely covered in slime; large patches of skin from face to hand had been corroded by gastric acid, pitted and uneven.

Yet the corpse suddenly "came back to life," opening its mouth to speak hoarsely: "Nancheng Patrol Station—"

The guards' faces showed fear; the corpse seemed extremely pleased, its facial skin twitching as it revealed another eerie smile!

The Lady remained calm and composed, turning and leaving.

"That evil spirit enjoys manipulating corpses."

Controlling a corpse to make sounds and reveal a smile—showing considerable skill, clearly not the first time it has done this.

The Lady brought her subordinates near the Nancheng Patrol Station and found an inn to stay in.

They waited a whole day but found nothing.

The Lady grew impatient and ordered: "Tomorrow, find a way to capture a tongue."

The old grand official Ma Tianshou is busy with official duties and only showed his face yesterday when Xu Yuan first arrived.

Today, Xiang Qinghuai is accompanying him.

Today's prohibitions: listening to songs, looking in mirrors, getting drunk, and wielding swords.

Lang Xiao Ba silently unbuckled his sword and placed it inside the yamen.

Although the sword is not his primary weapon, officials throughout the Purification Bureau—or rather, all government clerks at the entrances of various yamens across the Great Ming—share a habitual action:

Draw the sword, glare, and shout curses!

Everyone is very practiced; when encountering trouble, they first go through this routine.

It can frighten over ninety percent of people.

So it's better to take off the pendant blade first, to avoid an instinctive move if something happens...

The Wu Xiu who wields the blade is done for today.

Before long, Xiang Qinghuai arrived, his waist indeed empty; he and Lang Xiao Ba exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

"Today we go to Qianjin Fang."

On the way, Xiang Qinghuai said to Xu Yuan: "Yesterday after I returned, I thought it over specifically. There are two shops in Qianjin Fang we must visit. I estimate there's a seventy percent chance I can get this matter settled for you!"

Xu Yuan couldn't help but feel hope: "That would be wonderful!"

When they arrived, Xiang Qinghuai led Xu Yuan straight to the first place, called "Mingcheng Xuan."

Two Seventh-Rank cultivators stood at the door; Xu Yuan activated "Wang Ming" and saw one Dan Xiu and one Shen Xiu!

Mingcheng Xuan was heavily guarded.

The Shopkeeper was a tall, thin man with a loyal and honest appearance that made one feel a sense of closeness at first glance.

He too was a Seventh-Rank, a Dan Xiu.

"My lord Xiang's arrival brings glory to our humble abode," the Shopkeeper said with a smile, clasping his hands and inviting the two inside: "The auction is about to begin, so I've been a bit strict here; please forgive me, my lord."

"Hahaha," Xiang Qinghuai laughed loudly: "If it weren't this time, I wouldn't have come. What good treasures are in this auction? Bring them out for my brother to see first."

The Shopkeeper showed a look of difficulty: "My lord, this goes against the rules..."

Xiang Qinghuai chuckled: "Is my, Xiang Qinghuai's, face not enough for Mingcheng Xuan to break the rules once? Then is the face of the Commander enough? Do I really need to invite the Commander here?"

"You..." The Shopkeeper was speechless; how dare he truly ask Ma Tianshou to come in person?

"Very well, but the three of you must absolutely not tell anyone else."

"Rest assured, no one else will know."

The Shopkeeper led them up to the third floor, where a Sixth-Rank Shen Xiu was stationed!

Four Yin Soldiers silently concealed themselves within the pillars at the four corners of the room.

Inside the room was also a Sixth-Rank crafted object, an iron cabinet one person tall, in which all the treasures for this auction were stored.

After a series of complex operations, the Shopkeeper opened the iron cabinet: "Please, gentlemen, take a look."

Xu Yuan stepped forward to look and nodded inwardly; inside were three Sixth-Rank materials, one Fifth-Rank crafted object, one Fifth-Rank calligraphy scroll, and six Fifth-Rank Longzhu Waidan!

Xu Yuan studied carefully; among the Fifth-Rank Longzhu Waidan, there was one "Gui Dan."

Inside it was sealed a Six-Eyed Eyed Minge.

The so-called six eyes refer to, besides the original two eyes, a large and a small eye-like pattern on each wing.

In the two eyes on its body, it can hide twenty Seventh-Rank or lower little ghosts.

In the two small eyes on the wings, it can hide two Sixth-Rank great ghosts.

In the two large eyes on the wings, it can hide two Fifth-Rank great ghosts.

Xu Yuan thought to himself that with this thing, he could directly capture Zhang Laoya without needing to ask Uncle Mao Si for help.

After all, Uncle Mao Si still has to return to Hegong Lane.

Moreover, the value of this thing is above dog-head gold; with my added business acumen, I can barely afford to buy it.

But Xu Yuan did not act rashly; instead, he asked the Shopkeeper: "Does your shop have any difficulties recently?"

The Shopkeeper's eyes lit up: "There really are some troublesome matters; I wonder if several lords can help."

"Please speak, Shopkeeper."

"We have a ship of cargo that was detained by the Canal Office the day before yesterday; I wonder if several lords can help retrieve it?"

Xiang Qinghuai's expression changed; he secretly signaled Xu Yuan with his eyes.

Xu Yuan pretended not to see it and continued asking the Shopkeeper: "I wonder what is on the ship and what is its value?"

"We have always been on this route; it is not the first time. Previously, everything went smoothly, but this recent time it was detained; I fear there are some problems within Shanhe." The Shopkeeper spoke evasively, not saying what was actually on the ship: "As for the value..."

The Shopkeeper tapped the iron cabinet: "It is enough to buy any single item in here."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and asked again: "When does the auction begin?"

"In two days."

Xu Yuan thought to himself, that is to say, I still have two days to resolve the matter of this ship.

Otherwise, I will miss this Six-Eyed Eyed Minge Gui Dan.

Xu Yuan then said: "Shopkeeper, allow me to consider it."

The Shopkeeper smiled, clasped his hands, and sent the three out: "Very well, three lords, take your time leaving."

Outside Mingcheng Xuan, Xu Yuan asked Xiang Qinghuai in a low voice: "Brother Xiang, is there a problem with this ship?"

"A huge problem!" Xiang Qinghuai pulled Xu Yuan, turned into a nearby teahouse, booked a private room, first used his technique to seal the entire room, and then said: "On the ship is a Ghost King Wang Shen!"

"Although the people on the ship are very tight-lipped, Shanhe still hasn't interrogated the truth out of them, but the destination must be Siam."

"Siam has been in constant rebellion within its borders precisely because the common people there have a 'Ghost King Society'!"

"In Siam's former beliefs, the Ghost King was a guardian deity, governing all demons and monsters in the mortal world."

"Back when our Great Ming conquered Siam, just as victory seemed imminent, eight 'Ghost King Wang Shen' suddenly appeared in Siam; as long as a believer entered a Ghost King Wang Shen with their soul, they could possess the strength of a Fourth-Rank cultivator."

"This caused our Great Ming to spend an extra ten years before completely pacifying Siam."

"However, of the eight Ghost King Wang Shen, only six were eventually found, all destroyed by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. The remaining two are whereabouts unknown."

"Now, a Ghost King Wang Shen suddenly appears on Mingcheng Xuan's ship, and it is being prepared for transport to Siam; who dares to get involved in such a matter?"

Xu Yuan was puzzled: "Mingcheng Xuan hasn't been sealed yet?"

"Because the authenticity of the Ghost King Wang Shen has not yet been finally confirmed. The simplest way to test this thing is to find someone whose soul leaves their body and钻进去 to try it—but after using a Ghost King Wang Shen, the soul will surely shatter and the person will die."

Yin Soldiers won't work; it must be a living person's soul.

So Shanhe is waiting for someone from the Northern Capital Imperial Astronomical Bureau to come; they destroyed six Ghost King Wang Shen back then, and only they have a special method to distinguish true from false."

Xiang Qinghuai patted Xu Yuan's shoulder: "Don't think about Mingcheng Xuan anymore; everyone who has seen that Ghost King Wang Shen says it is eighty percent real. I originally thought Mingcheng Xuan was about to fall and brought you here to pick up a bargain, but it seems they are not ready to accept their fate yet."

The three went to the second shop marked out by Xiang Qinghuai.

This one had a very direct name: Tan Family High-Grade Goods Shop.

Inside, there was only the owner himself.

He turned out to be a sixth-rank Dan Xiu!

His left eye had been replaced with an Outer Pill.

Inside it, a small snake seemed to coil, its scales emitting a faint Jin Guang.

The shop held only one shelf, displaying seven items.

All were of sixth-rank and fifth-rank quality!

"I have no cheap goods here," the owner introduced proudly.

Xu Yuan took a liking to two of them, but after discussing with the owner, the owner still proudly stated: "There are no troubles here; I need no one's help."

Xu Yuan came out, half laughing and half crying.

By the end of the morning, the entire Qianjin Fang had been toured.

Other shops had a few suitable items, but none presented any difficulties, and coincidentally, they were exactly the kind Xu Yuan could solve.

In the afternoon, Xiang Qinghuai took Xu Yuan to Five Lanes again.

It yielded even less.

Xu Yuan sighed inwardly; condensing Law-Objects was truly difficult.

No wonder the Middle Three Ranks are a heavenly chasm!

At dusk, returning to Southern Jiaozhi Southern Office, Ma Tianshou sent someone to summon Xu Yuan.

"I heard you have faced much frustration these past two days. This official has good news for you: the item exchanged for that 'Old Ghost Yin Qi' has returned," Ma Tianshou said with a smile.

Xu Yuan's mood improved somewhat: "Oh, excellent. What has my lord prepared for this humble one?"

Ma Tianshou tossed over a box: "Look at it when you return."

Xu Yuan was full of confusion, but still followed the Old Lord's instructions, returned to his quarters, closed the doors and windows, and only then opened the box.

Inside the box was only a small booklet, on the cover three vigorous and powerful large characters:

Dragon Form Art.

Xu Yuan suddenly felt a pang of guilt...

This was a "combat method" for a Wu Xiu.

It contained only combat methods, no cultivation technique.

Every move and posture within imitated the dragon's stance.

Although it contained only combat methods, the techniques were grand and majestic, with extraordinary subtlety in the details.

This combat method could fully unleash the various advantages of Xu Yuan's powerful body after he cultivated the "Dragon Transformation Method"!

And while Xu Yuan could not reveal the "Dragon Transformation Method" in public, he could use this set of combat methods!

Did the Old Lord know something?

Xu Yuan thought for a moment; the Old Lord would surely cover for him.

So he attempted to practice a few moves inside the room.

"This school of Wu Xiu... has quite a formidable background."

Xu Yuan immediately realized: "This set of combat methods is clearly imitating all the various stances of the dragon."

"One who has never seen a dragon with their own eyes could not create such a thing."

"That is to say..."

Throughout Zhengzhou's history, many martial arts were developed by imitating the stances and force generation of various animals.

But previously, those martial techniques named with "Dragon and Tiger" actually observed snakes.

Xu Yuan practiced this combat method once and felt it was too suitable; every part of his body felt an indescribable sense of ease.

Before, he always felt the power within his body seemed unable to be fully unleashed for some reason.

Now that problem was gone.

The gloom of two consecutive days was swept away; Xu Yuan was so happy he wanted to let out a long roar.

In the future, this official can also pretend to be a domineering Wu Xiu.

When I return, I'll use the excuse of "sparring" to beat that dog Old Qin to a pulp!

That rascal, day after day, with this "Main Wife" and that "Concubine," is ruining this official's reputation!

Xu Yuan, alone in his room, accidentally practiced so long he missed dinner.

Coming to his senses and looking outside, the sky was pitch black.

Xu Yuan felt guilty again.

This was clearly something the Old Lord had specifically ordered others not to disturb him about, which is why Lang Xiao Ba didn't come to call him for dinner...

"Gurgle-gurgle..." his stomach made an ungrateful noise.

Xu Yuan pouted, checked what he had on his person, and casually "fed" himself a few pieces to deceive his stomach.

The Lady's several subordinates were very experienced.

They did not make a move to grab the tongue during the day.

This was, after all, the territory of the Purification Bureau.

Missing even one person would be discovered quickly.

So they waited until dusk, until the Captains finished their shifts and left the Nancheng Patrol Houses in twos and threes, only then secretly following them.

In this way, they would have a whole night.

Before nightfall, they returned to the inn with the soul of a Double-Badge Captain.

Under soul interrogation, no secret could be kept.

The Lady learned that before Zhang Laoya went missing, he had stayed for over a month in the Nancheng Patrol Station.

"This is somewhat troublesome..." the Lady murmured to herself: "A patrol inspector from the Purification Bureau, and one highly valued by Ma Tianshou."

"An inspector is nothing; Ma Tianshou is the difficult one to handle."

Several guards stood solemnly aside, daring not to interrupt.

The Lady suddenly let out a charming laugh, her beauty unparalleled: "It matters not. Capture him, interrogate him for the whereabouts of the Cocoon-Eaters, then throw him into Little Yu Shan to feed those evil spirits."

"If Ma Tianshou wants to investigate, let him face those evil spirits in Little Yu Shan first."

The guards did not feel this arrangement was improper.

Ma Tianshou was indeed tricky, but he only made them slightly wary.

They had dealt with officials of the same rank before.

Even if the imperial court launched a thorough investigation, would it not ultimately become a cold case with no head?

"Go again, reposition the corpse, and have it discovered by morning."

"Yes."

The guard received the order and left.

The corpse they had handled would not have been discovered for three days.

The guard silently groaned in bitterness.

This Double-Badge Captain's body had been cut into many pieces and scattered into wells, tree hollows, and dark ditches where yin energy was obviously extremely strong.

By now... those evil spirits had probably already started eating.

They could only drive away the evil spirits and then piece together the mutilated corpse.

The corpse of Double-Badge Captain Duan He was discovered by neighbors early the next morning.

Everyone in the Zhan City Purification Bureau was filled with righteous indignation and united hatred!

Several patrol inspectors had arrived.

Even He Youxing and Xie Qingman came to take a look.

He Youxing asked, "Is this Xu Yuan's subordinate? Where is he?"

Jia Yi and the others could no longer hide it and quietly reported to the Lord of Discipline.

"Hmph!" He Youxing let out an angry snort.

One of his own inspectors left Zhan City suddenly without even requesting leave from him!

He was treating this Lord of Discipline with far too little respect.

But if Xu Yuan went to Luocheng, he would surely meet Ma Tianshou.

If he went to demand accountability, Ma Tianshou would protect him...

He Youxing felt that serving as Lord of Discipline was truly tasteless.

"Enough," He Youxing declared: "Everyone return to duty. Fu Jingyu, you lead the investigation of this case!"

The surrounding Captains did not move.

He Youxing scanned the crowd but found that among the hundred present, every face bore intense anger.

This anger was not directed at the absent Xu Yuan, but at the murderer.

He Youxing frowned: When had the Purification Bureau developed such strong cohesion?

People in the Purification Bureau died often; this job was dangerous.

But in the past, when colleagues died, they never showed such fury.

He Youxing vaguely felt that the Zhan City Office had become vastly different from other places, and even from the past.

"Is it because of that young man surnamed Xu?"

Since Xu Yuan arrived, the case-solving rate soared while the casualty rate plummeted.

Moreover, in several "clashes" with the Shanhe Office, they had consistently held the upper hand.

Cohesion had been gathered bit by bit in this manner.

Now, hearing that "one of their own" had been harmed, everyone in the Purification Bureau was consumed by rage.

Instead of being numb as before.

He Youxing and Xie Qingman left.

Recently, the two had been getting along well.

He Youxing said quietly to Xie Qingman, "It was most likely done by the evil spirits in the city. I said long ago that that night's reckless city-wide arrest would surely invite retaliation from the evil spirits..."

Xie Qingman nodded in deep agreement.

Xu Yuan bid farewell to Ma Tianshou early in the morning.

He had already been out for two days. Since there was no immediate opportunity to gather the Law-Condensing Artifact in Luocheng, he must return first to find another way.

Ma Tianshou did not mention the Dragon Form Art at all, and Xu Yuan naturally would not bring it up either.

"Return and serve your duty diligently," Ma Tianshou revealed some information: "He Youxing has already been active; after the New Year, he should be leaving.

Your merit and capability are sufficient; you are simply too young.

I will try to find a way to get you to take his position."

Xu Yuan found it hard to believe: "Can it be done?"

"At most..." the Old Lord estimated: "a fifty percent chance. However, the position of Deputy Lord of Discipline is certain; return and prepare early."

"Thank you, my lord!"

The Law Enforcer's bonus to cultivation far exceeds that of the Patrol Inspector.

"Very well, go."

Xu Yuan was about to leave when he suddenly stopped, struck by a sudden inspiration: "My lord, is there a trusted great family willing to sponsor a Fate Cultivator?"

Ma Tianshou instantly understood, a gleam flashing in his eyes: "This is an excellent plan! Do not leave yet; I shall contact the Fu and Song families immediately!"

Your Dan Xiu is already at the Sixth Rank; if your Commerce Law can also reach the Sixth Rank, your chances of succeeding He Youxing will exceed seventy percent."

Ma Tianshou immediately postponed today's official duties and personally went to negotiate with the two families on Xu Yuan's behalf.

Both families' main branches are in Zhengzhou, but they have operated in Southern Jiaozhi for many years, and there are decision-makers within Luocheng.

Currently, neither family has a Fate Cultivator.

At noon, the Old Lord returned with good news: "Both families are willing to cooperate."

They will prepare an item suitable for you, which you will purchase with a nugget of dog-head gold.

Then, using the dog-head gold as a betrothal gift, they will hire you as an Elder of their household.

Of course, you need not do anything for now, and such an employment imposes no strong constraints on you.

Once you reach the Fifth Rank in the future, you simply repay this favor when they need your help."

This transaction is very fair.

It is sufficient to meet the requirement for condensing a Law Artifact.

Xu Yuan breathed a long sigh of relief; it was finally going to succeed.

Just then, Xiang Qinghuai rushed in quickly: "Brother Xu, an urgent report has arrived from Champa; a Captain under your command was murdered last night!"

Xu Yuan had just relaxed, but immediately his eyes narrowed in anger: "Who did it!"

The messenger was Zhou Leizi.

He followed Xiang Qinghuai inside: "My lord, this case has no leads at present; without you, everyone lacks a leader!"

Xu Yuan rose to leave, but Ma Tianshou held him down, speaking steadily: "Condense the Law Artifact first!"

(End of Chapter)