Chapter 334: Filthy Taishui (Three-in-One)

The dragon's appearance was miserable.

Its entire tail was gone.

The Tiger-Head Cleaver of the Canal Office had severed it.

Scars covered its body from head to toe; its single horn was broken, and half its scales were missing.

It lay in a "field ridge" within its village.

The village had many such field ridges, originally dug for the dragon.

Water was diverted in, the depth just enough to submerge the dragon's body; the muddy water was turbid, so as long as the dragon remained motionless beneath, even outsiders passing by would not notice.

Lord Xu grinned coldly and mocked, "Why no longer hide from this lord?"

The dragon showed a bitter smile.

"It is not that I wish to hide from you, but the task this time must be kept secret; before it is accomplished, I cannot contact anyone, lest I be tainted by their scent..."

While listening to its explanation, Xu Yuan examined the wounds on its body, suddenly his pupils dilated, and he rushed to the dragon's side.

"You—" Xu Yuan was somewhat startled and doubtful: "Your wounds are healing?"

A hint of pride appeared in the dragon's eyes: "You noticed?"

Xu Yuan, unable to believe it, reached out and gently touched several of the wounds on its body.

The current "healing" was different from the dragon's previous "restoration" after its body was injured.

Before, it was the power of evil spirits directly repairing the damaged body.

Because it was already dead.

No matter how many methods Tian Jing used, dead was dead.

After the body was injured, it was not self-healing, but rather flesh buds wriggled out and re-entangled with each other.

But this time, the body had fully regained vitality; these wounds were slowly "healing" through its own vitality.

The speed was much slower than the previous "restoration."

Yet the meaning it represented could not be compared.

This meant the dragon had successfully taken another big step toward true "resurrection."

"Is this... the purpose of your coming out this time?" Xu Yuan asked.

The dragon nodded: "We arrived at Guanghuo Street, became familiar with those great evil spirits, and after paying an extremely high price, bought a piece of news from one of them.

Hidden in this section of the canal at Little Yu Shan is a Filthy Taishui; if consumed, the flesh and body can be reborn anew.

Once this thing sinks into the river water, it transforms into an invisible, intangible mass of filth, completely merging into the river, beyond anyone's grasp.

Occasionally, it surfaces to bask in the sun in some shallow bays along the river.

Especially before and after the Day of Forbidden Gaze, its activity becomes frequent.

Normally, it does not emerge from the water once in ten days or half a month, but before and after the Day of Forbidden Gaze, it comes out every day.

But that thing is extremely alert, especially sensitive to scents.

If anything is slightly amiss, it will immediately dissipate.

So I tried every means, bought several more items on Guanghuo Street, to completely conceal myself.

I dared not see you—because at that time, I had already hidden near some of the river bays where that thing often appears.

Had I seen you, my body would surely have been tainted by your scent.

Deliberately distancing myself from Bai Laoyan earlier was to dispel the suspicions of those great evil spirits on Guanghuo Street.

They did not trust Bai Laoyan.

Only then did they sell me the news about the Filthy Taishui and the items for concealing oneself."

Xu Yuan looked at it in confusion; although the dragon was severely injured, it was slowly recovering on its own, seeming to need no help from him.

"You asked the village head to summon me because..."

The dragon smiled embarrassedly: "Too much money was spent; originally, your share... was also spent."

Xu Yuan: "Hmm?"

"Do not worry," the dragon hurriedly said. "I invited you here to tell you personally; I will definitely repay this sum. Once I recover and return, within a year... no, within half a year, I will definitely repay it all!"

Xu Yuan nodded reluctantly: "I will calculate the interest at the lowest rate for you."

The dragon nodded: "Thank you!"

Xu Yuan circled it a few more times and said, "After this state heals, can you fully resurrect?"

The dragon's expression darkened; it shook its head: "Not yet. Actually..."

It hesitated for a moment, then spoke frankly to Xu Yuan: "This path does not work."

"What do you mean?"

"Even now, with evil spirits everywhere, some great rules of the mortal world still cannot be defied. I am already dead; that means I am dead.

If I had eaten the Filthy Taishui back then, and my soul re-entered the body, perhaps there would have been a glimmer of hope.

But over a hundred years have passed; true resurrection is simply impossible."

Xu Yuan was puzzled again: "Since it still won't work, why are you so joyful?"

"The Filthy Taishui gave me another line of thought; I am still deducing whether this method is feasible." The dragon looked straight at my lord and said, "With the Filthy Taishui's ability, it condensed the last vitality of this body and invested it into an embryonic egg.

Then my soul would walk the Yellow Springs Road and return to be reborn within this embryonic egg.

This could also be considered another form of rebirth."

Xu Yuan nodded; this method resembled the legendary "military dissolution and re-cultivation" from centuries ago.

Yet there were still many difficulties.

How easy is the Yellow Springs Road to traverse?

Even if you broke through, if you wish to be reborn into an embryonic egg, can you simply be reborn?

The Underworld has its own rules.

With the dragon's merit, it might very well be reborn into a noble family in the next life, enjoying a lifetime of glory and wealth.

"If you succeed, I, this official, will naturally lend you a hand."

The dragon quietly sighed with relief; the business it partnered with Xu Yuan on was extremely important for Xu Yuan's cultivation of the "Merchant Arts."

If they followed the method just described, once it hatched from the egg, it would need to slowly re-cultivate, a process requiring time counted in centuries.

Xu Yuan's business on Guanghuo Street would then come to an end.

Moreover, for a long time after hatching, it would still need Xu Yuan's protection.

Tian Jing alone would likely be insufficient.

When Xu Yuan said he would lend a hand, it meant he was not only willing to help him be reborn, but also willing to provide this protection.

For Xu Yuan, doing so could be said to bring no benefit at all.

Even looking at it from a long-term perspective, once he returned to his peak, it seemed he could then offer Lord Xu a greater return.

But first, Lord Xu might not have such a long lifespan to wait until that time.

Second, his ultimate goal remained to transform into a dragon.

This naturally placed him in opposition to the Canal Dragon King.

And the Canal Dragon King's power and status in the Imperial Ming need no elaboration, so Xu Yuan would not be someone looking to make a long-term investment of favor.

Even the partnership business on Guanghuo Street, which seemed to give Lord Xu the upper hand, actually meant that in the long run, Lord Xu would need to find sources of goods outside the mountain for the dragon and ensure the safety of the mountain's transport routes.

He had advanced in the Merchant Arts, but he was also genuinely helping him.

The dragon then understood why Lord Xu had been so displeased when he had been hiding from him before.

Thus, the dragon said sincerely, "I cannot repay such great kindness and virtue; if Lord has any tasks during this time, please feel free to give orders."

Xu Yuan was not polite, so he spoke of the matter of the True Seed, then said, "I will go to Ghost Wushan soon; if you can make it back in time, help me inquire on Guanghuo Street which great evil spirit cultivated this True Seed."

The dragon, however, showed a look of confusion: "Is Lord's information reliable?"

"Hmm?"

"I happened to pass by Pig Cry Rock on this outing; I did not see any Magpie Tree, nor did I see any strange phenomena near Pig Cry Rock."

"None?!" Xu Yuan was surprised; his first thought was that someone had gotten there first? Or that the great evil spirit had already harvested the True Seed?

But recalling the time Miao Yu mentioned—when the dragon came out, the Magpie Tree should still have been there.

Something unknown must have gone wrong in between.

But Xu Yuan still decided: "I must go see it personally."

The dragon nodded and said, "I will set out tomorrow to return and investigate secretly."

"Your injuries?"

"Nothing serious," the dragon said. "I have completely refined the Filthy Taishui; recovery will be fast from now on."

"Very well, wait for me tomorrow; I will prepare a craft item convenient for us to contact each other."

"Good."

Xu Yuan then parted with the dragon and returned to Zhan City.

It was a pity the stepmother was not there; otherwise, he could have asked her directly to help forge one.

Now he would have to think of another way.

Xu Yuan returned to the Nancheng Patrol Station; sure enough, Third Sister and the others were all there.

The crooked Miao had returned and was waiting for Lord.

He presented a ledger: "Lord, Shen Qingpeng's entire estate has been registered. I have exchanged the silver for banknotes and, together with the deeds to the other properties, packed them in boxes and placed them in your room."

"Good." Xu Yuan did not look closely, first setting it aside, then beckoned Miao Yan to come closer and asked in a low voice: "Does the Pingtian Society have any hidden branches in the city?"

Miao Yan's eyes lit up, but he did not ask further and honestly replied: "Yes, I have always had people secretly watching them; they have a three-courtyard large mansion in the east of the city."

Xu Yuan nodded and said, "Tonight, you will lead the way."

Miao Yan was overjoyed: "Lord, my subordinates also have dozens of brothers who dare to fight!"

Xu Yuan waved his hand: "No need; tonight is an action by the Filth-Exorcising Bureau, and we have a righteous cause."

The Pingtian Society was banned in Zhan City; you are still infiltrating secretly, so attacking you is justified!

Afterwards, Xu Yuan summoned Jia Yi and the other inspectors, ordering them to concentrate all the Captains under their command.

This time, besides Jia Yi and Di Youzhi, Xu Yuan also prepared to take Seeing Fu Jingyu and Qu Shengqian.

Previously, Xu Yuan had ordered the recruitment of new people, gathering two teams and assigning them to the two men.

Compared to the veteran squad of the Nancheng Patrol Station, the quality of these two teams was naturally inferior.

Just right; tonight's Pingtian Society is a soft persimmon, suitable for them to practice on.

"Di Youzhi," Xu Yuan called his name: "You go to the office and invite Inspector Shi and the others to act together."

Di Youzhi immediately said happily: "This subordinate understands; this subordinate will go right now."

A small Pingtian Society; for the Filth-Exorcising Bureau to attack it is a piece of cake.

Inviting Shi Bading and the others was to share the merit with them.

The merit is not great, but there will inevitably be opportunities to gain benefits during the action.

Before Di Youzhi advanced to the Seventh Rank, relying on Lord Xu's favor, he asked Shi Bading to help withdraw many swords and knives from the government treasury.

This time, specifically sending Di Youzhi to notify Shi Bading was to let Di Youzhi repay this favor.

When the sky was nearly dark, Shi Bading arrived with Wan Yun.

When Shi Bading came, he conveniently brought dinner for everyone.

The food was ordered directly from a restaurant near the Zhan City office; a table with eight meat dishes and four vegetable dishes, a standard not low.

Inspector Shi also knows how to be a person.

While the Captains were eating, Shi Bading quietly told Xu Yuan, "I called Sang Yizi, and she said she would stay behind at the office."

Xu Yuan nodded.

He was not familiar with Sang Yizi to begin with.

"Is she preparing to leave with He Youxing?"

Shi Bading nodded.

Xu Yuan did not care about this.

If he truly was promoted to Master of Law, there would be four Inspector positions in Zhan City.

At most, one more could be added.

Shi Bading and Wan Yun were already Inspectors; one could not possibly demote them.

Among the remaining spots, Fu Jingyu would certainly occupy one.

Di Youzhi, Jia Yi, Mao Dabin, and Qin Ze were not enough to fill the rest.

Sang Yizi's unwillingness to pledge allegiance was actually a good thing.

After eating and drinking their fill, it grew dark.

After waiting a while longer, Xu Yuan waved his hand: "Depart!"

This time, My Lord Xu was more cautious.

He went to the nest personally to catch Dafu out.

Dafu looked utterly bewildered: What are you doing? I was preparing to sleep.

Xu Yuan let Miao Yan lead the way, and Dafu followed beside Miao Yan.

But Dafu was full of complaints, walking a winding path in a daze, and veering off course every now and then.

Miao Yan dared not scold My Lord's pet.

Xu Yuan reached out, and a beast-tendon rope flew out, binding around Dafu's neck.

Dafu angrily flapped its wings, quacking in protest.

Xu Yuan ignored it: "Be obedient! Do a good job tonight, and tomorrow I will buy you ten heads of cabbage."

"Quack! Quack! Quack!" Dafu grew even angrier.

You, my feeder, put no thought into feeding me at all!

When have you ever seen me eat vegetables?

Xu Yuan patted its head: "You don't like eating cabbage?"

Lang Xiao Ba quietly advised My Lord from the side: "My Lord, Dafu seems to like eating insects."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow I will go to the Canal Office to check. How about those golden strange insects on the body of the Ghost King Wang Shen last time? If they still have them, I will get some for you."

Dafu's neck straightened up with a *biu*.

It was no longer sleepy.

Drool flowed down from both sides of its flat beak.

That night I wanted to eat them, but I didn't dare go up.

Thus, Dafu, having received the promise, forced its spirit up and followed Miao Yan seriously.

Xu Yuan smiled inwardly; it was still easy to fool.

This Lord made no guarantee that I could definitely get them for you. The Canal Office beheaded the Ghost King Wang Shen; those golden strange insects were likely burned clean with a single fire long ago.

In a courtyard in the Dongcheng, the largest hall had been arranged into an altar.

Upon it was enshrined their "Great Sage Who Levels Heaven."

Ox head, human body, eight arms, four feet.

Its face was fierce, with two snakes coiled around its neck, and a circle of white bone skulls hanging at its waist.

By any look, it was not a benevolent god.

The sacrificial offerings placed below the altar were also things like internal organs, eyeballs, and human skin.

The smell of blood was pungent.

Only core members of the sect were allowed to enter here.

Those newly initiated were usually arranged in other rooms.

Before dark, the Helmsman knelt and bowed carefully beneath the statue, presenting a new sacrificial offering.

The offering came from a beggar in the city.

The Great Sage Who Levels Heaven Society usually pretended to do good deeds, luring these beggars in and feeding and housing them well for a few days.

Afterwards, these beggars would disappear.

They claimed externally that they were sent to Luocheng to work, and the wages were not low; after working for five years, they could save enough money to return to a village near Zhan City, immediately get a good plot of land, and build a house.

After the worship was finished, the Helmsman walked to the backyard.

The backyard was locked, with two core members holding knives to guard it.

The beggars who were led in, as well as some stubborn poor members who insisted on going to Luocheng to "work" with the beggars, were all locked up here.

The Helmsman lifted a wooden bucket from a small dark room.

He walked to the base of the backyard wall.

In a room nearby, a Rank Dan Xiu of the eighth tier stood guard.

Through the window, the Rank Dan Xiu nodded and threw the key out.

The Helmsman reached out and caught it, opening an iron plate at the base of the wall.

Below was a sewer, connecting to the drainage ditch outside.

When unlocking the lock, a strange rustling sound came from the sewer.

After lifting the iron plate, the helmsman stepped back.

Several scarlet long tongues shot up from beneath the sewer.

They whirled rapidly through the air, as if trying to snatch something.

After the helmsman dodged, he waited a moment; another strange churning sound rose from the sewer, then silence fell.

The helmsman hooked out a human hand from the bucket and tossed it down.

Before it even hit the water, it sparked a struggle among the evils below.

The bucket contained the remnants left over after the sacrificial offerings for Pingtian Dasheng.

The helmsman pulled out pieces one by one and tossed them down.

Finally, he poured all the blood and minced flesh from the bucket down.

"Keep a sharp watch on the surroundings."

"There will be more tomorrow."

The evils below hissed, as if in agreement, or perhaps still unsatisfied.

The helmsman covered the iron plate and locked it, returning the key to the Eighth-Flow Dan Xiu.

"Too cautious," the Dan Xiu grumbled.

"Better to prepare more—if the Purification Office spots us again, we can escape," the helmsman asked: "Have you checked the secret passage?"

"I check it every day."

"Good."

The helmsman turned and left.

After the last time the Chengcheng branch was destroyed, the Pingtian Society grew even more cautious.

By feeding these evils, they scatter around the secret branch at night; any whisper or movement will draw them out immediately.

They can both help defend the Pingtian Society and serve as an alarm.

The helmsman returned to his quarters in the front courtyard, opened the door, and found four beautiful women waiting inside.

These were deceived society members who had willingly offered themselves.

Two had even been brought in by their own husbands.

The helmsman laughed loudly and opened his arms: "My beauties, I'm here—"

……

Xu Yuan forcibly dragged Da Fu out because he noticed this fellow, like Ah Hua, had a natural intimidation and suppression over minor evils.

At night, if those minor evils kept jumping out to harass along the way, it would become unbearable.

If they accidentally alerted the Pingtian Society, all previous efforts would be wasted.

Master Xu did not know that his goose's nest now held many skins of evils.

Da Fu was no longer the Ah Fu of Shanhé County.

It spread its wings wide and charged forward fiercely.

If not for the rope around its neck, it would have outpaced Miao Yan by far.

Along the way, every minor evil that stuck its head out—oh no! What have I seen!

They immediately pulled back, then cowered in place, not daring to move.

Arriving at the eastern city, outside the three-compound mansion, a blood-sucking bat dove down.

Da Fu leapt into the air, as agile as a lynx, and snatched the bat in its beak.

After landing, it stretched its neck and swallowed it whole.

Its neck was long; one could still see the evil bulging in it, not yet dead, struggling as the bulge shifted into various shapes…

Further ahead, two rotting old rats, eyes blood-red, charged forward.

They spat two streams of poison at Da Fu together.

Da Fu flapped its wings, and wind arose.

It blew the poison aside, then pecked— one rat's head exploded.

The other, with a single stomp, crushed the rat beneath its foot.

Da Fu devoured the first rat, then pecked again—its flat beak like a chisel—killed the one underfoot, and slowly swallowed it.

No more evils emerged.

After consuming human flesh, evils grew even more frenzied.

This made them charge at Da Fu without regard for their lives.

But after three had been eaten… they were jolted awake.

Evils eat humans, so humans fear evils.

If something eats evils… then evils naturally fear it more.

The evils outside the secret branch slunk away, tails between their legs.

The Purification Office members reached the mansion's perimeter without hindrance.

Master Xu waved his hand; all forces immediately split up and surrounded the entire mansion.

The society members inside the secret branch sensed nothing.

Xu Yuan looked around and saw a row of hitching posts at the gate.

Carved from green stone, about a man's height.

Master Xu walked over and pulled one out with one hand.

Then he roared and hurled it outward.

Boom—a hole was smashed through the gate!

As my lord moved, the others drew their blades and charged in, shouting together.

What followed needed no action from Master Xu.

Shi Bading and Wan Yun, however, were eager.

They personally led their Captains inside.

If they weren't present, any rewards would likely be snatched by Master Xu's men.

Da Fu trailed behind Xu Yuan, slow and swaying, walking with the deliberate gait of an official from Huangming Zhengzhou, strolling into the branch headquarters.

Screams of battle echoed everywhere.

Several fires broke out, but they were small and quickly extinguished.

Some tried to climb over the walls, only to be captured by the Quxue Si forces outside.

The battle ended in less than half an hour.

Jia Yi had all the prisoners brought into the courtyard, lit torches to illuminate the area, and ordered them to identify one another.

Finally, Jia Yi came forward with a grim face and reported: "My lord, the boss Yao Qian is missing!"

Xu Yuan frowned and ordered: "Search again!"

The Captains rushed out again, scouring the courtyard.

Da Fu swayed toward the back courtyard.

He felt the stench of evil was strongest back there.

Xu Yuan's heart stirred—he immediately followed.

Da Fu quickly found the iron plate and pounded it with his big paw—pat-pat-pat—signaling to open it.

Lang Xiao Ba stepped forward, slashed off the lock with one stroke, and lifted the plate. Below lay darkness, and a foul stench surged forth.

The stench made Lang Xiao Ba stumble backward.

Da Fu jumped down.

But the evil spirits had long since fled—yet Da Fu tilted his head and spotted a hole…

This was the secret escape tunnel prepared by the boss and the Eighth-Rank Dan Xiu!

"Pursue!"

At Master Xu's command, Lang Xiao Ba and the others pinched their noses and jumped down.

Master Xu, of course, did not go.

While waiting, Shi Bading walked over and said to Xu Yuan: "Brother, come take a look."

He had found the small black room.

The floor was caked in blood, and inside lay half a corpse, uncut.

Qu Shengqian flew into a rage, dragged forward several prisoners, and forced them to confess—each act committed within the branch headquarters was laid bare.

Xu Yuan's face darkened; he gritted his teeth and said: "Some people simply aren't fit to live in this world!"

Suddenly, shouts came from the front gate: "We caught him!"

Xu Yuan strode toward the front courtyard.

Lang Xiao Ba had returned, dragging the bound boss and Eighth-Rank Dan Xiu.

Xu Yuan stepped forward and kicked the boss's jaw apart.

"Death is too good for him!"

(End of Chapter)