Chapter 381: How to Cultivate the

Mr. Piaodang returned to the highest stone chamber, then knelt and said, "Please, Your Majesty, punish me."

The Ancient Corpse Empress snorted coldly, "You are truly generous to those cronies!"

"The more generous I am to them, the more devoted I am to Your Majesty."

"Hmph."

This matter was thus swept under the rug.

Had Xu Yuan asked the Ancient Corpse Empress for the "Dragon Transformation Art," she would certainly have used it to hold him hostage, forcing him to produce results before granting it to him piece by piece.

That is why Xu Yuan secretly sought Mr. Piaodang's help.

Mr. Piaodang truly provided great assistance this time.

Xu Yuan's journey to Ghost Wushan involved great trouble and many costs, yet the harvest was merely a copy of the "Dragon Transformation Art."

But Xu Yuan was quite satisfied.

The portion of the Dragon Transformation Art known to the Princess Consort could only be cultivated to the fourth tier.

But for Xu Yuan, it was already sufficient.

After parting with Tian Jing, Xu Yuan returned to Champa.

He quietly swapped identities back with Lang Xiao Ba.

Afterwards, Lang Xiao Ba reported, "My lord, Lord Gao was invited away by the Princess Consort a few days ago and has not returned to this day."

Xu Yuan nodded slightly, "Understood."

Lord Xu had anticipated that Gao Wanli would return later than himself.

He was very familiar with Ghost Wushan, whereas Gao Wanli had fallen into the river and drifted who knows where; she would definitely be slower than him.

Afterwards, Lord Xu went to visit Wang Shen and his stepmother.

Lin Wanmo was still in seclusion.

She was still forging that other artifact for Lord Xu.

Seeing Xu Yuan return safely, Wang Shen quietly breathed a sigh of relief and did not ask what exactly Ah Yuan had been doing.

Lang Xiao Ba, who had arrived with Lord Xu, quietly returned the heart to Wang Shen.

Xu Yuan kept Wang Shen company for a while, then returned to his room to rest.

This journey to Ghost Wushan had also been quite draining on the spirit; Xu Yuan felt somewhat mentally exhausted.

After waking from a sleep, Xu Yuan began to study the "Dragon Transformation Art."

This art differed greatly from the methods of general spell cultivators.

Because it transforms the entire life into another form of life.

And the life form of a dragon is many levels higher than that of a human.

Xu Yuan studied the "Dragon Transformation Art" carefully several times and sighed: If viewed purely from the perspective of cultivation, the "Dragon Transformation Art" can truly be called "harder than climbing to the sky"!

Starting from entry, every single step is a transformation of life form.

It can be said that once one enters, one can no longer be considered a "human" life form.

The difficulty of that can be imagined.

Many families in Huangming cultivate the "Dragon Transformation Art"; their ability to continuously achieve success is not because their children are all geniuses.

It is because the Dragon King of the Grand Canal, besides bestowing the "Dragon Transformation Art," also provided detailed cultivation guidelines.

Detailed enough to specify how to proceed at every step and how to respond when elevating one's level.

Even various accidental situations that might arise at every step were given solutions.

Families must make ample preparations for their children's cultivation.

It can be said that every child cultivating the Dragon Transformation Art is piled up by the family through sheer manpower and resources.

Even so, there were still many failures.

Xu Yuan cannot yet be considered to have truly cultivated the "Dragon Transformation Art."

Another point is that Xu Yuan does not wish to become that kind of monster that is neither human nor dragon.

Even if one cultivates to the first tier in the end, does that make one a true dragon?

There is no answer to this in the Princess Consort's more than half of the "Dragon Transformation Art."

And Xu Yuan holds a skeptical attitude.

But if the level of the "Dragon Transformation Art" cannot be raised, there is no way to help the family.

Xu Yuan studied the "Dragon Transformation Art" carefully, hoping to find a suitable method.

There was indeed one idea: combine Fu Chongjiu's dragon pearl with the Skin Dragon.

Sink one's consciousness into the Skin Dragon.

Use the Skin Dragon as this "substitute" to cultivate the Dragon Transformation Art!

It seemed very fitting, but if it failed, the precious Skin Dragon substitute would be destroyed.

Fu Chongjiu's dragon pearl would also be destroyed.

Not to mention consuming many precious materials.

So Xu Yuan did not act rashly, but kept thinking and deducing.

By the second day, Xu Yuan first put aside the matter of the "Dragon Transformation Art" and summoned Miao Yan and Lang Xiao Ba: "How is the matter of infiltrating the Canal Gang and the Fishing Gang that I asked you to handle progressing?"

Xu Yuan had previously instructed Miao Yan to plant a few spies within the Canal Gang.

Miao Yan immediately replied, "Four people have already blended in; one of them has already become a small leader in the Canal Gang."

Lord Xu nodded, "Good. This official has some matters for you to handle."

Regarding the promise made to the Ancient Corpse Empress, Xu Yuan would not try too hard, but he must display some posture of "making progress."

Moreover, Xu Yuan had long wanted to deal with the Fishermen's Gang.

These rascals actually dared to raise and sell evil spirits!

They truly do not know how to write the character for "death."

Xu Yuan gave some instructions, and Lang Xiao Ba and Miao Yan went off to handle matters.

On his end, Xu Yuan checked that night travel was not prohibited today, then quietly waited until dusk.

And Gao Wanli still had not returned...

After night fell, Xu Yuan appeared at the Old Market of the Little West Temple.

He did not wander aimlessly, but went straight to Zhang Laoya's shop.

Zhang Laoya was sitting in the shop, legs crossed, leisurely sipping tea and smoking.

Several strange entities sat beside him.

He had newly hired a shop assistant, who was actually a clever two-faced little ghost.

The front face was a ferocious green sprout with fangs, while the back face was a comical smiling mask, very much like the "white-faced" role in opera, but even more comical.

Since he was open for business, he often showed his back face to people.

Zhang Laoya was also a person quite skilled in methods.

When he reappeared at the Old Market, some evil spirits came to provoke him, wanting to seize this property.

As a Yin Soldier, Zhang Laoya felt no fear; after a few rounds, his shop was not only not snatched away, but Zhang Laoya had actually gained a small courtyard at the western end of the Old Market.

With some renovation, it could open as a new small shop.

Zhang Laoya had never mentioned this courtyard to Xu Yuan.

Zhang Laoya, true to his merchant nature, felt this was earned by his own skill, and there was no share for Xu Yuan within it.

Yet he deliberately avoided thinking that he himself was a Yin Soldier of Lord Xu.

Even if he acquired property rivaling a nation's wealth, what use would it be?

Zhang Laoya is now a Yin Soldier; many things in the mortal world can no longer be enjoyed by him.

But his desires erupted all the same.

It was somewhat like... after a eunuch lost that part, his desire for power, wealth, and so on would suddenly swell.

Since Zhang Laoya could smoke, he bought the most expensive tobacco without regard for the price.

And the tea was also the best available at the Old Market.

He could not drink it, but he could smell the fragrance.

These costs were, of course, all counted as part of the shop's operating expenses.

Zhang Laoya usually brewed tea and smoked in the shop; when idle, the owners of several neighboring shops would come to mooch some smoke and tea.

His shop was actually quite lively often, with a very strong aura of strangeness.

Today was no different; he was smoking and chatting idly with several strange friends when he suddenly saw Lord Xu enter, quickly stood up, signaled the evil spirits with his eyes to leave immediately.

The evil spirits dived into the ground and vanished.

Xu Yuan glanced at the tobacco and tea on the table, said nothing, and simply stated: "Come with me to the back."

Zhang Laoya instructed the two-faced ghost to watch the business, then immediately followed Xu Yuan to the side room at the rear.

Xu Yuan got straight to the point and asked: "Does the shop have any dragon-attribute materials?"

Zhang Laoya was stunned; he instinctively wanted to ask what you intended to do with such materials, but was forced back by Xu Yuan's gaze, so he swallowed his question.

"No, our procurement depends on you," Zhang Laoya said.

You know perfectly well what materials are in the shop.

Xu Yuan then asked again: "Can it be bought at this Old Market?"

Zhang Laoya thought for a moment: "I heard the Yin-Yang Shop recently received a shipment; I will go ask."

"I will wait for you."

Zhang Laoya left.

Upon hearing it was the Yin-Yang Shop, Xu Yuan did not wish to appear in person.

Last time he offended them severely; the Yin-Yang Python likely would not be pleased to see him.

Zhang Laoya moved quickly; in no time he returned, saying: "There really is one; it is the shell of an old turtle that has already grown dragon horns."

"Buy it."

That old turtle was already a fifth-tier evil spirit; this material was not cheap, but since Xu Yuan had spoken, Zhang Laoya had no choice but to buy it, the money spending causing him a pang of heartache.

Xu Yuan picked out several materials and craft items he had gathered recently that he himself could not use, and gave them all to Zhang Laoya: "Put them up for sale in the shop."

With new stock, Zhang Laoya's spirits lifted: "Excellent."

Xu Yuan then took that turtle shell and left the Old Market of the Little West Temple.

He had found a dragon-attribute material, but Xu Yuan had not yet made up his mind to use the skin dragon to cultivate the "Dragon Transformation Method."

After returning to the government office, Xu Yuan slept for half the night; at dawn he rose and took out the "Dragon Transformation Method" to study it carefully again.

In a flash it was noon; Xu Yuan came out to eat and asked casually: "Has Gao Wanli returned?"

"Not yet."

Xu Yuan's heart began to murmur; could Gao Wanli have died inside Ghost Wushan?

She is, after all, a respectable sixth-tier!

Her capability is right there; only then did Xu Yuan feel safe letting her return alone.

If she truly died inside Ghost Wushan, Tian Jing's performance would have been in vain.

By mid-afternoon, Yu Yunhang suddenly came to report: "My lord, Vice Adjudicator Gao has returned. However..."

Yu Yunhang suppressed his laughter, hesitating to speak further.

"What's wrong? Speak up."

"She wrapped herself up tightly; it seems she has no face to show anyone," Yu Yunhang said with no filter.

Xu Yuan quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

It is good that Gao Wanli has returned.

If she truly had not returned, then no one would have brought the news back to the Wang Fu that the murderer of the Heir Consort was a fiend from the Bronze Coffin Cliff.

The Wang Fu would not have sent people to take revenge, to trouble the Ancient Corpse Empress, thereby leaving the Ancient Corpse Empress no time to attend to himself.

Nor would anyone have told the Fu family that the one practicing the Dragon Transformation Method was not him, Lord Xu...

Xu Yuan then went out to find Gao Wanli, preparing to feign concern, but actually wanting to figure out why she had returned so late.

Gao Wanli looked gloomy all over.

Her clothes were wrapped tightly, and she wore a veil hat on her head, with a circle of black gauze hanging down around the brim, rather than the common white gauze.

White gauze could not block the face; others could still vaguely see through it.

Gao Wanli was extremely aggrieved.

She had fallen into the river, gnawed upon by those wronged souls and fierce ghosts, with scars covering her entire body, including her face.

Her entire face was ruined.

She was not beautiful to begin with; now she was even more unwatchable.

She had wandered around in Ghost Wushan for several days, getting lost many times.

She could not even remember how many times she had been attacked by fiends in between.

Those fiends were not all greedy for flesh and blood; their methods were strange and bizarre.

Gao Wanli's soul had had a piece permanently licked away by a strange tongue hanging down from mid-air.

Yet Gao Wanli never understood from start to finish where that strange tongue had come from!

It appeared out of thin air in mid-sky, then shrank back into nothingness!

Her two feet had been turned into two pig's feet by a monkey wearing bright and gorgeous burial clothes.

Her body had also been infected with a strange wasting disease.

She had barely managed to get out of the mountains, found the official road, stopped a caravan, and wanted to hitch a ride back to Champa.

As a result, she scared the caravan into fleeing for their lives.

"Fiends from the mountains have come down, run quickly—"

Gao Wanli, furious, took out a small iron-skin frog artifact, wound the key, and threw it.

The iron-skin frog leaped over ten zhang, caught up with the caravan, and opened its mouth—this opening projected a five-zhang-wide mouth in mid-air!

Iron teeth gleamed!

With a crack, it bit a carriage and everyone on it in half.

Fresh blood sprayed.

Those unlucky merchants, with their bodies bitten off, were like those beheaded at the waist; they screamed in painful agony but did not die immediately.

After the iron-skin frog wiped out the caravan, Gao Wanli finally vented her anger.

She very satisfiedly took the iron-skin frog back.

This thing was the first Western creation she had encountered back then; she liked it very much.

It was also the first artifact she had personally forged after becoming an Artificer Cultivator.

She felt it was better than all the artifacts of the old Artificers in the Great Ming!

The iron-skin frog's nostrils kept inhaling, sucking the wronged souls of everyone after they were killed into its own body.

This was the "cost of use" for the iron-skin frog.

Afterwards, Gao Wanli picked a horse and rode back to Champa.

She did not dare return directly to the government office; instead, she first went to find her subordinates, took a bath, changed clothes, and wrapped her whole body tightly.

Then she wrote a secret letter, had her subordinates send it out with all speed, and only then returned to the office.

That secret letter was, of course, a report upward regarding the deaths of the Heir Consort and the Seventeenth Uncle.

Gao Wanli must do everything to solidify the fact: the murderer was hiding in Ghost Wushan, and was precisely that thief who had secretly practiced the Dragon Transformation Method.

Because if she could not make the Wang Fu and the Fu family believe this, then the suspicion on her would skyrocket.

A large group entered Ghost Wushan together, yet only you returned alive?

Your strength might not be enough to kill the Heir Consort and the Seventeenth Uncle, but who knows if you conspired with the fiends in the mountains?

Perhaps even your family, the Gao family, supported you behind the scenes!

Gao Wanli, of course, did not know that this was precisely the situation Lord Xu wanted to create.

"Lord Gao..." Xu Yuan's voice sounded outside the door.

Gao Wanli was sitting in her room, staring blankly into space.

This incident... was too big!

Gao Wanli always felt she would not easily clear her name.

Now she did not even have the mood to hate Xu Yuan.

Her mind was full of thoughts about Ghost Wushan.

"Lord Xu, please come in."

Xu Yuan entered, saw Gao Wanli's appearance, and almost could not hold back his laughter.

"Lord Gao, you disappeared without a word for several days; you must give the office an explanation, must you not?"

Gao Wanli was in an extremely foul mood, yet this Xu dog came straight out to question her.

Gao Wanli wanted to curse back on the spot: What the hell does it matter to you!

But then she thought... her current situation was difficult; forget it, no need to make more enemies.

Gao Wanli said in a deep voice: "The Princess Consort summoned me and ordered me to accompany her... some secrets are inconvenient to reveal, Lord Xu need not ask further; you will know soon enough."

Xu Yuan snorted coldly, swept his sleeve, and left.

He had already figured out why this woman had returned so late.

Although she was wrapped up tightly, some injuries could not be hidden.

Although Gao Wanli was only of the sixth rank, as a scion of such a great surname and noble family, she had been pampered since childhood and had never entered any uncivilized land alone.

Alone in Ghost Wushan, she suffered greatly.

Eat well; eat even more next time.

When Lord Xu went out, he walked with a strutting gait, happily returning to continue studying the Dragon Transformation Art.

But Fu Jingyu came looking for him and earnestly advised Lord Xu: "The official documents in the yamen should be reviewed by you personally; you cannot leave them all for me to handle."

Fu Jingyu should have been on patrol at the Nancheng station, but during this period he had been dragged into the yamen by Xu Yuan.

All official documents and case files were stuffed into his hands to process.

Lord Xu's official seal was also kept with him.

Xu Yuan felt very at ease leaving these official duties to Fu Jingyu.

He even considered this making the best use of everyone's talents, a high-minded method of governing subordinates.

Xu Yuan accepted remonstrations as flowing water, saying what you say makes sense, but this official has no intention of correcting it.

Fu Jingyu was truly helpless regarding this.

After dismissing Fu Jingyu, Xu Yuan once again repeatedly worked through his plan to cultivate the Dragon Transformation Art using the leather dragon.

"There is a seventy percent chance..." Xu Yuan pondered: "Time waits for no one; raising oneself to the fifth rank within half a year is no easy task!"

Thus, he made his decision; this risk had to be taken.

What thing in this world carries no risk?

Moreover, even if it failed, losing the leather dragon and Fu Chongjiu's dragon pearl, though a great pity, were merely external objects and posed no threat to his own safety.

But Xu Yuan did not act immediately.

The Princess Consort was dead; such a huge matter would surely provoke an immediate reaction from the Xiang Wang Fu and the Fu family.

And cultivating the Dragon Transformation Art using the leather dragon required seclusion.

How long until he could emerge from seclusion, Xu Yuan could not determine.

If people from the Xiang Wang Fu came to investigate the Princess Consort's death while he was in seclusion—that would be somewhat suspicious.

The Princess Consort's death also meant another copy of the Dragon Transformation Art had been lost.

People from the Xiang Wang Fu would surely suspect: Are you cultivating the Dragon Transformation Art?

Xu Yuan did not wait long either; the next morning, Zhu Zhanlei arrived.

He came alone, in plain clothes, secretly to pass word to Lord Xu: "A huge incident has occurred; I came to inform you."

"The Princess Consort died in Ghost Wushan!"

"The Canal Zhancheng Yamen has exploded with chaos; not only our Zhan Cheng, but Luocheng over there is also implicated."

"My third sister has also brought people over to assist in investigating this major case."

"Miao Yu was called to the pier early this morning, and I must hurry over there too."

After Zhu Zhanlei finished speaking, he hurriedly left.

Xu Yuan was not surprised, but pretended on the surface to know nothing.

He performed his duties in the yamen as usual; sure enough, not long after, Lang Xiao Ba came to report: "My lord, Gao Wanli has been called away."

Xu Yuan nodded, grabbed Lang Xiao Ba, and said: "Suspend matters regarding the Fishermen Gang for now; the pier has been... too chaotic recently."

"This subordinate understands; I will go notify Miao Yan immediately."

By afternoon, various news arrived.

The Southern Jiaozhi River Supervisor of the Canal Zhancheng Yamen personally rushed over from Shunhua City.

He brought a full four battalions of river soldiers!

The Shanhe Office's Southern Jiaozhi Commander personally rushed over, bringing nine people including Zhu Zhanmei, the Law Enforcer, and the Patrol Inspector.

Additionally, five hundred Captains!

The involved Zhan Cheng River Supervisor and Gao Wanli were interrogated repeatedly.

Even Mr. Lu, Mr. Jiang, and others under Gao Wanli did not escape; they were directly thrown into the great prison.

Xu Yuan pretended not to care on the surface, but secretly closely monitored the situation developing at the pier.

The result was that two hours later, as dusk approached, Xiang Qinghuai arrived from Luocheng, covered in dust.

Upon entering the Zhan Cheng office, Xiang Qinghuai pulled Xu Yuan into the duty room, closed the door, and said in a deep voice: "The Commander ordered me to come specifically to ask you one question: Is the matter of the Princess Consort related to you?"

Xu Yuan gave a bitter smile and spread his hands: "How could it be! The Princess Consort died inside Ghost Wushan; I have been in the yamen this entire time; even Gao Wanli can testify for me!"

Xu Yuan deliberately shifted his expression, as if thinking of something, and lowered his voice: "Were those two assassinations ordered by the Princess Consort?"

Xiang Qinghuai waved his hands repeatedly: "That is not the case. Those two assassinations of yours..." Xiang Qinghuai hesitated for a moment, then finally said: "Anyway, just keep it in your heart; we have no evidence, and you likely won't be able to catch any concrete evidence either."

Ma Tianshou also suspected the Princess Consort was behind it.

Zhan Cheng is this small; the various forces inside and outside the city are limited in number.

To be able to send so many powerful cultivators to assassinate Xu Yuan twice in a row... besides the Princess Consort who suddenly arrived in Zhan Cheng, who else could it be?

That is as obvious as a louse on a bald head.

But you have no evidence; if you dare to speak nonsense, it is slander.

Ma Tianshou knew Xu Yuan was the type who would not suffer a loss, so upon hearing the Heir Apparent's wife had died, he was startled and immediately sent Xiang Qinghuai to question Xu Yuan.

He was truly worried Xu Yuan had struck secretly.

He originally wanted to send Elder Yan, but the old gentleman was far too aged, so he sent Xiang Qinghuai instead.

Xiang Qinghuai could not help but ask once more: "Truly not you?"

"Truly not me." Xu Yuan pointed outside: "Go ask anyone you like; I have been in the office the whole time, working diligently."

Xiang Qinghuai waved his hand: "As long as it is not you. The Commander sent me for another reason; the Canal Office has already informed the old master, and this time we must fully cooperate with the Shanhe Bureau."

Xu Yuan widened his eyes: "We cooperate with them? On what grounds?"

Xiang Qinghuai sighed: "The matter is too huge. The Commander's meaning is that at this time we must keep a low profile; whatever the Canal Office orders, we do, so as not to give them an excuse to cause trouble without reason.

Up above..." Xiang Qinghuai pointed upward: "Several high lords are furious; it is said even Your Majesty has learned of this matter."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Very well, we will keep a low profile."

"At the latest by tomorrow, the Canal Office will summon you; I will accompany you."

Just as they were speaking, a clamor suddenly came from outside: "Hey, hey, hey, why is this goose so fierce!"

Xu Yuan looked out the window; in the courtyard, Da Fu was spreading his wings and chasing Zhu Zhanlei, pecking furiously.

Zhu Zhanlei held his head and covered his face, yet his buttocks were exposed, and Da Fu pecked him hard right there.

"Aaaah—" Zhu Zhanlei let out a wail of agony, crashed through the door, and tumbled in.

Xu Yuan quickly blocked Da Fu behind him: "Enough, enough; he dares not eat you."

Da Fu held a grudge deeply.

Zhu Zhanlei, in pain, bared his teeth: "I won't eat, I won't eat; I will never dare to speak nonsense again."

Da Fu strutted proudly, let out a quack, and walked away.

Xu Yuan beckoned Zhu Zhanlei: "Why have you come again? Sit quickly."

Zhu Zhanlei had barely touched the stool when he let out another "Aaaah" and jumped up.

It hurt too much.

Xu Yuan and Xiang Qinghuai both looked at Zhu Zhanlei with suspicious eyes.

"Da Fu must have pecked your..."

Zhu Zhanlei flatly denied it: "Absolutely not! Your goose is strange; how could it hurt so much?"

He touched the spot on his buttocks where he had been pecked and immediately bared his teeth in pain again.

"Help me check; is it swollen?" He turned around.

Xu Yuan and Xiang Qinghuai both waved their hands and turned their faces away: "Absolutely not looking!"

On Zhu Zhanlei's buttocks, his clothes had a hole pecked through them.

Zhu Zhanlei cursed silently, turned back: "Enough, I will not sit. I have some news to tell you; after speaking, I will leave.

The Canal Office originally wanted to summon you this afternoon, but it turned out the Heir Apparent's wife sent people to assassinate you twice..."

(End of this chapter)