Chapter 392: The Great Fortune Lord Aids Me in Venting My Anger (Combined Three Parts)

Xu Yuan’s heart stirred, and he asked, “Oh? Why is that?”

Such anecdotes, Zhu Zhanlei—a wealthy scion of a prominent family—always went out of his way to learn inside and out.

All to brag to people like Xu Yuan.

So Zhu Zhanlei perked up and spoke quickly: “Our Seven Sects’ cultivators, plus countless ‘heretical paths’—after all this cultivation, what exactly are we cultivating?”

His father, Xu Chuanyang, had told Xu Yuan this before.

But Xu Yuan played along, asking, “What are we cultivating?”

Zhu Zhanlei made a forceful gesture, convinced he’d delivered a shocking revelation: “We’re cultivating evil spirits! All our abilities, all our powers, have their roots in evil spirits and anomalies!”

Xu Yuan sequentially displayed expressions of shock, deep thought, and sudden understanding: “It does… seem to be true.”

Zhu Zhanlei’s ego was thoroughly satisfied.

“Thus, cultivators must constantly guard against contamination—if any part becomes uncontrollable, they must immediately deal with it.

But the higher one’s level, the more contamination accumulates, and the harder it becomes to cleanse.”

Xu Yuan nodded: “Exactly.”

“Some cultivators, when advancing their level, use extreme methods—this increases contamination in their bodies.

Layer upon layer of buildup—imagine how terrifying it becomes by the Third Tier!”

Zhu Zhanlei then spoke of the one in the Xiang Prince’s mansion: “These household guards in the Prince’s court are maintained solely to advance them, so they may serve the mansion.

Thus, whenever advancement is possible, they deliberately ignore hidden dangers and employ any means necessary.

That ‘Lord’ is a Spirit Cultivator; advancing to the Third Tier was already a struggle.

After succeeding, he immediately sought out a place where geothermal flames surged, secluded himself, and used external forces to suppress the yin energy within.

Since his advancement to the Third Tier, he has only acted twice.

He was already over a hundred when he advanced, with little life left.

Everyone guesses he can only act twice more.

The entire Xiang Mansion relies on him to maintain face—the Crown Princess has died, and this isn’t just the Xiang Mansion’s affair; the Fu family and the River Office are both entangled. The Xiang Prince may not dare let him act.”

Xu Yuan asked: “Are all Upper Third Tier cultivators like this?”

“Of course not,” Zhu Zhanlei said. “Both the Northern and Southern Capitals have many brilliant talents who advance normally and can act without restraint.

But there is one consensus: only those who reach Upper Third Tier before fifty are true Upper Tier cultivators!”

Xu Yuan nodded. His father had never told him these things.

Playing along with Zhu Zhanlei had yielded some gains.

Calculating it this way, the only true Upper Tier in his household was his stepmother.

Wang Shen and the others were in a situation similar to the Xiang Mansion’s ‘Lord.’

“So,” Xu Yuan said, “the only experts who’ll come are these two Fourth Tier officers from the River Office?”

“Not necessarily. The Fu family will send people too—but they have no Upper Third Tier. At most, they’ll send Fourth Tier, perhaps a few.”

Xu Yuan weighed this in his mind: four Fourth Tier cultivators—even if they gathered four—would likely be powerless against the Ancient Corpse Empress.

As they spoke, they passed the River Office.

Xu Yuan frowned: “Aren’t we going in?”

Zhu Zhanlei slapped his forehead: “I just told you wrong—the two Fourth Tier officers are nearly here. An Chengyuan told me to fetch you to the dock to greet them.”

An Chengyuan had already gone ahead with his men.

Today’s guest was important, so the dock had been cleared entirely.

All other cargo ships had to wait on the river, forbidden from approaching the dock to unload.

An Chengyuan wore his official robes, face solemn, gazing upstream.

When Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan arrived, An Chengyuan didn’t even glance at them.

Miao Yu waved them over, signaling them to stand beside him.

Xu Yuan said nothing.

But in truth, as a representative of the Purification Office, he should have been given a designated position.

An Chengyuan had deliberately suppressed the Purification Office in this case, yet still kept Xu Yuan from leaving.

His conduct was textbook Ming imperial bureaucracy.

Xu Yuan quietly scanned the crowd and spotted Gao Wanli and Zhan Cheng Hejian nearby An Chengyuan.

Though reprimanded, they weren’t criminals and had been brought along.

Moreover, their positions were even better than Xu Yuan’s.

Xu Yuan silently shook his head.

Dozens of officials, big and small, had waited on the dock for a full hour—past lunchtime.

But since An Chengyuan hadn’t spoken, everyone, even hungry, had to endure it.

Finally, a large ship sailed down from upstream.

Gao Wanli saw the ship and her eyes lit up—it was built with New Craftsmanship techniques.

The ship docked; An Chengyuan immediately stepped forward, exchanged formalities, then introduced the main officials present to the two Fourth Tier officers—naturally excluding Xu Yuan.

He then escorted the two Fourth Tier officers back to the River Office.

Inside the office, An Chengyuan ordered his men to brief the two officers on the case and recent “investigative progress.”

The one assigned to present was another River Inspector under An Chengyuan, named Huang Ze.

He spoke fluently, detailing every action An Chengyuan had taken since arriving in Zhan City.

At first glance, he’d done a great deal.

Think again—he’d achieved nothing.

The two Fourth Tier officers held high positions within the River Office, ranking half a grade above An Chengyuan.

One of them, Luo Gongqiao, was even the Inspector of the Tian Shu Tower within the River Office.

The Tian Shu Tower was the River Office’s specialized department for investigating internal corruption, misconduct, and dereliction of duty.

When Huang Ze finished, Luo Gongqiao asked coldly: “So, after seven or eight days in Zhan City, you’ve made zero progress?”

The hall fell silent.

Everyone lowered their heads.

After a moment, An Chengyuan cleared his throat: “Inspector Luo, the case is complex and involves Wushan. Before your arrival, we dared not act rashly.”

Luo Gongqiao snorted: “Then what preparations have you made? You fear Wushan, but the case originated there—we must enter. Didn’t you prepare guides in advance?”

An Chengyuan hadn’t prepared anything.

He assumed someone in the local Shanhe Office or River Office knew Wushan well and could be summoned when needed.

But now Luo Gongqiao clearly intended to assert authority; if he admitted this, he’d be in deep trouble.

An Chengyuan had a sudden idea and bowed: “Your Excellency, we’ve already secured one. Xu Zhanglu of the Purification Office’s Zhan City branch is from Shanhe County and has entered and exited Wushan multiple times—he’s the ideal guide.”

Xu Yuan stared in disbelief. You bastard, now you remember me?

Luo Gongqiao nodded: “Where is Xu Yuan?”

Xu Yuan stepped forward and bowed: “Your humble servant is here.”

“An Chengyuan recommended you. You must give this duty your full attention—do not neglect or slack off!”

But Xu Yuan had no intention of honoring An Chengyuan: “Your Excellency, I am merely assisting in the investigation. An Chengyuan never informed me I was to serve as guide.”

“Hm?” Luo Gongqiao frowned, glancing irritably at An Chengyuan.

An Chengyuan remained calm: “I summoned Xu Zhanglu precisely for this purpose. Our River Office is full of talent—why would I need a man from the Purification Office otherwise?”

Xu Yuan still refused to give An Chengyuan face: “I am not the right choice. Though I’ve entered and exited Wushan several times, I’ve always relied on locals to guide me. This assignment An Chengyuan assigned me—I cannot fulfill it.

Moreover, the case is grave and involves many parties—I dare not delay progress.”

An Chengyuan was genuinely angry. This brat had no sense of propriety!

He shot Xu Yuan a furious glare.

Xu Yuan acted as if he saw nothing.

I’m from the Purification Office—I’m only assisting you.

Luo Gongqiao’s gaze flickered between An Chengyuan and Xu Yuan—though experienced and seasoned, he didn’t know how to proceed.

An Chengyuan was a veteran bureaucrat, idle and scheming—he’d seen many like him.

Xu Yuan was a brash upstart, reckless and ignorant of “the greater good”—he’d seen many like him too.

Though rare, clashes between the two had happened before.

Luo Gongqiao could easily handle both.

But today: An Chengyuan was a River Office veteran; Xu Yuan was a Purification Office rookie!

An Chengyuan wanted to dump the blame on Xu Yuan; Xu Yuan refused to take it.

Luo Gongqiao couldn’t reprimand Xu Yuan—doing so carried huge risk. If Xu Yuan could defy An Chengyuan, he might defy Luo Gongqiao too.

If he openly defied Luo Gongqiao, the Inspector wouldn’t “establish authority”—he’d lose face entirely!

Could he kill a Purification Office Zhanglu on the spot, just because he was Fourth Tier?

He couldn’t reprimand An Chengyuan either.

Though Luo Gongqiao wanted to use An Chengyuan as an example, An Chengyuan was still one of their own.

Scolding him now would look like favoring outsiders and crushing insiders.

The Tian Shu Tower already had a reputation for “investigating its own people…”

Luo Gongqiao found himself trapped.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, but he had no idea where to vent his fury.

An Chengyuan flew into a rage—this bastard had made him lose face before two Fourth-Rankers!

He bluntly scolded: “The superior officer gave an order—follow it. How dare you delay and refuse?”

Xu Yuan refused to back down, retorting immediately: “I’m from the Purification Office. You’re not my superior.”

Luo Gongqiao slammed his fist on the table and stormed out: “Nonsense!”

An Chengyuan glared coldly at Xu Yuan, then hurried after Luo Gongqiao.

The other officials of the River Office quickly followed.

They all left in a noisy rush.

Inside the office, only Xu Yuan, Xiang Qinghuai, and Zhu Zhanlei remained.

Zhu Zhanlei raised an eyebrow and grinned: “You’re impressive! You’ve put Luo Gongqiao and An Chengyuan in such a bind.”

Zhu Zhanlei gave a thumbs-up—he wasn’t joking; he genuinely admired him.

Luo Gongqiao and An Chengyuan held positions far from insignificant across the entire Ming Empire.

Both were seasoned bureaucrats, yet Xu Yuan managed to drive them both away in a fit of rage.

Xiang Qinghuai frowned in worry: “Too impulsive. An Chengyuan will surely harbor resentment…”

Xu Yuan said: “Brother Xiang, he’s already resented us. Since we arrived at the dock, he’s been picking faults with us—right?”

Xiang Qinghuai opened his mouth, then could only nod helplessly.

“If that’s the case, why pretend to humor him? This is the perfect chance to show them—our Purification Office people have pride too!”

If you don’t show some teeth, they’ll think you’re a soft target and keep pushing you around.

Xiang Qinghuai was still worried, but it was too late to say anything now.

Xu Yuan asked Zhu Zhanlei: “Everyone else went to apologize to Luo Gongqiao. Why didn’t you go?”

“I won’t go,” Zhu Zhanlei avoided his gaze.

Xu Yuan saw something was off and smiled at him.

Zhu Zhanlei waved his hand: “Let’s head back first.”

Outside the office, in the courtyard where Xu Yuan was staying, Zhu Zhanlei finally said: “The other Fourth-Ranker, Shen Chen, brought a subordinate named Xu Miao—she and I have a history. I’m in for a rough time now.”

Xu Yuan’s eyes widened: “A woman?”

Zhu Zhanlei flushed with anger: “What kind of look is that? It’s not what you think! I’d never do something so dishonorable!”

I always settle accounts clearly—cash on delivery!”

If I truly took advantage of a girl, I’d make sure she got everything she wanted—no half-measures!”

Xu Yuan frowned—wasn’t this just like going to the White Moon Pavilion? How could you say it so confidently?

“So how exactly did you two end up at odds?”

Zhu Zhanlei grumbled: “My family once arranged a marriage between us. We met once, looked each other over—she was delighted, but I wasn’t interested.”

She hated me ever since.

She’s been spreading rumors everywhere, claiming I broke her heart, vowing to become someone I could never hope to reach.”

Since then, she threw herself entirely into the office—and in just three years, she actually rose to the rank of River Patrol Officer. Word is, her future is bright. I might really be out of her league now…”

Xu Yuan couldn’t help laughing: “You’re still just a Squad Leader?”

Zhu Zhanlei blushed: “My ambitions lie elsewhere.”

“Enough with the excuses,” Xu Yuan cut him off bluntly: “Even if you gave it your all, you couldn’t match her.”

Zhu Zhanlei bristled, but Xu Yuan waved him off and added: “Have you ever considered she never liked you in the first place?”

“Impossible!” Zhu Zhanlei raised his voice, utterly confident: “She hates me because she loved me!”

Xiang Qinghuai had noticed the truth and was smirking beside him.

Zhu Zhanlei snapped: “What are you laughing at?”

Xiang Qinghuai, well aware of this noble brat’s nature, spoke plainly: “Young Master Zhu, Xu Miao is using you as an excuse to appease her family. Now they can’t pressure her into marriage anymore—she’s always aimed for a career, never to be a mere wife and mother.”

Zhu Zhanlei frowned, scratched his head, and thought hard: “Really?”

Xiang Qinghuai added soothingly: “Of course, maybe Xiang and I are wrong. Maybe she truly loves your handsome, dashing self—and her love turned to hatred.”

Zhu Zhanlei relaxed: “That must be it!”

At dinnertime, Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei arrived.

“Lord Luo said the two Fourth-Rankers from the Fu family will arrive the day after tomorrow. Prepare yourselves these two days—once all four Fourth-Rankers gather, we’ll storm Ghost Witch Mountain together.”

Zhu Zhanlei sneered: “So Luo Gongqiao storms in, scolds us for being too timid to enter the mountain—but he’s the same! He won’t go until the other two Fourth-Rankers show up, hmph!”

Zhu Zhanmei slapped him on the head: “Don’t speak carelessly—words bring disaster!”

Zhu Zhanlei grumbled: “Stop hitting people! You’re so violent, you’ll never find a husband!”

Zhu Zhanmei raised her hand again, but somehow, she held back.

“Lord Xu,” Zhu Zhanmei ignored her brother and turned to Xu Yuan: “Lord Luo assigned the task of finding a guide to our Shanhe Office. Are you truly unwilling to go?”

Xu Yuan snorted: “I can go—but Ghost Witch Mountain is extremely dangerous. That villain killed the Princess Consort and Uncle Seventeen—he must be formidable. This mission is perilous. Why should I, a Purification Office man, risk my life for the River Office?”

Miao Yu chuckled: “See? I knew it—you won’t move unless you see the rabbit.”

Zhu Zhanmei shook her head slightly: “It’s just a guide. Lord Luo won’t offer much reward.”

Xu Yuan waved his hand: “Just find someone in Qihetown who regularly enters the mountains.”

Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei said no more.

They didn’t absolutely need Xu Yuan to come along.

…

That night, Xu Yuan sent his Pi Dragon drifting upstream for dozens of miles.

The Pi Dragon moved faster through water than a galloping horse.

Then it opened its belly and devoured several water snakes, giant turtles, and crocodiles.

The daily practice of the Dragon Transformation Scripture involved feeding on these so-called “Dragon-affiliated” creatures.

The higher the quality of the prey, the greater the progress.

But one must never feed on prey stronger than oneself.

The Dragon Transformation Scripture cannot digest them.

In one night, the Pi Dragon devoured thirty-six “Dragon-affiliated” creatures—all of them malevolent.

Then it sank into a quiet river bend and began digesting them.

Bumps, fleshy tendrils, and pus-filled swellings grew all over its body.

It swelled grotesquely, becoming a monstrous mass of flesh like a Tai Sui!

It bore no resemblance to a dragon at all.

Many cultivators’ cultivation processes look like this.

For example, Wu Xiu who ingest certain metals often become grotesque.

They’re immobilized, then slowly return to human form.

In the northwest of Zhengzhou, a meteor fell, scattering into countless celestial iron fragments across a desert.

Local Wu Xiu who ingested this celestial iron would become half-human, half-insect.

They needed three years of seclusion to fully regain human form.

But celestial iron greatly enhanced Wu Xiu—if ingested, they could awaken a new “Wu Mi.”

Yet over half of them failed to regain human form, instead mutating into grotesque forms.

At dawn, the Pi Dragon slowly shed all its deformities, returning to its dragon shape, then flicked its tail and swam back downstream to the river dock.

…

Early in the morning, as Xu Yuan was eating, he heard loud yelling outside—Zhu Zhanlei burst in.

“Where’s Da Fu? I need Da Fu’s help! Great Lord Da Fu! Great Lord Da Fu! Are you here? Name your price—I’ll catch you as many bugs as you want…”

Xu Yuan laughed helplessly: “What are you doing? Da Fu is in town…”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a goose head poked out from beside the door.

Da Fu stared fixedly at Zhu Zhanlei—I thought I heard you talking about bugs?

Xu Yuan was startled: “When did you get here?”

Da Fu had arrived the previous afternoon.

He hadn’t come specifically for food.

After eating near the river dock last time, though he’d felt slightly unwell afterward, he’d suddenly become unusually energetic.

Lately, he’d claimed several streets around the Zhan City Office.

Yesterday, he’d felt the “medicine’s effect” fading.

He felt restless all over.

So he slipped out again, returned to the river dock, and smelled the scent of food—so he followed it.

Zhu Zhanlei saw Da Fu and bowed deeply in delight: “Great Lord Da Fu, you must help me get revenge! I’ve never been humiliated like this in my life!

Come with me—I’ll point out a woman. You just peck her right on the buttocks—hard!”

Xu Yuan grabbed him: “What happened?”

Zhu Zhanlei shook him off: “Don’t stop me—I’m making that woman regret this!”

Xu Yuan: “If you don’t explain clearly, I won’t lend you Da Fu.”

Zhu Zhanlei grumbled, “You’re really not a good friend—I was going to set you up with my third sister, but now it’s off!”

Xu Yuan laughed and groaned, “Just tell me—what exactly did Xu Miao do to you?”

“She persuaded Luo Gongqiao to make me impersonate Fu Yuhuan, the younger brother of the Crown Prince’s Consort, as bait to lure out the villain who secretly cultivates the Dragon Transformation Art in Ghost Witch Mountain!”

Xu Yuan frowned. This plan… honestly, it was a clever one.

The so-called “villain,” having cultivated the Dragon Transformation Art, would surely know that devouring others who practice it greatly boosts one’s own level.

Fu Yuhuan, as the Crown Prince’s Consort’s younger brother, entering the mountain to avenge his sister, was perfectly plausible.

Four fourth-stream cultivators storming Ghost Witch Mountain might indeed scare the “villain” into hiding.

If he stayed hidden deep within Ghost Witch Mountain, this case could never be resolved.

From Xu Miao’s perspective, coming up with this plan proved she had real ability.

“She’s deliberately setting me up!” Zhu Zhanlei exploded. “Who doesn’t know Fu Yuhuan’s a fop?”

Xu Yuan was stunned—he realized Zhu’s fury wasn’t about being used as bait, or the danger awaiting him in the mountain.

It was about being forced to play a fop.

“My reputation is ruined!”

But Xu Yuan noticed another key point: “If you’re impersonating Fu Yuhuan, but you don’t know the Dragon Transformation Art, how will the man in the mountain believe you?”

Zhu Zhanlei said, “That woman has a crafted artifact, forged from materials taken from a malevolent jade dragon.”

“She lent it to me, telling me to use it in the mountain to perform some dark sorcery—once the villain sees it from hiding, he’ll take the bait.”

Xu Yuan asked calmly, “What level is this artifact?”

“Fifth-stream.”

Xu Yuan calculated silently—then the material used to forge it must be at least fifth-stream, possibly even fourth-stream!

(End of Chapter)