Chapter 393: Perfecting the Clever Plan (Three-in-One)

"Why must you impersonate Fu Yuhuan?" Xu Yuan asked.

As he spoke, Lord Xu seemed to glance casually toward the courtyard gate.

Under the "Life Gaze," a clear, bright green "Life" character could be seen rising high outside the courtyard gate.

Someone had arrived, but hearing the conversation, they stopped outside.

Zhu Zhanlei grumbled, "That woman said I carry the air of a decadent noble, making me the most similar to Fu Yuhuan; impersonating him would be most convincing."

Xu Yuan nodded and said earnestly,

"Zhanlei, tell me Xu Miao's poisonous scheme in detail so I can help you find its flaws, allowing you to refute her.

Otherwise, since she has already persuaded Lord Luo, even if you truly let Dafu peck her, it cannot change your situation."

Zhu Zhanlei calmed down, thinking it was indeed so; if he did not wish to execute this plan, he must oppose it with reason and evidence, otherwise Lord Luo Gongqiao would never replace the candidate just to save the Zhu family face.

This time, Zhu Zhanlei explained the plan in detail.

This included more details.

For instance, Fu Yuhuan must deliberately show affection for his sister, pretending to cry a few times in the mountains.

For instance, upon entering the mountains, he must deliberately search for those dragon-attribute evil spirits, constantly baiting and feeding them to attract the attention of the villain lurking in the shadows.

Also, this time four Fourth-Rank experts will lie in ambush behind, but not too close, as the villain's strength is not insignificant and might detect them.

But if they stay too far away, Lord Luo will need to apply to the Canal Office for several craft items capable of instant communication.

Such craft items do exist, named "Harmonious Resonance Wheels."

The method of forging them is a secret of the Canal Office.

Every requisition requires following a strict procedure.

Even Lord Luo Gongqiao must comply.

After Zhu Zhanlei finished speaking, Xu Yuan sneered, "This plan has many flaws."

Zhu Zhanlei's eyes lit up; he sat down affectionately beside Xu Yuan and poured him tea: "Brother, speak quickly."

"First, the foundation of this plan is: Fu Yuhuan and the Princess share deep sibling affection; the Fu family, fearing the dangers of Ghost Wushan, is unwilling to dispatch high-level cultivators to avenge the sister, so Fu Yuhuan secretly ran away from home to avenge her alone."

"Crying a few times in the mountains is supposed to make that cunning villain believe Fu Yuhuan's affection for the Princess is enough to make him lose reason and recklessly come alone to avenge her?"

Zhu Zhanlei's eyes shifted, and he nodded vigorously: "Indeed a major flaw; it makes Fu Yuhuan look too stupid.

If that villain truly takes the bait, it only proves the villain is even stupider—but that villain killed the Princess and Seventeenth Uncle, so obviously he is not stupid."

Xu Yuan shook his head and said, "So, the foundation of this plan must be altered to deceive that villain."

Before Zhu Zhanlei could ask further, Xu Yuan immediately continued, "It must be changed to: Fu Yuhuan has deep affection for his sister, so he deliberately uses himself as bait, but two Fourth-Rank experts are following him!

These two Fourth-Rank experts from the Fu family are placed openly, following Fu Yuhuan about three li behind, making every effort to appear secretive and avoid detection.

But in reality, that villain will certainly discover them."

"Lord Luo and Lord Shen Chen are the true reserves; they must stay even further away from those two Fourth-Rank experts of the Fu family, over thirty li away."

"That villain once killed the Princess and Seventeenth Uncle, and Seventeenth Uncle was Fourth-Rank, so he likely will not fear two Fourth-Rank experts."

"And Fu Yuhuan believes that since last time only Seventeenth Uncle, a single Fourth-Rank, was present, bringing two this time is enough to avenge his sister."

"Only this way can that villain take the bait."

Having spoken thus, seemingly thirsty, Xu Yuan tapped the table with his finger; Zhu Zhanlei hurriedly refilled his tea.

Xu Yuan shook his head and said again, "Actually, there is another, even better explanation."

"That is, Fu Yuhuan pretends to avenge his sister, but actually targets the villain secretly practicing the 'Dragon Transformation Art' in the mountains.

As long as he captures that villain and eats him, Fu Yuhuan can greatly advance his cultivation!

It is merely using the name of avenging his sister.

All other arrangements remain the same."

Zhu Zhanlei felt this second explanation was obviously better.

Zhu Zhanlei knew what kind of temperament those who cultivated the 'Dragon Transformation Art' possessed.

Things like family affection were long since cultivated away.

The dragon nature is inherently violent and cold.

"Besides this point, are there other flaws?"

"There is also: during the actual operation, how will they confirm that the villain has discovered them?

If all their so-called 'grand and noisy' behavior is actually completely unnoticed by the villain, then this entire scheme is like making eyes at a blind man, ending in wasted effort.

You and Xu Miao are fine, but the four Fourth-Rank experts are of noble status; losing face would make the aftermath difficult to handle."

Zhu Zhanlei couldn't help asking, "The villain won't be completely unaware, right?"

"That is your assumption; you have never entered Ghost Wushan and do not know how vast Ghost Wushan is," Xu Yuan said. "Moreover, that villain is a lone wolf with no helpers outside the mountain and almost no sources of information; no matter how much you make a scene—unless you happen to run into him by chance, it is highly likely he simply does not know anyone has entered the mountain to hunt him."

Zhu Zhanlei frowned; Brother Xu's words made a lot of sense.

Xu Yuan continued, "To solve this is actually simple. When the Princess entered the mountain initially, how she tracked that villain, Gao Wanli knows very well, so let Gao Wanli go as well.

But Gao Wanli is after all the Law Enforcer of the Shanhe Bureau's Zhangcheng Division, and having barely escaped death last time, she should have been terrified out of her wits and would be unlikely to willingly enter Ghost Wushan again.

So Gao Wanli must appear to be coerced."

Afterwards, Xu Yuan added, "It would be best to ask the Fu family if they have any method to reveal those who have cultivated the 'Dragon Transformation Art' within a certain range; if so, as long as the villain is nearby, you will know, and thus confirm whether the villain actually knows you have entered the mountain to fish for him."

With this perfection, Xu Miao's plan could finally be considered truly executable.

Xu Yuan was determined to obtain that craft item.

Once the material was dismantled and fed, Xu Yuan's 'Dragon Transformation Art' would surely advance greatly.

So... this time, Young Master Zhu and Gao Guanzi would just have to suffer.

Anyway, since that villain does not actually exist, Zhu Zhanlei should not be in mortal danger.

As for Gao Guanzi, Xu Yuan would naturally notify him to hide secretly; it was just that Gao Family Village would probably have to move again.

And the final addition was Xu Yuan testing the Fu family to see if they possessed any means to reveal within a certain range those burdened with the "Dragon Transformation Method."

If they did, he would need to be even more careful when encountering the Fu family in the future.

But Xu Yuan guessed there was most likely none; even if there were, the conditions would surely be extremely harsh, otherwise the Princess Consort should have used it last time.

Zhu Zhanlei clapped his hands and laughed heartily: "Hahaha, that old woman thought herself clever, yet she did not know her scheme had so many flaws! I shall go see Lord Luo immediately and surely..."

Before Zhu Zhanlei finished speaking, he heard a voice from outside the courtyard that made him utterly loathe: "Lord Xu indeed possesses great talent; this official thanks Lord Xu for helping perfect the scheme."

Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan both wore expressions of shock.

They saw a group of people walking into the courtyard from outside.

The female official leading them was not tall, but her hair was like clouds, beautiful in color, and her figure was quite considerable; as she walked, her chest bounced up and down, her waist slender enough to be grasped in one hand, making one unable to help but worry whether she could bear the weight before and behind her.

Her eyebrows and eyes were spirited, her glances full of charm; she was truly in the prime of her life, full of vigor.

She brought two subordinates, who were also female cultivators.

Upon seeing her, Zhu Zhanlei ground his teeth: "Xu Miaozhi!"

"Grandma is here!" Xu Miaozhi glared back without the slightest courtesy.

Zhu Zhanlei, so angry that hot air puffed from his nostrils: "You—"

Xu Yuan, meanwhile, wore a face full of regret: "Oh no, Zhanmei, what we just said... she must have overheard it all!"

"Ah!" Zhu Zhanlei finally realized, his face instantly turning ashen.

Xu Miaozhi smiled triumphantly: "Originally, I was ordered by Lord Luo to come and take you back. I never expected such an unexpected great harvest."

She clasped her fists toward Xu Yuan, bowed deeply, and her chest dipped along with the motion.

"Thank you, Lord Xu!"

As she straightened up, her chest trembled once more.

"With Lord Xu's such talent, this official will surely recommend you to Lord Luo; we cannot let such talent go to waste!"

Xu Yuan immediately frowned, looking as if he regretted everything beyond measure.

Xu Miaozhi laughed loudly at Zhu Zhanlei, turned, and left: "This official is returning now to discuss this plan in detail with Lord Luo!"

She didn't even bother with Zhu Zhanlei.

Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan looked at each other; Xu Yuan let out a long sigh: "Zhanmei, you have ruined me!"

Zhu Zhanlei: "..."

Zhu Zhanlei felt something was slightly off, but he couldn't say exactly where.

At this moment, feeling depressed, he was too lazy to think much about it.

"This time, it seems I am doomed. I will be held hostage by that old woman." Zhu Zhanlei sighed long, waved his hand, and left on his own: "No, I must go back and prepare, lest that old woman traps me to death in Ghost Wushan."

After a few days, Zhu Zhanlei might suddenly realize at some moment exactly where the problem lay.

But right now, all his thoughts were on how to deal with the coming "calamity."

Even if he realized it later, he would likely think he was overthinking it.

After all, what benefit would Xu Yuan gain by doing this to him?

And with his personality, if he couldn't figure it out, he would just stop using his brain and not think about it...

Xu Yuan saw Zhu Zhanlei out to the courtyard gate; upon reaching the gate, Zhu Zhanlei suddenly ground his teeth: "No, I must have Master Dafu help me vent this anger!"

Dafu shook his head and swayed, meaning that once the insects arrived, everything would be easy to handle!

Xu Yuan also wore a look of utter hatred toward Xu Miaozhi: "Fine, leave this matter to Dafu!"

Xu Miaozhi had extremely strong execution; that afternoon, the confidential document from Luo Gongqiao requesting the use of the "Harmony Resonance Wheel" was sent out.

Afterwards, three Harmony Resonance Wheels arrived almost simultaneously with the two Fourth-Rank cultivators from the Fu family.

But they did not act immediately.

On this day, Zhu Zhanlei came again, listlessly telling Xu Yuan: "The Fu family truly does possess that method, but it seems there are many restrictions on its use; the Fu family's two Fourth-Ranks are currently communicating with the family.

We must wait a few more days."

Xu Yuan had not been idle these past few days either.

After Xu Miaozhi said that day that she would recommend him to Luo Gongqiao, Xu Yuan immediately sent a letter to Ma Tianshou.

In the letter, he complained at length.

Old Master Ma naturally understood this young man's intentions, so he issued a document to the Canal Office, applying some pressure.

And Xu Yuan had previously expressed his desire for "benefits" to Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei.

Lord Luo had not summoned Xu Yuan these past few days; he must have already learned of Xu Yuan's attitude from the two of them.

It now depended on what price Lord Luo could offer.

While waiting for news from the Fu family, Xu Yuan did two things, keeping himself very busy.

One was the shop at the dock, which opened with red decorations at super-high efficiency.

Lord Xu gave it a name: "Yuan Sheng Hao."

The Shopkeeper was an elderly man recommended by Miao Yan, in his early fifties, named Yang Laicai.

Xu Yuan called him "Uncle Yang."

Previously, at a shop in the northern city, he had served as Shopkeeper for twenty-three years.

Half a year ago, the old master passed away; within less than three months, the young master replaced him with the third disciple he had trained.

Yang Laicai took wine and dishes to the old master's grave, knocked three loud kowtows, and thanked the old master for twenty years of trust and reliance.

Afterwards, he said not a single word of complaint, packed his things, and prepared to return home to retire.

But he was invited over by Miao Yan.

Xu Yuan even suspected that the old man, to seek good omens for the master, had deliberately changed his name to "Laicai."

He is a ninth-rank Wen Xiu who once passed the Xiucai examination.

He can write and calculate, and his speech is far from vulgar.

Besides Xu Yuan, the other partner was Miao Yu.

Miao Yu provided one hundred thousand taels of silver, taking a thirty percent share.

Moreover, he had agreed with Xu Yuan: no profit sharing for the first three years, and for the following ten years, at least twenty thousand taels per year.

After ten years, it would be left to fate.

During this period, whatever happened to the shop at the interface of the canal dock, he, Miao Yu, would be responsible for handling it.

Overall, Xu Yuan still came out ahead.

But ten years for two hundred thousand taels, Miao Yu was not too much at a loss.

Mainly because Miao Yu trusted Xu Yuan as a person.

The shop dealt in specialties from Ghost Wushan and the vicinity of Champa.

Anything fished up from the canal, if you are willing to bring it, the shop will also accept it!

The second matter was secretly cultivating the Skin Dragon's "Dragon Transformation Art".

And as the cultivation deepened, the connection between the Skin Dragon, the Dragon Pearl, and the Zang objects grew tighter, showing signs of "merging into one body".

The five Zang objects Xu Yuan obtained were an ancient scripture, a bronze mirror, a medicine essence, a grain ear, and a five-colored thread.

The pages of the ancient scripture had all stuck together, making it impossible to open.

The characters on the cover were also blurred and indistinct.

The bronze mirror was covered in rust, and only the Kui Dragon pattern on the back could be barely identified.

The medicine essence had been burned into a lump; even a Rank Dan Xiu could not identify which herbs it was.

The grain ear could only be recognized by its general shape.

The five-colored thread was tangled into a ball, making it impossible to distinguish the various colors.

But the "concrete meaning" they represented still existed.

As they merged, the speed at which various proliferations, deformities, and ulcers occurred during the Skin Dragon's cultivation recovered faster and faster.

The connection between Xu Yuan and the Skin Dragon also became sharper and sharper.

Originally, Xu Yuan needed to sink his consciousness into the Skin Dragon to control this treasure.

Now, however, he could use a state similar to "visualization," manipulating it between conscious and unconscious intent.

Simply put, as long as he "kept the Skin Dragon in mind," the Skin Dragon could complete some simple actions on its own.

There were also many other benefits slowly emerging.

And only after truly cultivating the "Dragon Transformation Art" did Xu Yuan understand its subtleties.

It was truly about slowly acquiring the various abilities of the True Dragon clan.

Or perhaps they should be called... Divine Abilities?

Lady Fu Shuanghui, Fu Chongjiu, and the Princess Consort each had different focuses in their abilities.

This was due to their own differences, leading them to choose aspects they liked or were good at for further development.

Xu Yuan would need to do the same in the future.

But Xu Yuan was not in a hurry to choose a focus for the "Dragon Transformation Art" abilities; instead, he wanted to talk with his stepmother and Elder Shen one more time.

This time, he would thoroughly ask about the family's situation.

Only then could he know what ability the "Dragon Transformation Art" should focus on to provide the greatest assistance on the Ghost Festival.

The cultivation over these two days had actually yielded an unexpected gain.

One night, while the Skin Dragon was chasing a golden-line eel in the canal, it accidentally collided with an iron cage.

This iron cage sank in the water, was as large as three or four rooms, and contained various strange creatures inside.

The Skin Dragon hid nearby, and the next day saw the Fishermen's Gang arrive to "collect the cage".

This was the Fishermen's Gang's method for catching strange creatures.

The Skin Dragon followed the Fishermen's Gang's boat and found the place where they raised evil spirits.

Regarding this matter, after the Princess Consort's case was over, Xu Yuan planned to act immediately to handle it.

A few more days passed, and there was still no movement from the Fu family, but Xu Yuan discovered a problem with the "Dragon Transformation Art":

The cultivation speed had been slowing down!

The Skin Dragon's daily food intake increased, but the speed did not increase; instead, it decreased.

The Skin Dragon hunted in the canal, eating only eighth-rank and seventh-rank evil spirits.

It rarely managed to catch sixth-rank ones.

Relying solely on lower-third-rank Dragon descendants would yield diminishing returns for the Skin Dragon's "Dragon Transformation Art" cultivation.

"No wonder, from Lady Fu Shuanghui to Fu Chongjiu to the Princess Consort, they were all trying every means to capture stronger Dragon descendants."

"The cultivation of this 'Dragon Transformation Art' is clearly about seizing the creation of heaven and earth; one must consume a Dragon descendant of the same level or a higher level to seize its fortune and achieve great progress."

"Eating only low-level ones, I fear it will be extremely difficult to break through."

"For my 'Dragon Transformation Art' to increase in level, I must find a fifth-rank Dragon descendant. Or even... one fifth-rank one might not be enough."

Fu Chongjiu's Dragon Pearl was fifth-rank, the Zang objects were fifth-rank, only the Skin Dragon's level was hard to define.

But the Skin Dragon was undoubtedly the strangest of the three.

After merging into one body and formally cultivating the "Dragon Transformation Art," it only reached sixth-rank.

Xu Yuan was not disappointed.

Xu Yuan knew very well that by cultivating the "Dragon Transformation Art" through the fusion of the three, his foundation was thick and solid.

His future development was promising.

If, after fusion, it becomes a Fifth-Rank or Fourth-Rank, it would instead be a hollow glory.

The foundation might become unstable.

And a thick, solid foundation means that every subsequent step of advancement will also require pouring in more opportunities to solidify each stage of the ascent.

Therefore, Xu Yuan is determined to obtain that craft object of Xu Miaozhi this time!

In the future, Xu Yuan will also subtly inquire of Bai Laoyan, Gao Guanzi, and others about which high-level Dragon-tribe evil spirits exist within Ghost Wushan.

He cannot speak plainly, to avoid leaking secrets.

……

After waiting another two days, the Fu family finally sent someone again, bringing that "secret method."

Xu Yuan finally received another "summons" from Luo Gongqiao.

Luo Gongqiao held no particular fondness for this young Master of Laws of the Purification Bureau.

But Xu Miaozhi strongly recommended him.

He has been valuing Xu Miaozhi highly recently.

Thus, after meeting, Luo Gongqiao flicked his sleeves.

A strange whisker-worm crawled out, landing on the table and trembling its whiskers, emitting a continuous low hum.

Luo Gongqiao got straight to the point: "After this case concludes, this official will assign a crime to Gao Wanli; her best outcome will be demotion and transfer."

The whisker-worm was not a benefit for Xu Yuan; the handling of Gao Wanli was the benefit.

The low hum of the whisker-worm can block eavesdropping.

If someone nearby were using a craft object or the like to eavesdrop at this moment, a sharp sound would directly pierce their eardrums.

Furthermore, it can prevent all bizarre methods from recording Luo Gongqiao's words.

All agreements reached after today's discussion are merely a tacit understanding between the two. If others ask, Luo Gongqiao will absolutely deny it.

Xu Yuan shook his head: "Whether Gao Wanli stays or goes is of no concern to this subordinate official."

Even if Gao Wanli remains in Champa, she will not cause much hindrance to Xu Yuan.

Luo Gongqiao frowned and added: "You are a Rank Dan Xiu, I hear you are already Fifth-Rank? Talented at a young age. This official can decide to grant you a technique for refining fire from the bureau's archive."

For a Rank Dan Xiu of Fourth-Rank, the Fu Zhong Huo in the abdomen can be further refined into different attributes, with power incomparable to before.

But whatever fire-refining technique Xu Yuan wants, Aunt Wang should have it all.

Xu Yuan therefore refused with unusual bluntness: "No need. This subordinate official dares not use the fire-refining techniques of the Canal Bureau."

Luo Gongqiao's face fell.

This young man is indeed a thorn.

Confronting me directly; An Chengyuan spoke to this official just as impolitely.

"What do you want?" Luo Gongqiao asked outright.

If Ma Tianshou were not backing him, why would this my lord need to bargain with a mere Master of Laws? I would simply conscript him directly.

If he refuses, I will take him by force and bring him straight to Ghost Wushan!

Xu Yuan replied: "This subordinate official wants a good Fourth-Rank material."

"A bit greedy!" Luo Gongqiao was displeased.

This my lord does not find it easy to hunt down Fourth-Rank evil spirits, yet you ask for one outright?

Xu Yuan added: "If that won't work... does the Canal Bureau's treasury contain any discarded Fourth-Rank sword pills?"

Luo Gongqiao thought for a moment; in the Southern Jiaozhi Office of the Shanhe Bureau, there truly was one such item.

On the surface, a good Fourth-Rank material seems inferior to a Fourth-Rank sword pill.

Good materials also require a craft cultivator to forge them, adding an extra step, and Fourth-Rank craft cultivators are hard to find.

But in reality, good materials can be forged according to one's own wishes.

Whereas a discarded Fourth-Rank sword pill is only useful to a Fourth-Rank Rank Dan Xiu.

It merely enhances one's own sword pill.

And the skill level of Rank Dan Xiu cultivators is generally not high; Fourth-Rank ones are very rare.

If others obtain it, it is merely a heavy piece of scrap iron; if not handled carefully, one could even be injured by the sword qi within.

Therefore, the value of a good Fourth-Rank material is actually much higher.

"Very well, this official will give it to you."

"Thank you, my lord." Xu Yuan, face beaming with smiles, clasped his fists and bowed.

Luo Gongqiao shook his head, muttering to himself, "Arrogant at first, then respectful."

"Work hard!" He admonished: "Your performance had better make this official feel it was worth the cost."

……

Xu Yuan returned to his courtyard, made simple preparations; Luo Gongqiao had said they would depart first thing tomorrow morning.

This time, he would not bring a single subordinate, but Xu Yuan felt he should take Da Fu along.

But after searching the entire courtyard: "Da Fu? Da Fu, where have you run off to?"

My Lord Xu had a bad premonition: Zhu Zhanlei and Da Fu, one is recklessly bold, the other... simply has no idea how serious the situation is!

"These two fellows wouldn't have actually gone to peck at Xu Miaozhi, would they..."

Xu Yuan rushed out immediately to find Zhu Zhanlei, but just a short distance after leaving the door, he saw Da Fu at the base of a wall by the street, his beak clamped tightly on a shadow, trying to drag it out from the gutter beneath the wall.

That shadow was slender, and it seemed to have scales on its body.

Pulled too urgently by Da Fu, it turned and darted up, revealing a human face only the size of a fist; it opened its mouth, bared its fangs, and lunged to bite Da Fu's neck.

(End of this chapter)