Chapter 393: Refined Scheme (Combined Three Parts)

“Why did Xu Miao insist you impersonate Fu Yuhuan?” Xu Yuan asked.

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

Under “Wang Ming,” a clear, bright green “Ming” rose high outside the gate.

Someone had come, but upon hearing their conversation, stopped outside.

Zhu Zhanlei grumbled: “That woman said I’m full of idle aristocrat vibes—perfectly matching Fu Yuhuan’s demeanor, so I’d be the most convincing impostor.”

Xu Yuan nodded solemnly:

“Zhanlei, tell me every detail of Xu Miao’s scheme—I’ll help you find its flaws so you can refute her.”

Otherwise, since she’s already convinced Master Luo, even if you send Dafu to peck her, it won’t change your situation.”

Zhu Zhanlei calmed down, realizing it was true: if he wanted to oppose the plan, he needed solid reasoning—Master Luo would never swap him out just to spare the Zhu family’s face.

Zhu Zhanlei then recounted the entire plan in detail.

This time, more specifics emerged.

For instance, Fu Yuhuan must deliberately display affection for his sister, pretending to weep several times in the mountains.

For instance, upon entering the mountains, he must deliberately hunt for dragon-affiliated malevolent spirits, constantly feeding them to draw the attention of the hidden villain.

Also, four fourth-rank cultivators will lie in ambush behind, but not too close—the villain is formidable and might sense them.

Yet if they’re too far, Master Luo must apply to the River Authority for several artisan devices capable of instant communication.

Such devices do exist—they’re called “Heming Lu.”

Their crafting method is a secret of the River Authority.

Each deployment requires strict procedures.

Even Master Luo must follow them.

After hearing Zhu Zhanlei out, Xu Yuan sneered: “This scheme has too many flaws.”

Zhu Zhanlei’s eyes lit up; he sat close beside Xu Yuan and poured him tea: “Brother, tell me quick.”

“First, the core of this plan is: Fu Yuhuan and the Princess Consort are deeply bonded; the Fu family, fearing the dangers of Ghost Witch Mountain, refuses to send high-level cultivators to avenge her, so Fu Yuhuan sneaks out alone to seek revenge.”

“He weeps a few times in the mountains, hoping the cunning villain will believe his bond with the Princess Consort is so strong it drives him to madness—so he dares to act alone?”

Zhu Zhanlei’s eyes flickered, then nodded firmly: “That’s a huge flaw—it makes Fu Yuhuan look stupid.”

“If the villain falls for it, it only proves he’s even stupider—but he killed the Princess Consort and Uncle Seventeen; clearly, he’s not stupid.”

Xu Yuan shook his head: “So the core of this scheme must be rewritten to fool the villain.”

Before Zhu Zhanlei could ask, Xu Yuan continued: “Change it to: Fu Yuhuan is deeply attached to his sister, so he deliberately uses himself as bait—but two fourth-rank cultivators follow him.”

These two Fu family fourth-ranks are openly visible, trailing Fu Yuhuan about three li behind, pretending to be stealthy, trying hard not to be noticed.”

But in truth, the villain will surely detect them.”

“Master Luo and Shen Chen are the real backup—they must stay farther away, thirty li beyond the two fourth-ranks.”

“The villain killed the Princess Consort and Uncle Seventeen; Uncle Seventeen was a fourth-rank, so he likely won’t fear two fourth-ranks.”

“Fu Yuhuan thinks: last time only Uncle Seventeen was present; now there are two—he’s finally strong enough to avenge his sister.”

“Only then will the villain be lured.”

Here, Xu Yuan seemed thirsty; he tapped the table with his finger. Zhu Zhanlei hurriedly refilled his tea.

Xu Yuan shook his head again: “Actually, there’s an even better version.”

“That is: Fu Yuhuan pretends to avenge his sister, but his real target is the villain who secretly cultivated the ‘Dragon Transformation Art’ in the mountains.”

If he captures the villain and devours him, Fu Yuhuan’s cultivation will surge!”

He’s just using the pretext of avenging his sister.”

All other arrangements remain unchanged.”

Zhu Zhanlei felt this second version was clearly superior.

Zhu Zhanlei knew the temperament of those who cultivated the ‘Dragon Transformation Art.’

They’d long since lost all sense of kinship.

Dragon nature is inherently violent and cold.

“Besides this, are there other flaws?”

“Another: how will they confirm the villain has noticed them during execution?”

If all their ostentatious actions go completely unnoticed by the villain, the entire scheme is wasted—like offering coquettish glances to a blind man, ending in utter futility.”

You and Xu Miao won’t mind, but four fourth-ranks are prestigious—if they’re humiliated, it’ll be hard to recover.”

Zhu Zhanlei couldn’t help asking: “The villain won’t be completely unaware, right?”

“That’s your assumption—you’ve never entered Ghost Witch Mountain, so you don’t know how vast it is,” Xu Yuan said. “And the villain is a lone wolf with no allies outside; he has almost no intelligence network. No matter how loudly you make noise—unless you happen to stumble upon him—he likely won’t even know someone entered the mountains to hunt him.”

Zhu Zhanlei frowned; Brother Xu made sense.

Xu Yuan continued: “The solution is simple. The Princess Consort originally tracked the villain—Gao Wanli knows exactly how. So have Gao Wanli go too.”

But Gao Wanli is the Station Master of the Shanhe Office, and after barely escaping death last time, she’d surely be too terrified to re-enter Ghost Witch Mountain.”

So Gao Wanli must appear to be coerced.”

Xu Yuan added: “Also, ask the Fu family if they have any method to detect those who’ve cultivated the ‘Dragon Transformation Art’ within a certain range—if so, you’ll know the villain is near, and confirm whether he’s aware you’ve entered to lure him.”

With these improvements, Xu Miao’s scheme finally became executable.

That artisan device—Xu Yuan was determined to get it.

Once he dismantled it and devoured its core, his ‘Dragon Transformation Art’ would surge.

So… this time, poor Young Master Zhu and Gao Guanzi must suffer.

After all, the villain doesn’t even exist—Zhu Zhanlei won’t be in real danger.

And as for Gao Guanzi, Xu Yuan would warn him to hide secretly; but Gao Village would probably have to move again.

The final addition was Xu Yuan testing whether the Fu family had any method to detect those bearing the ‘Dragon Transformation Art.’

If they did, he’d need to be even more cautious around Fu family members in the future.

But Xu Yuan suspected they didn’t—if they did, the conditions must be extremely strict, or the Princess Consort would’ve used it last time.

Zhu Zhanlei clapped and laughed: “Hahahaha! That woman thinks she’s clever, but her scheme has so many flaws! I’ll go see Master Luo right away—I’ll make sure…”

Before Zhu Zhanlei finished speaking, a voice he utterly despised rang from outside the courtyard: “Master Xu truly possesses great talent. I thank you for helping refine the plan.”

Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan both froze in shock.

A group entered the courtyard.

Leading them was a female official, short in stature, but with hair like a cloud, beautiful in hue, her figure striking—her walk made her chest sway, her waist slender as if barely holding the weight before and behind.

Her eyes sparkled, her gaze alive with charm—she was in the prime of her vitality.

She brought two subordinates, both female cultivators.

Zhu Zhanlei saw her and gritted his teeth: “Xu Miao!”

“Grandma’s here!” Xu Miao shot back without mercy.

Zhu Zhanlei’s nostrils flared with heat: “You—”

Xu Yuan wore a look of utter regret: “Damn it, Zhanlei—everything we just said, she overheard!”

“Ah!” Zhu Zhanlei finally realized, his face turning ashen.

Xu Miao smiled triumphantly: “I was sent by Master Luo to bring you back—but this unexpected bonus is even better.”

She bowed to Xu Yuan, fist to chest, her chest dipping with the motion.

“Thank you, Master Xu!”

As she rose, her chest trembled again.

“Master Xu, such talent must not be wasted—I’ll personally recommend you to Master Luo!”

Xu Yuan immediately scowled, feigning deep regret.

Xu Miao laughed loudly at Zhu Zhanlei, then turned and left: “I’ll return immediately to discuss this plan in detail with Master Luo!”

She didn’t even bother with Zhu Zhanlei.

Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan stared at each other. Xu Yuan sighed deeply: “Zhanlei, you’ve ruined me!”

Zhu Zhanlei: “...”

Zhu Zhanlei felt something was off, but couldn’t say what.

Too annoyed to think further, he let it go.

“This time, I’m doomed—she’s got me by the throat,” Zhu Zhanlei sighed, waving his hand as he walked off: “I need to prepare—before that woman lures me to my death in Ghost Witch Mountain.”

In a few days, Zhu Zhanlei might suddenly realize what was wrong.

But now, all his thoughts were on how to survive the coming “calamity.”

Even if he realized later, he’d likely dismiss it as overthinking.

After all, what benefit did Xu Yuan gain from this?

And given his nature, if he couldn’t figure it out, he’d just let his mind rest…

Xu Yuan saw Zhu Zhanlei to the gate; at the threshold, Zhu Zhanlei suddenly gritted his teeth: “No—I must make Dafu Lord help me settle this score!”

Dafu shook his head, indicating that once the insects arrived, everything would be fine!

Xu Yuan also feigned hatred toward Xu Miao: “Fine—this matter is up to Dafu!”

…

Xu Miao acted swiftly: that afternoon, Master Luo’s classified request to deploy the “Heming Lu” was sent out.

Within moments, three “Heming Lu” devices arrived almost simultaneously with the two Fu family fourth-ranks.

But no action was taken yet.

This day, Zhu Zhanlei came again, listlessly telling Xu Yuan: “The Fu family really has that technique, but it seems to have many restrictions. The two fourth-rank Fu members are currently communicating with their family.”

“We’ll have to wait a few more days.”

Xu Yuan hadn’t been idle these past few days either.

After Xu Miao said he would recommend Xu Yuan to Luo Gongqiao, Xu Yuan immediately sent a letter to Ma Tianshou.

In the letter, he poured out his grievances.

Old Master Ma naturally understood the boy’s intentions, so he sent an official notice to the Canal Yamen and applied some pressure.

Previously, Xu Yuan had already hinted to Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei that he wanted something in return.

Luo Gongqiao hadn’t summoned Xu Yuan these past few days—he must have already learned Xu Yuan’s stance from the two of them.

Now we’ll see what price Luo my lord is willing to pay.

While waiting for the Fu family’s reply, Xu Yuan did two things, keeping himself very busy.

One was the shop at the dock, which opened with astonishing speed, hanging red lanterns.

Master Xu named it “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.”

He had served as shopkeeper for twenty-three years at a store in northern Cheng.

Half a year ago, his old proprietor passed away; within three months, the young master replaced him with one of the three apprentices he had trained.

Yang Laicai brought wine and food to his old master’s grave, bowed three times with his forehead hitting the ground, thanking his master for two decades of trust.

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

But Miao Yan had him brought over.

Xu Yuan even suspected the old man had changed his name to “Laicai” deliberately, to bring good fortune to his former proprietor.

He was a ninth-rank Wen Xiu who had once passed the provincial examination.

He could write and calculate, and his speech was refined.

The shop’s other owner besides Xu Yuan was Miao Yu.

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

He also agreed with Xu Yuan: no profits for the first three years; then, for the next ten years, at least twenty thousand taels per year would be paid to him.

After ten years, it would be up to fate.

During this time, if any incident occurred on the canal dock’s territory, Miao Yu would handle it.

Overall, Xu Yuan still came out ahead.

But ten years of two hundred thousand taels wasn’t a bad deal for Miao Yu either.

Mostly because Miao Yu trusted Xu Yuan as a person.

The shop dealt in specialty goods from Wushan and Zhancheng.

Whatever you fish up from the canal—if you’re willing to bring it, the shop will buy it!

The second matter was secretly practicing Pi Long’s “Transformation Dragon Method.”

As his Dao progress deepened, the connection between Pi Long, the Dragon Pearl, and the internal artifacts grew ever tighter, showing signs of “merging into one.”

The five internal artifacts Xu Yuan obtained were: an ancient scripture, a bronze mirror, a medicinal essence, a grain ear, and five-colored thread.

The scripture’s pages were all stuck together, impossible to open.

The characters on the cover were blurred beyond recognition.

The bronze mirror was heavily rusted; only faintly could one make out the back pattern—a Kui Dragon design.

The medicinal essence had been burned into a lump; even a Dan Xiu couldn’t identify which herbs it once was.

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

The five-colored thread was tangled into a knot, colors indistinguishable.

Yet their “intended meanings” still persisted.

As they fused, the speed of recovery during Pi Long’s cultivation—whether growth, deformity, or decay—grew ever faster.

The bond between Xu Yuan and Pi Long also became increasingly acute.

Previously, Xu Yuan had to sink his consciousness into Pi Long to control it.

Now he could manipulate it in a state akin to “contemplation,” almost unconsciously.

In short: if he simply thought of Pi Long, it could perform simple actions on its own.

Many other benefits were also slowly emerging.

Only after truly practicing the “Transformation Dragon Method” did Xu Yuan understand its subtleties.

It truly granted one, gradually, the innate abilities of the True Dragon lineage.

Or perhaps one should call them… divine powers?

Fu Shuanghui, Fu Chongjiu, and the Princess Consort each had different strengths.

This was due to their individual differences; they each developed the aspects they favored or excelled in.

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

But Xu Yuan was in no rush to choose a focus for the “Transformation Dragon Method”; he wanted to speak again with his stepmother and Shen Daye.

This time, he would get clear answers about his family’s situation.

Only then could he determine which ability to develop in the “Transformation Dragon Method” to offer the greatest assistance by the Mid-Year Festival.

These past few days of cultivation yielded an unexpected gain.

One night, while Pi Long chased a golden-thread eel in the canal, it accidentally bumped into an iron cage.

The cage, sunk underwater, was as large as three or four houses, filled with strange creatures.

Pi Long hid nearby; the next day, he saw the Fish Guild come to “collect the cage.”

This was the Fish Guild’s method of capturing strange beings.

Pi Long followed their boat and found the Fish Guild’s lair for cultivating evil spirits.

After the Princess Consort’s case is settled, Xu Yuan plans to deal with this immediately.

A few more days passed; the Fu family still gave no sign, but Xu Yuan discovered a problem with the “Transformation Dragon Method”:

The cultivation speed was slowing down!

Pi Long required more and more food daily, yet its progress slowed instead of increasing.

In the canal, Pi Long hunted only eighth- and seventh-rank evil spirits.

It rarely caught sixth-rank ones.

Relying solely on low-rank Dragon-affiliated beings offered diminishing returns for Pi Long’s “Transformation Dragon Method.”

“No wonder—from Fu Shuanghui to Fu Chongjiu to the Princess Consort—all have gone to great lengths to capture stronger Dragon-affiliated beings.”

“The ‘Transformation Dragon Method’ is truly seizing Heaven’s creation—it demands beings of equal or higher rank; consuming them seizes their essence for real advancement.”

“Eating only low-rank ones will make breakthroughs nearly impossible.”

“To raise the level of my ‘Transformation Dragon Method,’ I must find a fifth-rank Dragon-affiliated being. Perhaps… even one fifth-rank won’t be enough.”

Fu Chongjiu’s Dragon Pearl was fifth-rank, his internal artifacts fifth-rank; only Pi Long’s rank was unclear.

But Pi Long was undoubtedly the most bizarre of the three.

After merging, and beginning true cultivation of the “Transformation Dragon Method,” he had only reached sixth-rank.

Xu Yuan was not disappointed.

Xu Yuan knew well: by fusing all three, his foundation was deep and solid.

His future potential was immense.

If he had reached fifth- or fourth-rank immediately after fusion, it would have been false glory.

It might have led to an unstable foundation.

A deep, solid foundation meant each subsequent advancement would require greater fortune and careful reinforcement at every step.

Therefore, Xu Yuan was determined to obtain Xu Miao’s artifact this time!

In the future, Xu Yuan would subtly ask Bai Lao, Gao Guanzi, and others about which high-rank Dragon-affiliated evil spirits lurked in Wushan.

He couldn’t ask directly, lest he reveal secrets.

…

Two more days passed; the Fu family finally sent someone again, bringing the “secret method.”

Xu Yuan was once again summoned by Luo Gongqiao.

Luo Gongqiao had no particular fondness for this young head of the Purification Office.

But Xu Miao had strongly recommended him.

Lately, Luo Gongqiao had placed great trust in Xu Miao.

Thus, upon meeting, Luo Gongqiao brushed his sleeve.

A strange, whiskered insect crawled out, landed on the table, and vibrated its feelers, emitting a continuous low hum.

Luo Gongqiao cut straight to the point: “After this case, I will assign Gao Wanli a crime. Her best outcome will be demotion and transfer.”

The insect was not Xu Yuan’s reward; punishing Gao Wanli was.

The insect’s hum blocked eavesdropping.

If anyone nearby used an artifact to listen in, a piercing sound would instantly rupture their eardrums.

It also prevented all supernatural methods from recording Luo Gongqiao’s words.

Today’s discussions and agreements are merely mutual understanding between us two. If anyone asks, Luo Gongqiao will deny everything.

Xu Yuan shook his head: “I have no objection to Gao Wanli’s stay or departure.”

Even if Gao Wanli remained in Zhancheng, she would not trouble Xu Yuan much.

Luo Gongqiao frowned and added, “You’re a Dan Xiu—I hear you’ve reached the Fifth Flow? Remarkable for your age. I can arrange for you to receive a Fire-Refining scripture from the yamen’s scripture library.”

At the Fourth Flow of Dan Xiu, the fire in the belly can be refined further into different attributes, its power no longer comparable to lower levels.

But Wang Shen should have any Fire-Refining scripture Xu Yuan desires.

Xu Yuan replied bluntly: “No need. I dare not use the yamen’s Fire-Refining scriptures.”

Luo Gongqiao’s face darkened.

This boy was truly a troublemaker.

To his face, he defies me—just like An Chengyuan, who speaks to me with such disrespect.

“What do you want?” Luo Gongqiao asked outright.

If it weren’t for Ma Tianshou backing you, why would I, a senior official, bargain with a mere Zhanglu? I could simply conscript you outright.

If he refuses, I’ll seize him and take him straight to Ghost Witch Mountain!

Xu Yuan replied: “I wish for a Fourth Flow quality material.”

“That’s greedy!” Luo Gongqiao frowned.

I myself struggle to hunt Fourth Flow malevolent spirits—do you just demand one outright?

Xu Yuan added: “If that’s impossible… does the yamen’s treasury hold any discarded Fourth Flow sword pellets?”

Luo Gongqiao thought a moment—yes, the Shanhé Si’s Jiaozhi Office did have one.

A Fourth Flow quality material seemed less valuable than a Fourth Flow sword pellet.

Quality materials require crafting by a Jiang Xiu, adding an extra step—and Fourth Flow Jiang Xiu are hard to find.

But a quality material can be shaped as one wishes.

A discarded Fourth Flow sword pellet is useful only to Dan Xiu.

It merely enhances one’s own sword pellet.

Most Dan Xiu are of low caliber; Fourth Flow ones are exceedingly rare.

To others, it’s just a heavy lump of scrap metal—worse, it might injure them with its lingering sword qi.

Thus, a Fourth Flow quality material is actually far more valuable.

“Fine. I’ll give it to you.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Xu Yuan said with a broad smile, clasping his fists in bow.

Luo Gongqiao shook his head, muttering under his breath: “First arrogant, now obsequious.”

“Do your duty well!” he warned. “Let your performance prove this gift was worth it.”

…

Xu Yuan returned to his courtyard, made simple preparations—Luo Gongqiao had said they would depart at first light tomorrow.

He would take none of his subordinates, but he felt he should bring Da Fu.

Yet after searching the entire courtyard: “Da Fu? Where have you run off to?”

Xu Yuan’s heart sank with a bad premonition: Zhu Zhanlei and Da Fu—one recklessly bold, the other… utterly unaware of how grave the consequences might be!

“Could those two really have gone after Xu Miao…”

Xu Yuan rushed out to find Zhu Zhanlei, but barely had he stepped beyond the gate when he saw Da Fu crouched against a wall, jaws clenched tightly around a dark shadow, trying to drag it from the gutter beneath.

The shadow was long and thin, its surface seemingly scaled.

As Da Fu pulled hard, it twisted back, revealing a human face no larger than a fist, fangs bared, lunging to bite Da Fu’s neck.

(End of Chapter)