Chapter 404: The Giant Python (Combined Three Parts)

Zhang Tong lay back on the stone slab beside the well, staring at the sky.

A faint, elusive smirk lingered on his face.

His body showed not a single wound—he was clearly a soul stolen away.

A strong servant from a nearby wealthy household discovered him while fetching water at dawn.

The servant wasn't the least alarmed; in these times, finding a corpse by the roadside was nothing to be surprised by.

He first reported it to the authorities, then shouldered his buckets and walked farther to draw water from another well.

After inspection, the authorities passed the case to the Purification Office.

This was clearly the work of a malevolent spirit last night.

The Purification Office sent a Jiao Xiao.

Upon discovering the dead man was a ninth-rank clerk of the Canal Office, they gave it slightly more attention—but not enough to alert the Police Inspector; instead, they summoned Yu Yunhang.

Yu Yunhang investigated briefly and concluded: killed by the tree-nose worm, a malevolent spirit.

The malevolent spirits within the city each had their own territories.

By this well stood a half-dead old tree.

On the tree lived a tree-nose worm spirit, whose favorite pastime was perching atop the tree, watching the people coming and going at the well, imagining how it would suck in their souls with a single sniff and devour them.

But it dared not actually do so.

Whenever someone died beside the well, the Purification Office would kill it.

Moreover, for it, consuming souls was merely "indulgence"—its true reason for staying in the city was the abundant "worldly qi" here.

It survived and grew daily by feeding on the city's murky, vulgar worldly qi.

If it left the human city, it would steadily wither away.

But last night, a man suddenly rushed beneath the tree and taunted and humiliated it.

I ignored him, yet he dared try to kill me!

I had no choice but to fight back.

Who knew such a ninth-rank mortal was so weak—I merely sniffed, and his soul left his body, willingly crawling into my nostrils…

The tree-nose worm fled the city overnight in terror.

Yu Yunhang solved the case and issued a symbolic manhunt notice against the tree-nose worm.

When a city spirit kills someone and escapes, this is always how it ends.

Outside the city, the land is vast, and similar spirits are as countless as hairs—how could one possibly identify the killer?

…

Pi Long's "Sheng Shi" can slip unseen into a target's body.

But if the target is of higher caliber—say, a sixth-rank—it's best to subdue them first, or their resistance might kill the Sheng Shi.

But Zhang Tong was merely a ninth-rank.

Xu Yuan, bored, waited inside the "Feicui Pavilion" for Zhang Tong and Miss Lengfei to finish, then quietly released the Sheng Shi.

After controlling Zhang Tong, he learned that behind him lay the River Supervisor and An Chengyuan.

Zhang Tong was now useless.

Xu Yuan didn't wish to waste a Sheng Shi on him, so he manipulated him to leave at midnight and walk straight into death.

…

The clerks of Yuan Sheng Hao removed their shutters and opened for business this morning.

As they worked, each was distracted, glancing nervously at the street now and then.

The water-horse laborers had been causing trouble for several days straight.

When would they arrive today?

Yesterday they demanded twenty taels; today they'd surely demand even more.

The clerks felt only bitterness and oppression!

Our boss is a high official—why do we endure this humiliation?

But all day, until nearly noon, not a single water-horse laborer appeared on the street.

The clerks were puzzled when a rumor began spreading among the shops along the dock: "Zhang Tong is dead!"

Soon after, the details of how Zhang Tong died spread across the entire dock as if everyone had witnessed it firsthand!

The clerks of Yuan Sheng Hao exchanged glances, unable to suppress their excitement!

One gossipy, frivolous clerk couldn't help but say: "No wonder our boss has been holding back—he was saving up for a brutal strike! Hehehe, from now on, who'll dare bully us on the dock…"

He was still speaking enthusiastically when a cough came from behind him—Uncle Yang's.

"Are you so idle you've nothing better to do than gossip here?"

The clerk shrank his neck and grinned as he wiped the table: "Shopkeeper, I'm working right now."

Then he couldn't resist adding: "Shopkeeper, was it really our boss…"

"Nonsense!" Uncle Yang glared at them all: "Don't go spreading rumors outside! Zhang… my lord died by the mouth of a malevolent spirit!"

There are many shops on the dock with grudges against Zhang my lord—why blame us?

Do you all understand?"

All the clerks chorused: "Understood!"

But no matter what Uncle Yang said, the neighbors immediately suspected Yuan Sheng Hao.

"Yesterday I was certain Yuan Sheng Hao would go under—that shop would change hands—yet now they've outright killed a Water-Horse Deputy!"

Suddenly, the neighbors became friendly.

In the past, when setting up stalls at the door, if one person took an extra foot of space or another lost three feet, they'd argue for half a day.

Nowadays, every family is politely giving Yuan Sheng Hao a little more leeway.

The clerks who had been depressed for several days finally felt vindicated.

But some secretly wondered: Since Zhang Tong is dead, how could River Inspector Lord let this go?

Everyone at this dock knows that the Water and Horse Commissioner is just River Inspector Lord's dog.

River Inspector Lord was indeed very angry.

Regardless of how Zhang Tong died, River Inspector felt it was Xu Yuan's doing.

"What bold dog's courage!"

"Openly murdering a ninth-rank imperial official!"

Zhang Tong was very obedient and capable in his duties.

Such a dog is not easy to find.

But since he is dead, one must find another.

With the Water and Horse Commissioner position, a lucrative post, now vacant, many came to curry favor with River Inspector Lord, seeking to obtain this seat.

River Inspector Lord was not in a hurry; only with people fighting over it could he wait for a better price.

River Inspector Lord was already an old hand at such matters.

That evening, River Inspector Lord accepted an invitation from a Vice Prefect of the Zhan City Prefecture Office, went in plain clothes to Xie Liu Lane, and drank wine.

During the banquet, the Vice Prefect mentioned a nephew of his family who was willing to use one thousand taels of silver to seek the Water and Horse Commissioner position.

River Inspector Lord smiled and brushed it off.

The price was not low, but he still needed to hear quotes from others.

The Vice Prefect understood; after mentioning it once, he said no more. Both sides began chatting about flowers, wind, snow, and moon. After night deepened, both sides each embraced a Miss and returned to their rooms.

Inside the room, that Miss drank one more cup of wine with him that could "aid the mood," then prepared to get into bed.

After River Inspector Lord drank this wine, he fell asleep immediately; no matter how they shouted, he would not wake.

Lord Xu had once bought a wine pot from Yin Yang Zhai.

River Inspector Lord was of the Sixth Flow.

After he was drugged, Xu Yuan sent a Sheng Li into River Inspector Lord's body.

It was the same one used to control Zhang Tong before.

Wasting it on Zhang Tong was a shame; using it on River Inspector Lord was just right!

The shops at the dock all thought River Inspector Lord would not let this go, but after waiting day after day, Yuan Sheng Hao continued to operate perfectly well, and business grew more and more prosperous.

There was no movement from River Inspector Lord's side.

Even a few days later, the Water and Horse Commissioner newly appointed by River Inspector Lord was a man named Qin Tu.

He was a clan cousin of Qin Ze.

Although Qin Ze had almost become "Doorkeeper Qin the Elder" at the Purification Bureau, Qin Ze was, after all, the first Inspector who voluntarily defected to Lord Xu.

Although he often wore small shoes from Lord Xu because of his big mouth, Lord Xu also gave him all the benefits he deserved.

As for whether River Inspector Lord could remain in office...

As long as the money is in place, it is no problem.

River Inspector Lord had plenty of money, but the real him did not want to spend his own money.

Now that Lord Xu decided for him, spending as needed, the seat under his buttocks was very secure.

For Xu Yuan, secretly cleaning up the Canal Office was no longer a big matter.

In a place like Zhan City, a "Double Fifth Flow" can truly do whatever he wants!

At this moment, Lord Xu was actually the de facto local emperor of Zhan City.

If the Prefecture Office dares to provoke him, Xu Yuan would not mind using another Sheng Li.

Xu Yuan was secretly feeling proud and satisfied when, that day, his stepmother and Aunt Wang came to find him together. His stepmother got straight to the point: "Auntie and I have to go back."

Xu Yuan was stunned: "Go back? Why do you suddenly want to go back?"

"We need to go back early to make preparations," Lin Wanmo said.

Everyone understood what preparations were needed.

Xu Yuan lowered his head and remained silent for a moment: "Alright..."

Aunt Wang was reluctant to part with the child; she touched Ah Yuan's face and said, "If we don't go back to prepare now, it will be too late."

Xu Yuan said, "My Dragon Transformation Method has already advanced to Fifth Flow; when you make preparations, count my combat power in."

Light shone in Aunt Wang's eyes: "So fast?"

Xu Yuan nodded.

Lin Wanmo couldn't help but say, "A while ago, the Canal Office and the Fu family found out one after another, it was..."

Xu Yuan nodded and smiled.

Everything was understood without words.

Lin Wanmo seriously sized up her stepson for a moment and faced reality for the first time: "He really has grown up..."

From the Heir's Consort to Luo Gong Bridge, multiple Fourth Flows had descended upon Zhan City.

Who could have thought the mastermind behind it all was this seventeen-year-old young Law Holder right before their eyes?

Crucially, he also snatched a chestnut from the fire, obtained the resources he wanted, and smoothly advanced his Dragon Transformation Method to Fifth Flow.

Xu Yuan probed: "The family matters... are they related to Master Ruan Tian?"

Lin Wanmo and Aunt Wang were surprised together: "You... guessed?"

Xu Yuan snorted: "Southern Jiaozhi is such a small place—how could the court pardon a rebellion, and for whom?"

This was also one reason Xu Yuan was willing to cooperate with the ancient corpse empress against Master Ruan Tian.

Xu Yuan vaguely suspected that his family's affairs were tied to this Master Ruan Tian.

"Our family is tasked with 'nailing' Master Ruan Tian within Ghost Wushan…" Aunt Wang suddenly spoke, and Lin Wanmo no longer intervened.

"Back then, Master Ruan Tian fled into Ghost Wushan carrying the royal robe and jade seal of Southern Jiaozhi."

Yet throughout history, the dynasties of Southern Jiaozhi were mostly enfeoffed by central dynasties.

This royal robe and jade seal were the sacred talismans of Southern Jiaozhi's kingdom, sharing the same lineage as the Ming Empire.

Thus, the Ming Empire's own state talismans could not suppress them.

As long as these items remained in Master Ruan Tian's hands, He could burst forth at any moment, rally the local tribes to rebel, and reestablish the Ruan dynasty of Southern Jiaozhi.

The court once devised a method: using the corpses and bloodlines of past Ruan dynasty ancestors to bind Him within Ghost Wushan.

But this arrangement must be reinforced every year.

Whenever anything happens, we must closely monitor whether the sealing barrier has weakened."

Here, Aunt Wang paused, looking at Xu Yuan slowly: "The root of this barrier lies in the Yin Realm, not the Yang World—so to reinforce it, every year you must pass through the Ghost Gate and walk the Yellow Springs Road!"

Xu Yuan's eyes snapped wide open: So that's it.

Aunt Wang continued: "Everyone in our alley carries Yin energy, because each of us has crossed into the Yin Realm multiple times."

"Your Grandpa and I, and Mao Sishu, cannot freely use our powers outside the alley—we've suffered too much damage from crossing Yin so often."

Xu Yuan nodded. Aunt Wang and Grandpa Shen must have once been Upper Third Stream.

But now their physical condition was much like that of the Third Stream in the Wang Fu.

Aunt Wang: "But crossing Yin isn't all bad—our alley has far more Upper Third Stream cultivators than the outside world. Can you guess why?"

Xu Yuan: "Is it also related to crossing Yin?"

"To ascend from Fourth Stream to Third Stream, you must do it in the Yin Realm—not the Yang World!"

Xu Yuan was stunned again.

This was an absolute secret of the Seven Sects.

Only closest kin would be told.

"I understand…" Xu Yuan said.

"Try to further elevate the Dragon Transformation Art," Lin Wanmo said. "Its resistance to the Yin Realm is the strongest among all methods."

Xu Yuan nodded firmly, more determined than ever to raise the Dragon Transformation Art to Fourth Stream before the Fifteenth of the Seventh Month.

After lunch that day, Lin Wanmo and Aunt Wang left.

All the clerks of San San Nianghui followed Aunt Wang back to Shanhe County.

While part of this was due to their affection for Aunt Wang, the greater reason was that they had already prepared to "step down and make way."

San San Nianghui had now shed its shackles and could expand freely.

Younger generations needed to step up.

The older generation was letting go, allowing Miao Yan's cohort to act without restraint.

With my lord here, nothing will go wrong.

…

With family gone, Xu Yuan felt hollow inside.

Several more days of rain made his mood even more gloomy.

The river swelled, and a landslide struck Little Yu Shan, burying an entire village.

The prefectural office scrambled to rescue victims; the canal administration fought the floods.

Miao Yan had resumed managing the fisher guild.

For days, the fisher guild kept catching strange malevolent spirits, fetching good prices—yet they remained utterly unaware that danger was approaching.

Some of these spirits were offspring of great malevolences from Ghost Wushan.

Xu Yuan entrusted this matter fully to San San Nianghui.

Five days later, the rain finally stopped.

The entire Purification Office grew busy.

During the downpour, countless malevolent spirits had slipped into the city.

These newcomers didn't know the rules—there would surely be a wave of strange cases.

Xu Yuan dispatched all his Captains to patrol rigorously.

At noon, Lang Xiao Ba still worried the lord had no meal—Lady had left, and now the lord was alone again.

Lang Xiao Ba went to Wuwei Restaurant to buy wine and dishes, and upon entering the office, heard Zhu Zhanlei and Behind Miao Yu's voices.

"Come on, come on—what's the point of sitting alone? I'll treat you to wine," Zhu Zhanlei tugged at Xu Yuan's sleeve.

Zhu Zhanlei ultimately failed to join Da Fu in carrying out his "revenge" against Xu Miao.

True, Xu Yuan kept Da Fu tightly watched.

But later, Xu Yuan realized: Zhu Zhanlei lacked the courage.

He truly didn't want to provoke Xu Miao again.

In Zhu Zhanlei's view, isn't it better for this young master to eat, drink, and enjoy himself?

I'll swallow this loss this time.

Besides, I've already lost Xu Miao's "Dragon Sputum."

If I truly made a mortal enemy of her, she'd come back to retaliate… cough, cough—revenge begets revenge, when will it end? This young master won't stoop to her level.

Xu Yuan had been half-hearted about going out anyway; with Lang Xiao Ba bringing back wine and food, they simply ate together in the office, sipped a few cups, and chatted.

They had not even finished eating when a Captain under Shi Bading's command rushed in: "My lord, a messenger from Shiping County has come seeking aid. They report that a giant python has been discovered within the county, has come ashore three times, and has already swallowed eight people..."

"Giant python?" Xu Yuan's heart stirred.

Lord Xu was plotting to advance the Dragon-Transformation Method once more; the only dragon-kin evil spirit he could immediately think of that could serve as bait was the Yin-Yang Python from the Old Market of Little Western Temple.

But that one was not easy to provoke.

After hesitating for two days, Xu Yuan rejected the idea, using the excuse, "I already tricked it out of many treasures; one must still be honest in dealing with people."

Now that a giant python had suddenly appeared in Shiping County under his jurisdiction, Lord Xu immediately felt tempted.

"Bring the man in."

"As you command."

Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanlei took their leave and departed.

Not long after, the man from Shiping County was brought in; he knelt below with utmost reverence, not even daring to raise his head to look at Xu Yuan.

He was merely a Zhancheng Yamen Runner in Shiping County, subordinate to the county officials.

His status and standing were far removed from Xu Yuan's.

"What exactly happened?" Xu Yuan asked.

"Replying to my lord, it has been raining for the past few days; perhaps this giant python rushed down from Little Yu Shan. Our county originally had no such evil spirit.

It has taken up residence in the Little Black River north of the county. That river originally contained a Lion-Headed Toad evil spirit, but since this giant python appeared, the Lion-Headed Toad has vanished without a trace; it must have already entered this giant python's belly.

There are three villages on both banks of the Little Black River. The villagers all know there is an evil spirit in that river and do not usually go near the riverbank lightly.

Even so, over these three days, that giant python has still charged ashore and swallowed a total of eight people from the three villages!

Our magistrate risked his life to go and investigate, but the giant python, from several hundred zhang away, merely glared at him with its eyes, causing poison to enter his soul; he collapsed on the spot and has not yet awakened."

Upon saying this, the man began to kowtow repeatedly: "I beg my lord to save us! If my lord refuses to act, I fear that sooner or later the entire population of our county will be eaten clean by that evil spirit!"

Lang Xiao Ba stood aside and said impatiently, "Enough, stop kowtowing. Can a single giant python eat an entire county's population?"

The man then became obsequious and dared not speak another word.

Those who come from below to seek aid are mostly like this; fearing their superiors will refuse to send people, they exaggerate the situation to make it seem more severe and critical.

Xu Yuan asked again, "What level is that Lion-Headed Toad?"

"Sixth Rank!"

Xu Yuan frowned: "Truly? If you dare to deceive this official, do you know what the consequence will be?"

The man's eyes darted: "It should, it should be Sixth Rank. This humble one also heard it from rumors in the county; I have not, I have not seen it with my own eyes..."

Bang!

Xu Yuan suddenly slammed the table and shouted, "Fool! You still wish to deceive this official?"

The man's legs went soft, and he fell to his knees again: "This humble one dares not."

"What rank is it, truly?"

"Nine, Ninth Rank."

"Hmph!" Xu Yuan let out a cold snort.

If there were a Sixth Rank evil spirit in the county, would they need that giant python to eat people?

That Lion-Headed Toad would have long ago eaten the villages along the river clean.

Lang Xiao Ba grew angry and reached out to grab him: "My lord, this rascal is truly detestable! He comes begging for our help to save his life, yet his mouth is full of lies. Let me first reward him with a few punches."

Xu Yuan raised a hand: "Enough."

Lang Xiao Ba withdrew, still resentful and indignant.

The man was now so terrified his face was as pale as earth: "My lord, that giant python is indeed terrifying; the county truly lacks the power to exterminate it."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Ba, take a squad of brothers and follow this official to Shiping County."

After all, it is a dragon-kin evil spirit; we must go and take a look.

Shiping County lies between Zhan City and Luo City.

Xu Yuan departed at noon. After everyone mounted their horses, they pasted talismans on the horses' legs; then, moving with the speed of flight, they entered Shiping County by evening.

The Magistrate, accompanied by the three classes of Zhancheng Yamen Runners, stood respectfully at the county yamen gate to welcome them.

"Your humble servant Lu Chengwen respectfully welcomes Lord Xu."

Xu Yuan dismounted, made no small talk or pleasantries, and asked directly: "Where are the county officials now?"

"After County Official Wei Zhenbang fell into a coma, he was rescued by his subordinates, the Zhancheng Yamen Runners, and has remained within the county yamen ever since."

"Lead the way!"

"Yes."

The Magistrate quickly led Xu Yuan to the rear courtyard of the county yamen, then pointed to a quiet room and said: "My lord, he is right inside."

The Magistrate opened the door for Xu Yuan. Just as Xu Yuan was about to enter, a chill cold air blew out from inside the room, causing Xu Yuan to shiver involuntarily.

The Magistrate said, "It has been like this ever since Wei Zhenbang fell into a coma."

Xu Yuan nodded and walked in, seeing the unconscious county official lying on the bed with his eyes tightly shut.

His entire body was stiff and completely cold.

Cold air emanated from his body.

A laborer wearing a cotton-padded jacket was guarding a stove, fanning it continuously.

The firewood in the stove burned vigorously, yet not a shred of warmth could be felt.

Xu Yuan first used the Gaze of Fate; this county official's fate had already dwindled to a thin thread, hanging above his body like a wisp of green smoke, drifting aimlessly, ready to be completely extinguished at any moment.

But the Gaze of Fate could not reveal what exactly was wrong with him.

Xu Yuan then gripped the Yin-Yang Guillotine; this time, he saw Wei Zhenbang, both body and soul, frozen solid by heavy yin energy.

This yin qi was quite strange; it was like a block of ice that froze Wei Zhenbang yet did not dissipate itself.

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, held the Yin-Yang Guillotine, observed closely with his right eye, then opened his mouth and gently exhaled a wisp of fire from his belly.

Such a bizarre injury must be handled with extreme caution.

If anything changed, Xu Yuan would immediately stop.

He did not want to fail to save the man and instead cause Wei Zhenbang's death.

Xu Yuan controlled the fire from his belly until it was as fine as a hair.

It landed on the ice-like yin qi surrounding Wei Zhenbang; like a sharp blade, it sliced off a "block" of yin qi.

Once this block of yin qi detached, it slowly melted and then dissipated.

Xu Yuan stared at Wei Zhenbang; Wei Zhenbang showed no change.

Xu Yuan felt slightly reassured and used the fire to slice off another block.

After performing this for a while, all the yin qi surrounding Wei Zhenbang had been shaved away.

Xu Yuan frowned, for Wei Zhenbang still showed no change.

There was no improvement, yet no deterioration either.

But with all the frozen yin qi cut away, Xu Yuan privately thought his treatment method must be correct; after a brief pause, he let that wisp of fire from his belly seep into Wei Zhenbang's ear canal.

Under the scorching of the flames, the yin qi inside Wei Zhenbang's body also began to slowly dissipate.

Then Xu Yuan let loose, and with a "Whoosh," the fire from his belly transformed into a fire dome that covered Wei Zhenbang.

"Ah!" the Magistrate cried out, wanting to intervene yet daring not.

He worried greatly that this Lord Xu would act recklessly and instead cause Wei Zhenbang's death.

But after a while, he saw Lord Xu open his mouth and inhale; all the fire from his belly rolled back into his abdomen.

The chill within the room was swept away completely.

Wei Zhenbang on the bed twitched his eyelids, opened his eyes, and woke up!

The Magistrate immediately changed his tune and flattered him greatly: "Lord Xu's skill is miraculous!"

Wei Zhenbang looked dazed: "I..." He suddenly saw the official robes on Xu Yuan and hurriedly tried to rise from the bed to pay his respects, but Xu Yuan stopped him: "Are you well?"

"This humble official is unharmed."

"Check yourself again; are your body and soul both fine?"

Wei Zhenbang silently checked himself, then said: "Indeed, there is no problem. Since Lord You personally intervened, this humble official feels very reassured."

Xu Yuan was somewhat puzzled: He felt... it shouldn't be this simple.

(End of this chapter)