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 entire body showed not a single wound—he clearly had his soul stolen.

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 surprising.

He first reported it to the authorities, then carried his buckets to another well farther away to fetch water.

After the officials inspected the scene, they passed the case to the Purification Office.

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

The Purification Office sent a Police Inspector.

Upon learning the dead man was a ninth-rank clerk from the Canal Office, they gave it slightly more attention—but still didn’t disturb the Police Inspector, instead summoning Yu Yunhang.

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

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

By this well stood a half-dead old tree.

On it lived a tree-nose worm spirit, whose favorite pastime was crouching on the branches, 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 purpose in staying within the city was the abundant “worldly qi” here.

It survived and grew by feeding daily on the murky, polluted secular energy of the city.

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

But last night, someone 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 lowly ninth-rank was so weak? I merely sniffed—and his soul left his body, willingly crawling into my nostrils…

The tree-nose worm fled the city in terror that very night.

Yu Yunhang solved the case and issued a symbolic warrant for the tree-nose worm’s capture.

When a city spirit kills someone and escapes, this is always the final disposition.

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

…

Pi Long’s “Sheng Li” could slip unseen into a target’s body.

But if the target was of higher caliber—say, sixth-rank—it was best to subdue them first, or their resistance might kill the Sheng Li.

But Zhang Tong was merely ninth-rank.

Xu Yuan idly waited inside the “Jade Pavilion” for Zhang Tong and the cold beauty, Miss Cui, to finish, then quietly released the Sheng Li.

After controlling Zhang Tong, he learned Zhang Tong’s hidden patrons were the Hejian and An Chengyuan.

Zhang Tong was now useless.

Xu Yuan didn’t want to waste a Sheng Li on him, so he manipulated Zhang Tong to leave at midnight and walk straight into death.

…

Early this morning, the clerks of Yuan Sheng Hao removed their shutters and opened for business.

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

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

When would they arrive today?

Yesterday they extorted twenty taels; today they’d demand even more.

The clerks felt deeply oppressed.

Our proprietor 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 wharf: “Zhang Tong is dead!”

Soon after, the details of how Zhang Tong died spread across the entire wharf 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 blurting out: “No wonder our boss has been holding back—he was saving up for a brutal strike! Hehehe, now who dares bully us on the wharf again…”

As he spoke, a cough came from behind him—Uncle Yang.

“Are you so idle you’ve got nothing better to do than gossip here?”

The clerk shrank his neck, grinning as he wiped the table: “Boss, I’m working right now.”

But he couldn’t resist adding: “Boss, was this really our boss…?”

“Nonsense!” Uncle Yang glared at them all: “Don’t go spreading rumors outside! Zhang… the official died by the hand of a malevolent spirit!”

There are plenty of shops on the wharf with grudges against Official Zhang—why blame us?

Understood?”

All clerks chorused: “Understood!”

But no matter what Uncle Yang said, 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 murdered a Water-Horse Deputy!”

Suddenly, the neighbors became friendly.

In the past, when setting up stalls outside their doors, they’d argue for half a day over who took an extra foot of space.

Now each shop willingly gave Yuan Sheng Hao more room.

The clerks, oppressed for days, finally felt vindicated.

But some privately wondered: Zhang Tong is dead—how could the Hejian Lord let this go?

Everyone on the wharf knew: the Water-Horse Deputy was the Hejian Lord’s dog.

…

The Hejian Lord was indeed furious.

No matter how Zhang Tong died, the Hejian Lord believed Xu Yuan was responsible.

“How bold of this dog!”

“Openly murdering a ninth-rank imperial official!”

Zhang Tong was obedient and efficient.

Such a dog wasn’t easy to find.

But since he was dead, another must be found.

With the Water-Horse Deputy position vacant, many came to court the Hejian Lord, seeking the post.

The Hejian Lord wasn’t in a hurry; competition allowed him to drive up the price.

He had done this many times before.

That night, the Hejian Lord accepted an invitation from a Tongpan of the Zhan City Prefecture, dressed casually, and went to Xie Liu Alley for drinks.

During the meal, the Tongpan mentioned a distant nephew willing to pay a thousand taels for the Water-Horse Deputy post.

The Hejian Lord smiled and evaded the offer.

The price wasn’t low—but he’d hear other bids first.

The Tongpan understood, mentioned it once, then dropped the subject; they shifted to talk of poetry, wine, and beauties, and by late night, each took a girl to his room.

In the room, the girl offered him one final cup of wine to “enhance pleasure,” then prepared for bed.

After drinking it, the Hejian Lord collapsed into sleep and could not be roused.

Master Xu had once bought a wine flask from the Yin-Yang Shop.

The Hejian Lord was sixth-rank.

Once unconscious, Xu Yuan sent the Sheng Li into the Hejian Lord’s body.

It was the same one used on Zhang Tong.

Wasting it on Zhang Tong was pointless—using it on the Hejian Lord was perfect!

…

The shops along the wharf all believed the Hejian Lord wouldn’t let this go—but day after day passed, and Yuan Sheng Hao remained unharmed, its business growing ever more prosperous.

The Hejian Lord showed no reaction whatsoever.

Even days later, the Hejian Lord appointed a new Water-Horse Deputy: a man named Qin Tu.

He was a distant cousin of Qin Ze.

Though Qin Ze had nearly become “Gatekeeper Qin the Elder” in the Purification Office, he was still the first Police Inspector to willingly pledge loyalty to Master Xu.

Though his big mouth often earned him punishment from Master Xu, he still received his due rewards.

As for whether the Hejian Lord could retain his position…

As long as the money was paid, it was no problem.

The Hejian Lord had plenty of money—but he truly didn’t want to spend his own.

Now Master Xu was taking charge—spend freely, and his seat would remain secure.

For Xu Yuan, secretly dismantling the Canal Office was no longer a major matter.

In a place like Zhan City, a “Double Fifth-Rank” could do as he pleased!

At this point, Master Xu was in effect the de facto emperor of Zhan City.

The Prefect’s Ya should not come stirring—otherwise, Xu Yuan won’t mind deploying another shengshi.

Xu Yuan was secretly basking in triumph when his stepmother and Wang Shen came to see him; his stepmother got straight to the point: “Your aunt and I must return home.”

Xu Yuan blinked: “Return? Why the sudden urge?”

“We need to go back early to prepare,” Lin Wan said.

Everyone understood what preparation meant.

Xu Yuan lowered his head, silent for a moment: “Alright…”

Wang Shen was reluctant to leave the child; she brushed her fingers across Ah Yuan’s cheek and said, “If we don’t go back now to prepare, it’ll be too late.”

Xu Yuan said, “My Transformation Dragon Art has already advanced to the Fifth Rank. When you prepare, count my combat strength among you.”

Wang Shen’s eyes lit up: “So fast?”

Xu Yuan nodded.

Lin Wan couldn’t help saying, “Recently, the River Office and the Fu family both learned of it—”

Xu Yuan nodded, smiling.

Words were unnecessary.

Lin Wan studied her stepson carefully, confronting reality for the first time: “You’ve truly grown up…”

From the Princess Consort to Luo Gongqiao, multiple Fourth-Rank cultivators arrived in Zhan City.

Who could have guessed the mastermind behind it all was this seventeen-year-old young master?

The key was, he’d snatched the loot he wanted right from the fire, and his Transformation Dragon Art had smoothly advanced to Fifth Rank.

Xu Yuan ventured, “Is this family matter connected to Master Ruan Tian?”

Lin Wan and Wang Shen both stared in surprise: “You… figured it out?”

Xu Yuan smirked: “Jiaozhi is such a small place. The court would pardon a rebellion—whose sake could it possibly be?”

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

Xu Yuan had long suspected that his family’s affairs were tied to this Master Ruan Tian.

“Our alley must ensure Master Ruan Tian is ‘nailed’ within Ghost Witch Mountain…” Wang Shen suddenly spoke; Lin Wan no longer stopped her.

“Back then, Master Ruan Tian fled into Ghost Witch Mountain with Jiaozhi’s royal robes and jade seal.”

And every dynasty in Jiaozhi had historically been invested by the Central Plains courts.

These royal robes and jade seal were the sacred relics of Jiaozhi’s kingdom, sharing the same lineage as the Ming Dynasty.

Thus, the Ming’s own state relics could not suppress them.

As long as these relics remained in Master Ruan Tian’s hands, He could burst forth at any moment, rally the local tribes to rebel, and restore the Jiaozhi Ruan dynasty.

The court once devised a method: using the ancestral corpses of the Ruan dynasty, bound by bloodline, to trap Him within Ghost Witch Mountain.

But this arrangement must be reinforced every year.

Whenever anything unusual occurs, we must closely monitor whether the seal has weakened.”

Here, Wang Shen paused, then looked slowly at Xu Yuan: “The root of this seal lies in the Yin Realm—not the Yang World. To strengthen it, each year we must pass through the Ghost Gate and walk the Yellow Springs!”

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

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

“Your Grandpa and Uncle Si can’t just fight freely outside the alley either—because we’ve crossed over too often; our bodies bear too much damage.”

Xu Yuan nodded. Wang Shen and Grandmaster Shen must have once been Top-Third Rank.

But now their physical condition was roughly equal to that of the Third-Rank cultivator in Xiang Wangfu .

Wang Shen: “But crossing into Yin isn’t all bad—our alley has far more Top-Third Rank cultivators than the outside world. Can you guess why?”

Xu Yuan: “Also because of crossing into Yin?”

“To advance from Fourth Rank to Third Rank, you must do it in the Yin Realm—never in the Yang World!”

Xu Yuan was stunned again.

This was an absolute secret of the Seven Gates.

Only closest kin were ever told.

“I understand…” Xu Yuan said.

“Try to further elevate your Transformation Dragon Art,” Lin Wan said. “Its resistance to the Yin Realm is the strongest among all techniques.”

Xu Yuan nodded firmly, more determined than ever to raise his Transformation Dragon Art to Fourth Rank before the Seventh Month Festival.

That afternoon, after lunch, Lin Wan and Wang Shen left.

All the private secretaries of the San Niang Association followed Wang Shen back to Shanhe County.

While some of them were emotionally reluctant to leave her, the greater reason was that they had already prepared to “step aside and make way.”

The San Niang Association was now free of its shackles and could expand openly.

Younger generations needed to step up.

The elders were willing to let go and let the likes of Miao Yan take charge.

With Master Xu in charge, nothing would go wrong.

…

With his family gone, Master Xu felt hollow inside.

Several more days of rain followed, deepening the gloom.

The river swelled; a landslide struck Xiao Yushan, burying an entire village.

The Prefect’s Ya scrambled to rescue victims; the River Office struggled against the floods.

Miao Yan had already resumed managing the Fish Guild.

Over these days, the Fish Guild kept catching strange malevolent spirits—fetching good prices—and remained utterly unaware that danger was approaching.

Some of these spirits were offspring of great malevolences from Ghost Witch Mountain.

Xu Yuan entrusted this matter fully to the San Niang Association.

Five days later, the rain finally stopped.

The Purification Office sprang into action.

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 Master hadn’t eaten—Madam had left, and now the Master was alone again.

Lang Xiao Ba went to Wuwei Restaurant to buy wine and dishes; as he entered the office, he heard Zhu Zhanlei and Miao Yu’s voices.

“Come on, come on—what’s the point of sitting alone? I’ll treat you to drinks,” Zhu Zhanlei tugged at Xu Yuan’s sleeve.

Zhu Zhanlei had 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 to just enjoy food, drink, and pleasure?

I’ll swallow this loss this time.

Besides, I’ve already lost Xu Miao’s “Dragon Wart.”

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 inside the office, sipped a few cups, and chatted.

They hadn’t finished when a Captain under Shi Bading rushed in: “Master, Shiping County has sent for help—they’ve discovered a colossal python. It’s come ashore three times already and swallowed eight people…”

“Colossal python?” Xu Yuan’s heart stirred.

Master Xu was seeking another advancement of his Transformation Dragon Art; the only immediate malevolent spirit he could think of that could serve as bait was the… Yin-Yang Python from the old market at Xiao Xi Temple.

But that one was not to be trifled with.

After two days of hesitation, Xu Yuan dismissed the idea, citing “I’ve already swindled it of many treasures—I must be decent.”

Now, a colossal python had suddenly appeared in his jurisdiction—Master Xu’s interest was instantly piqued.

“Bring the man in.”

“Yes, Master.”

Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanlei took their leave.

Soon after, the man from Shiping County was brought in, kneeling humbly below, too timid to raise his eyes to Xu Yuan.

He was merely a yamen runner from Shiping County, subordinate to its magistrate.

His status was far beneath Xu Yuan’s.

“What exactly happened?” Xu Yuan asked.

“Your Excellency, the rain has been constant these past days—this colossal python must have been washed down from Xiao Yushan. Our county never had such a malevolence before.”

“It now dwells in the Little Black River. That river once held a Lion-headed Toad spirit, but since the python appeared, the toad vanished—likely swallowed whole.”

“Three villages lie along the Little Black River. Villagers know it’s haunted and never go near the water.”

“Yet in these three days, the python has come ashore and devoured eight people from those three villages.”

“Our magistrate risked his life to investigate, but the python stared at him from hundreds of zhang away—its gaze poisoned his soul; he collapsed instantly and still hasn’t awakened.”

The man bowed his head repeatedly: “Please, Master, save us! If you refuse to act, soon the entire county will be devoured!”

Lang Xiao Ba stood aside, impatient: “Enough with the bowing. One python can’t eat your whole county!”

The man bowed his head and dared not speak again.

Those who came seeking aid usually did the same—fearing their superiors would refuse to send help, they always exaggerated the danger.

Xu Yuan asked again: “What level is this lion-headed toad?”

“Ninth stream!”

Xu Yuan frowned: “Really? Do you know what happens if you lie to me?”

The man’s eyes darted: “I—I suppose it’s ninth stream. I only heard rumors from the county—I’ve never seen it myself...”

Bang!

Xu Yuan slammed the table and roared: “Fool! Still trying to deceive me?”

The man’s legs buckled and he knelt again: “I dare not!”

“Exactly what level?”

“Ninth... ninth stream.”

“Hmph!” Xu Yuan let out a cold snort.

If the county had a sixth-stream evil, would they still need that giant python to eat people?

That lion-headed toad would’ve devoured every village along the river long ago.

Lang Xiao Ba flew into a rage and reached to grab him: “My lord, this fellow is utterly despicable! He comes begging for our help but lies through his teeth—let me give him a few punches first!”

Xu Yuan raised a hand: “Enough.”

Lang Xiao Ba stepped back, sullen.

The man was now ashen-faced: “My lord, that giant python is truly terrifying—the county simply lacks the strength to exterminate it.”

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, then said: “Xiao Ba, take a squad and accompany me to Shiping County.”

After all, it’s a dragon-affiliated evil—must see it for myself.

Shiping County lies between Zhancheng and Luocheng.

Xu Yuan set out at noon; after everyone mounted their horses, they affixed talismans to the horses’ legs and rode at breakneck speed, entering Shiping County by dusk.

The County Magistrate stood at the county office gate, flanked by his three squads of yamen runners, bowing respectfully.

“Your servant Lu Chengwen welcomes Lord Xu.”

Xu Yuan dismounted without pleasantries and demanded: “Where is the County Liaison?”

“After County Liaison Wei Zhenbang collapsed, his subordinates revived him and he has remained in the county office ever since.”

“Lead the way!”

“Yes.”

The County Magistrate hurried Xu Yuan to the back courtyard of the office and pointed to a quiet chamber: “My lord, he’s inside.”

The County Magistrate opened the door; as Xu Yuan stepped forward, a chilling wind blew from within, making him shiver involuntarily.

The County Magistrate said: “Since Wei Zhenbang collapsed, it’s been like this.”

Xu Yuan nodded and entered, seeing the unconscious County Liaison lying motionless on the bed.

His body was rigid, icy cold.

Cold energy radiated from him.

A lowly servant, clad in a cotton-padded robe, stood beside a brazier, fanning it continuously.

The fire burned fiercely, yet not a trace of warmth could be felt.

Xu Yuan first used the Sight of Fate—it revealed the County Liaison’s life thread had thinned to a mere strand, like a wisp of smoke hovering above his body, trembling, ready to vanish at any moment.

But the Sight of Fate could not reveal the cause.

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

The yin energy was strange—it formed a block of ice that froze Wei Zhenbang without dissipating itself.

Xu Yuan pondered, gripped the Yin-Yang Guillotine, observed closely with his right eye, then gently exhaled a thread of belly fire.

Such a peculiar injury demanded extreme caution.

If anything went awry, Xu Yuan would withdraw immediately.

He could not risk saving him only to kill him.

Xu Yuan controlled the belly fire, thin as a hair.

He touched it to the ice-like yin energy encasing Wei Zhenbang—like a blade, slicing off a sliver.

Once detached, the sliver slowly melted and vanished.

Xu Yuan watched Wei Zhenbang—no change.

Xu Yuan relaxed slightly, then sliced off another sliver with the fire.

After a few moments, he had removed all the yin energy from Wei Zhenbang’s exterior.

Xu Yuan frowned—Wei Zhenbang still showed no change.

No improvement, but no deterioration either.

Since the frozen yin energy was gone, Xu Yuan reasoned his method was correct; after a brief pause, he guided the thread of belly fire into Wei Zhenbang’s ear canal.

Under the fire’s heat, the yin energy within Wei Zhenbang’s body began to slowly dissipate.

Then Xu Yuan unleashed fully—“whoosh!”—the belly fire became a fiery dome, enveloping Wei Zhenbang.

“Ah!” cried the County Magistrate, wanting to stop him but daring not.

He feared this Lord Xu, in his recklessness, might kill Wei Zhenbang.

But after a while, they saw Lord Xu inhale—and all the belly fire surged back into his abdomen.

The chill in the room vanished entirely.

On the bed, Wei Zhenbang’s eyelids fluttered—he opened his eyes and awoke!

The County Magistrate instantly changed tone, gushing praise: “Lord Xu, your skill is miraculous!”

Wei Zhenbang blinked, dazed: “I...” He suddenly noticed Xu Yuan’s official robes and tried to rise and bow, but Xu Yuan stopped him: “Are you well?”

“Your servant is unharmed.”

“Check yourself—body and soul—no lingering damage?”

Wei Zhenbang silently examined himself, then said: “Indeed, no damage. With your personal intervention, I am at ease.”

Yet Xu Yuan felt uneasy—something felt... too simple.

(End of Chapter)