Chapter 54: Violation

Are you blocking me outside the alley?

Xu Yuan silently rejoiced—he was glad he had decisively gone to the Cleansing Office.

The horses suddenly panicked; these two must have caused it.

They’re lying in wait here, but can’t see inside the carriage, afraid I’m hiding inside to slip past.

Yan Lao’s fingers twitched slightly, already calculating a vague result; his salt-and-pepper eyebrows furrowed: “Not far now. Let’s walk.”

Staying inside the carriage blinds you to what’s outside, making you vulnerable to ambush.

Fu Jingyu and Song Lu immediately understood; they split to either side, shielding Xu Yuan in the center, while Yan Lao brought up the rear. The four of them walked steadily toward River Works Alley.

Song Lu’s jade hand never left the hilt of her blade.

After the four passed, the two men in front of a roadside stall changed expression: “The bastard’s teamed up with the Cleansing Office—hurry, report to Brother Big—”

“I saw it all.” Xing Guolong’s voice came from behind them.

They spun around quickly: “Brother.”

Xing Guolong had been watching their backs, his jaw muscles bulging repeatedly with fury.

What he truly feared was the old man.

If it were only those two young captains, we’d kill them all. So what if they’re from the Cleansing Office? How many captains die in service each year?

“Go back first.”

The group returned dejectedly to the carriage inn; Lao Si couldn’t help saying: “Brother, let me handle this!”

Xing Guolong was startled: “Are you sure?”

Both Xing Guolong and Lao Ba were Seventh-Flow cultivators; the other Seventh-Flow in the group was Lao Si.

Lao Si was a Law cultivator, but he practiced an extremely violent and obscure technique: “Violation!”

A “Law” that defies all worldly logic, rules, and perception.

Its power is terrifying, but the cost is equally staggering.

Every act of defiance against common sense during casting rebounds upon the Law cultivator himself!

The last time Lao Si used this technique, he lost his liver and both eyes! There’s no strong hand among them comparable to Yan Xiu.

Only after Chen Master summoned a Fourth-Flow Alchemy cultivator was he restored to full health.

But at that time, Chen Master was still a powerful fourth-rank official in the Northern Capital, not yet demoted to the Southern Capital.

Now, Chen Master has retired and returned home—he’s even worse off than during his Southern Capital days.

“I’m sure.” Lao Si, having made his decision, was strangely calm: “Didn’t I take up this Law precisely because I had nothing to lose, and wanted to gamble everything?”

Chen Master hasn’t said a word, but after being with him so long, we can guess what big thing he and his people are planning.

If it succeeds, we’ll all rise to glory!

Brother, if I don’t survive this, please take care of my wife and my one son and two daughters. When you’re rich and powerful later, don’t forget Lao Si’s sacrifice today.”

“Violation” requires little to cultivate, but the process is exceptionally dangerous and agonizing.

Only one in a hundred who attempt it succeed.

Most who try end up becoming malevolent spirits.

Xing Guolong pressed his shoulder firmly—this was tacit approval—but still said: “It’s not that dire yet. The boy’s with the Cleansing Office, but that old man won’t guard him forever. Once he’s alone, we still have our chance.”

Lao Si only replied: “I’ll go prepare.”

…

Xu Yuan opened the gate and entered the courtyard; his stepmother emerged at the sound, eyeing Yan Lao and the others with faint suspicion.

Xu Yuan introduced them warmly: “These three are all officials from the Cleansing Office.”

Then he introduced Lin Wan to them: “This is my mother.”

Give her, Lin Wan, face in front of outsiders!

Song Lu’s eyes widened: Your mother?! So young?

Xu Yuan explained: “My father’s second wife.”

Song Lu finally understood. Fu Jingyu asked: “Where’s the item?”

“Follow me.”

Xu Yuan was about to enter the house when his stepmother gently tugged him. He gave her a reassuring glance and smiled before stepping inside.

Xu Yuan pulled out everything he’d taken from Qiao Ziaang’s study from under the bed: “It’s all here.”

Fu Jingyu took them first, examined each item carefully, then passed them to Yan Lao: “Your inspection, sir.”

Yan Lao carefully sifted through the items on the table—when suddenly a head leaned in from the side…

Huh?!

Xu Yuan also wanted to take another close look—perhaps he’d missed something among these items.

Yan Lao glanced at him; Xu Yuan beamed back with a huge smile: “Old man, have you figured anything out?”

Yan Lao was speechless. Am I supposed to discuss this with you? I told you to step back! This kid is… He wanted to scold him, but the boy looked utterly harmless—and Yan Xiu, the famed kindhearted official of Jiaozhi South Office, found himself unable to speak sharply.

Fine. Let him look. After all, these are his own things.

His stepmother felt uneasy beside them; like Wang Shen, she disapproved of Xu Yuan associating with the Cleansing Office.

She thought to herself: After they leave, I must have a serious talk with Xu Yuan.

Yan Lao re-examined the items carefully, and soon noticed something odd. But he said nothing, packed everything away, and said: “Let’s return.”

Fu Jingyu and Song Lu rose to leave.

Xu Yuan’s mind buzzed—this old man must have seen something, but won’t tell me.

“Old Man Yan, if I remember anything else, should I come to the county office to find you?” Xu Yuan suddenly asked.

Yan Lao had already reached the door; he paused, thought, then said: “Come back with us to the county office first. We may have more questions for you.”

“Of course!” Xu Yuan immediately followed.

His stepmother grew anxious: “Xu Yuan…”

Xu Yuan turned back and said firmly: “Wait for me at home.”

He stressed the words “at home,” implying she must not leave.

Chen Master’s men might still be watching outside; it’s safest for her to stay in the alley.

…

When Xu Yuan stepped out of the alley, he used “Wang Ming” to scan and indeed saw an Eighth-Flow cultivator sitting in a restaurant by the street.

After they left, the Eighth-Flow cultivator immediately rose and rushed back to the carriage inn at top speed.

“The boy’s out—he’s moving with the Cleansing Office people. Looks like they’re heading to the county office.”

Lao Si took a deep breath: “We can’t wait any longer. If they return to the county office, they may not come out today—and even if they do, given how much the Cleansing Office values him, they’ll likely escort him back.”

Lao Ba added: “Brother, this stretch of road to the county office may be our last chance!”

Xing Guolong gritted his teeth: “Fine. Move! Lao Si, rest assured—I’ll beg Chen Master on my knees. I’ll do everything to save you.”

Lao Si only stared at him without moving.

Xing Guolong raised his hand in oath: “If you don’t survive this, I, Xing Guolong, will care for your family. If I break this vow, may I be haunted by horrors all my life and die a violent death in the wilderness!”

Lao Si finally slapped his thigh and stood: “Let’s go.”

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Today’s auspicious advice: Eat dumplings, dip in vinegar.

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(End of Chapter)