Chapter 165: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Escort guards often travel north and south, covering vast regions, so they naturally possess a wealth of knowledge and hearsay.

Because of this, whenever an escort team stops at an inn, people of the jianghu love to talk to the guards, inquiring about news from along the road.

Although Jinmen is not far from the capital, news of the Heaven Heart Sect rebels assassinating the Emperor had not yet spread there. Today, however, Xu Qing and Second Master Feng got the scoop fresh from the guards.

"It's a strange business. Lately, there's been constant thunder in the capital, and it's been clear-sky thunder at that! The Celestial Master's Mansion has such a grand reputation, yet the main hall was struck by heavenly lightning, leaving a massive hole. I hear they've only just finished patching it up." The gold-badged guard smacked his lips, seemingly trying to forcibly link the abnormal celestial phenomena in the capital with the assassination of the "dog emperor."

After all, the Celestial Master's Mansion is backed by the Imperial House. If the Mansion is struck by heavenly lightning, doesn't that mean the Imperial House's fortune has also run into trouble?

The gold-badged guard before them is good in every way; whenever they encounter trouble while escorting, he truly steps up. It's just that he has no gatekeeper for his mouth—he dares to say anything.

Is he doing it on purpose? Not really. To put it bluntly, the man is just a crude martial artist, missing a vital string in his brain.

The escort agency head, fearing he might spout more treasonous remarks, interrupted him and began talking about business matters.

Once the group's enthusiasm for conversation waned, the agency head took the opportunity to rise and take his leave, leading the escort team away from Second Master Feng's residence.

Seeing that there were no outsiders left, Second Master Feng pulled Xu Qing over to the goods he had just transported, inviting him to appreciate the priceless antiques, calligraphy, and paintings together.

"These are all things from the previous dynasty and earlier. Look at this birdcage; it is said that during the Xi Dynasty, Southern Yan presented a pair of canaries to Emperor Hongming, and this is the cage used to house those precious birds."

"It just so happens that it can serve as a new home for Big Uncle."

A birdcage worth a thousand gold pieces, used to house a chicken?

Xu Qing looked at the glittering birdcage inlaid with agate and gemstones, wondering if this chicken of his was also trimmed in gold.

If the birdcage had sentience, it would probably wish it had simply rotted away in the workshop.

The two chatted about the birdcage, completely disregarding whether Jin Luan and Big Uncle were willing to stay inside it.

"Second Master, I came to see you today because I actually have a matter to discuss."

Second Master Feng didn't think too much of it. Hearing that Xu Qing had a matter, he hurriedly greeted him: "Look at you, you're here keeping me company with idle chatter even when you have business. Speak up quickly; as long as your brother can help, I'll certainly lend a hand!"

No wonder people say that among the circle of playboys, the Second Master is the most righteous. Just look at his temperament—how magnanimous.

"Actually, this matter..." Xu Qing had just wanted to say he came for the Second Master's sake, but as the words reached his lips, he changed his tune.

"Second Master, do you trust me?"

"Look at what you're saying. We're in the same circle, and you haven't helped me little. Last time the escort agency had trouble, you even helped perform a ritual."

"If I don't trust you as a friend, should I go trust the guy selling fake medicine on the dry bridge?"

"Whatever the matter is, just speak up!"

Xu Qing felt happy inside. Second Master Feng was timid, but with these words as a foundation, the following matters would be easy to handle.

"Second Master, since that's the case, you must listen to me from now on. I won't say anything else, but I can guarantee one thing: I definitely won't harm you!"

Second Master Feng didn't think anything was wrong at first, but when Xu Qing opened Big Uncle's cage in front of him and had Jin Luan take Big Uncle away, the Second Master panicked completely.

"Hey, wait! Brother Xu, this joke isn't funny. Your elder brother here is timid, don't scare me!"

"Second Master, don't be afraid. The more afraid a person is, the stronger the qi of those evil spirits becomes." Xu Qing comforted him: "Second Master, don't worry about Big Uncle. I'm just letting Jin Luan take it out for some fresh air. I see it staying in the cage all day, it must be quite stifled..."

Was I worried about it?

Now it's not stifled anymore, but I'm the one who can barely breathe!

Second Master Feng said anxiously: "With Big Uncle here, that harmful thing doesn't dare to come over. If it senses that Big Uncle is gone, it will definitely come to wreak havoc."

"How powerful was that benefactor who practiced shamanism? What was his end? He died without a whole corpse! Not a single piece of good flesh was left; it was all eaten by bugs."

"Brother Xu, take my advice. If we go find the chicken now, there's still time!"

Xu Qing pulled over a grand armchair, rotating walnuts in his hand, and sat down as if nothing were the matter.

"Didn't the Second Master say you trust me? Then I must live up to that trust. Second Master, don't be afraid. Let's have a chat. Perhaps after all these years, that dirty thing has already run off without a trace."

Second Master Feng sighed and could only sit in the hall and wait quietly.

In the reception hall, the water clock ticked away. Outside the threshold, sunlight cast shifting shadows. By now, some time had passed since Jin Luan and Big Uncle left, and Second Master Feng, feeling uneasy, picked up a teacup.

But just as he lifted the lid and was about to blow the foam away to take a sip, a black-gold bug suddenly crawled out from the edge of the teacup.

Then came a second, a third...

"Ah!" Second Master Feng felt his scalp tighten, and a layer of goosebumps rose on the back of his hands.

Almost subconsciously, he threw the teacup away, and the sound of shattering porcelain followed immediately.

Xu Qing looked in the direction of the sound and saw a pile of inch-long thin bugs crawling out from the broken porcelain.

This was truly a life-threatening situation. Second Master Feng jumped onto the table, wishing he could climb up the pillar to the rafters!

Xu Qing frowned, his eyes turning pitch black as if thick ink had been dripped into them.

Under the gaze of the Yin Pupil of the Heavenly Eye, those shadowy things from the underworld were all captured in his sight.

Xu Qing saw several transparent silk threads connecting from outside the hall to the inside. Those veins, resembling human meridians, were connected precisely to the shattered teacup.

Besides the teacup, branches of the threads were connected to the roof and the gaps in the tables and chairs. The thickest thread was connected to none other than Second Master Feng, who was hiding on the table.

"Brother Xu, you have great skills. Think of a way quickly! My body is itching terribly; I'm afraid that dirty thing has already possessed me!"

Second Master Feng tore open his jacket, and saw a circle of red dots on his chest. Beneath the red dots, it seemed as if thin bugs were burrowing under his skin.

The sight before him made Second Master Feng recall the tragic scene of his entire family being gnawed into empty shells by bugs.

"My life is over!"

Second Master Feng's face was as pale as paper. Trembling, he said: "Brother Xu, if you can't think of a way, I won't blame you. I only ask that you give me a quick end, perform a decent ritual for me later, and get me a good coffin that bugs can't chew through..."

Xu Qing frowned as he looked at the bugs and suddenly said: "Second Master, open your mouth!"

Before Second Master Feng could react, Xu Qing had already reached out, taken out a pill the size of a pigeon egg, and forcibly stuffed it into the Second Master's mouth.

That was a Myriad Spirit Pill, capable of curing a hundred illnesses and neutralizing a hundred poisons.

This pill lived up to its name and could be used in different scenarios. For instance, if placed in a bowl of water mixed with arsenic, it could neutralize the poison.

If fed to someone on the verge of death, it could grant them one last breath to settle their affairs. If fed to someone dying of illness, it could make them fully recover!

Even for those with unspeakable ailments, one pill could restore their vigor.

Not long after Second Master Feng took the pill, his whole body felt as hot as fire. On his chest, the poisonous bugs that were burrowing under his skin all turned around and fled outward.

Before long, seven brightly colored bugs covered in spotted patterns crawled out from Second Master Feng's chest.

Xu Qing was quick-handed; he took out the Thousand-Bug Gu Jar, lifted the lid, and captured the poisonous bugs that were spreading their fleshy wings and trying to escape.

The Thousand-Bug Gu Jar is a container for cultivating a Gu King, capable of holding thousands of poisonous bugs at once. Once the bugs are put in, they lose their minds and kill and devour each other. Only the one that survives to the end is the Gu King.

Xu Qing didn't know the names of these bugs or what they did, but putting them into the Gu jar to raise Gu was never wrong.

Regardless of what kind of bugs they were, the one that survived would definitely be the most powerful Gu bug. Before that, he didn't need to waste effort distinguishing them.

After dealing with the poisonous bugs on Second Master Feng, Xu Qing turned to collect all the other bugs crawling around the hall into the Gu jar.

After finishing all this, Xu Qing took out a golden rooster feather, chanted the invocation to summon the immortals, and burned incense. Before long, Jin Luan flew down from outside the courtyard wall with Big Uncle, flapping its wings.

Xu Qing turned back and instructed: "I already know where this harmful thing is hiding. Second Master, just stay here and don't walk around. I'll be back shortly!"

Calling for Jin Luan, Xu Qing opened his Yin Pupil again.

Big Uncle had been gone for less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and yet Gu bugs had already appeared in Second Master Feng's home. This showed that the thing Second Master Feng offended had been watching nearby the whole time; otherwise, it would never have reacted so quickly.

Following the transparent silk threads communicating with the poisonous bugs in the air, Xu Qing climbed over several courtyard walls and followed the alley straight to the house at the very end.

Once he arrived, Xu Qing pondered for a moment and simply brought out the paper-person funeral procession he had crafted earlier.

Those skilled in using Gu have many insidious and vicious methods. Sometimes you don't know how many types of Gu bugs the opponent has raised, or what characteristics these bugs have.

Like the Bone-Eroding Bugs of the Southwest, the Black Blood Bats, and the Dream-Catching Spiders and Corpse-Eating Beetles that had appeared in the Ancient Path of the Yin River, there was no shortage of poisonous bugs that targeted corpses.

These bugs, let alone ordinary people, even Xu Qing, this zombie, felt uncomfortable just hearing about them.

These bugs might not be able to pierce the defense of a Silver-Armored Corpse, but if they crawled onto his body, it would still be disgusting.

Jin Luan didn't know what was going on. When the thirty-two paper spirits carried the paper sedan out from the alley, Xu Qing lifted the sedan curtain and let Jin Luan go in to play the "big boss" for once.

Jin Luan feared no evil spirits; even seeing the paper people and paper sedan didn't make it feel afraid.

However, when it heard Xu Qing tell it to sit in the sedan and act like a boss, and that there would be bugs to eat later, Jin Luan became somewhat hesitant.

Could a man who plucks feathers from passing geese and slaps every dog that passes by be that kind-hearted?

Jin Luan was unwilling from the bottom of its heart; it always felt the other party was up to no good, but unfortunately, Xu Qing was its meal ticket now.

When one is under another's roof, how can one not bow one's head?

You have to know that Yizhen would never buy bugs for it to eat, let alone catch them...

Grumbling and unwilling, it accepted the task Xu Qing assigned. Jin Luan stepped into the sedan, and the next instant, a gust of yin wind lifted it. The paper people carried the paper sedan and floated lightly into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, a person was sitting cross-legged on the ground, shaking a bell and chanting.

Beside the bell-shaker, there were earthen jars of all sizes.

The August weather was sweltering, yet the owner of this courtyard was wearing thick robes, wrapped tightly in layer after layer, and even wore a veil like the paper people, looking just like a freshly wrapped zongzi!

Controlling the paper people, besides seeing the other party's strange attire, Xu Qing also saw the earthen jars in the courtyard used for cultivating bugs.

"Who are you people?!"

The Gu master in the thick gray robe looked suspiciously and fearfully at the suddenly visiting team of paper people.

In broad daylight, his carefully cultivated Gu bugs had suddenly lost contact, which was enough to panic him. As a result, before he could even catch his breath, this group of underworld things had arrived in his courtyard.

Who could stand this!

While the Gu master stared fixedly at the paper people and the paper sedan, the paper people controlled by Xu Qing were also sizing him up.

So, the thing wreaking havoc on Second Master Feng was such a character.

The underworld trade is a side path, and there are all kinds of people in it. But an underworld practitioner who kills an entire family, and even after only one lone seedling is left in the house, still pursues them relentlessly, even living in the same alley and looking for opportunities day and night to cut the weeds and dig up the roots—this was the first time Xu Qing had seen such a person.

How much hatred and resentment must there be!

Seeing that the paper people in front of him didn't speak and there was no movement in the paper sedan, the Gu master leaned on his cane and stood up, supporting his body.

"I understand. You are the helper hired by that Feng fellow. No wonder the bugs I raised never returned; it turns out you were the one ruining my good deeds."

As he spoke, the Gu master suddenly shook the cane in his hand.

There was a string of bells tied to the cane. When the chaotic bell sounds rang out, colorful poisonous smoke began to emerge from the earthen jars on the ground.

In the smoke, flying insects darted toward the paper spirits, while various centipedes and crawling insects covered the ground like a tide, surging toward the paper sedan.

Xu Qing wanted to test the power of these Gu bugs, so he controlled one paper person to meet the bug tide first.

Countless crawling insects and armored flying insects submerged the paper person. Xu Qing swung the paper knife with all his might, but he couldn't eliminate the bugs that kept coming one after another.

After about four or five breaths, Xu Qing discovered that "he himself" had many tooth holes from the bugs' gnawing.

Insects are naturally the bane of paper. Even refined paper people can hardly withstand the constant gnawing of a certain number of Gu bugs.

After understanding the paper people's flaws, Xu Qing stopped testing.

Beside the paper sedan, the paper spirit that had been guarding the sedan door decisively lifted the curtain. The next moment, Jin Luan, who could no longer hold back, lunged straight at those bugs.

The Gu master watched as the paper sedan was lifted, thinking some underworld expert was sitting inside, but it turned out to be a golden rooster with green-glowing eyes lunging out!

The Gu master watched as the chicken entered the scene as if no one were there, eating bugs as if it were eating snacks. He couldn't sit still anymore.

This wasn't a restaurant; how could it withstand this kind of gluttonous eating?

"I don't care who you are. You can help him for a while, but you can't help him for a lifetime. I've noted down this debt today!"

The Gu master looked hatefully at the unreasonable golden chicken, and then he opened his mouth and swallowed a Gu bug.

After taking the bug, the Gu master, who had been hunched over and needed a cane to walk, immediately moved as fast as flying.

But just as he jumped onto the wall and was about to escape the courtyard, an evil ghost, half a head taller than the wall, suddenly appeared outside!

The Gu master was so scared he almost fell off the wall. Where did so many underworld things come from in this courtyard!

The four Chang Generals, guarding the four directions, each held one side of the courtyard wall. Just as the Gu master jumped onto the wall, the Chang General's bone claws, as large as a millstone, slapped down on his head.

Accompanied by a dull, loud thud, the wall built of blue bricks collapsed with a roar.

In the ruins, the Gu master lay in the pile of bricks and stones, twitching for a while before he completely lost all signs of life.

(End of Chapter)