Chapter 337: Rat-Chasing Pill

"It really is this kid…"

Li Yan didn't recognize Shen Shen Jingcan, but he found him familiar; after all, years of wandering the rivers and lakes had sharpened his eyesight beyond ordinary men.

Moreover, this kid had flapping ears and triangular eyes—very conspicuous.

As the saying goes: "Men fear flapping ears, women fear exposed nostrils."

The physiognomy texts state that such a face lets wind leak from the mouth, indicates intense jealousy, a fondness for gossip and slander, and often brings trouble—hence it's called "flapping ears, family ruin."

If that were all, it might be bearable—but he also has triangular eyes.

People like this are usually cruel, suspicious, and deeply calculating.

With both traits, he's almost certainly no good.

But this kid is from the Shen family—over there they're holding a funeral; why did he sneak off here?

At that moment, Li Yan's heart tightened; he swiftly dodged behind a large tree and suppressed his aura.

At the same time, the old Daoist looked up, saw nothing amiss, then turned back and said: "When we arrive, don't speak out of turn. Whatever I tell you to do, you do."

Shen Shen Jingcan bowed low and asked cautiously: "Master, why have you never mentioned this person before?"

The old man glanced at him. "Wandering the rivers and lakes, one always makes friends. Don't worry—I'm old, with no descendants; I must have someone to care for me in my final years."

"Master, I didn't mean it that way…"

Shen Shen Jingcan quickly smiled apologetically, his heart easing.

He had already persuaded his father to retrieve the map, memorized the location, then slipped away—but now this old ghost wanted to change plans and find help, naturally stirring his suspicions.

When the old ghost said that, he felt much more at ease.

For years, the old ghost had lived alone in a ruined temple, lonely and destitute, even relying on Shen Shen Jingcan to bring him rice and grain.

Three years of companionship couldn't possibly mean he'd betray him…

As they spoke, the two grew farther and farther away.

After they left, Li Yan stepped out from behind the tree, eyes half-lidded: "Strong spiritual awareness."

"What kind of technique is that?"

Lu San sidled up, curious.

Just now, he too had felt a gaze—as if some kind of intent had swept over them with the line of sight.

Luckily they'd hidden fast; otherwise, they'd have been spotted already.

"Not a technique."

Li Yan frowned. "More like a rare special spiritual power—fusing the Eye of Perception with spiritual awareness."

"In any case, be careful—Baihe Bay is definitely strange!"

…………

On the other side, Shen Shen Jingcan and the old man neared the village.

It was a small riverside village built along the hills, surrounded by vast terraced rice paddies around weathered, ancient homes.

Compared to Shen Family Dam, it was clearly much poorer; many villagers' houses had peeling walls, likely unrepaired for years.

Shen Shen Jingcan looked around curiously.

He'd heard of this village—it was destitute, its people without kilns, generations of peddlers traveling the streets and alleys of Ezhou.

They earned little money and held low status.

Especially in this village, not a single scholar had ever passed the imperial exams.

Before they even reached the village, an old farmer working in the fields straightened up, wiped sweat from his brow, and smiled: "Master Daoist, where are you from?"

"Wu Liang Shou Fu."

The old Daoist bowed respectfully and said calmly: "I've come to visit a friend. Is White Peak around?"

"Old White the blacksmith?"

The old man chuckled. "I saw him just today—over by the eastern village entrance. Go to his house, you'll find him."

"Thank you, good layman."

The old Daoist bowed again, then left with Shen Shen Jingcan.

No sooner had they gone than the old farmer's expression turned cold; from a hidden cage beside his tools, he pulled out a homing pigeon.

He scribbled a few lines quickly, stuffed them into a bamboo tube, and hurled it upward.

Whoosh!

The pigeon took flight, racing ahead into the village and landing in the courtyard of a large ancestral home, where a pair of hands caught it and removed the paper slip.

This ancestral home was the main White family residence.

Far older than the Shen family mansion, it lacked ornate carvings and decorations—simple and plain.

The man who caught the pigeon was a middle-aged man with a full beard.

Seeing the writing on the slip, he immediately rose and whispered to a servant nearby: "Old Master Wu has brought the target. I'll go meet him—inform the chief."

Saying this, he hurried out the door, tearing off his shirt halfway, revealing a dark, unkempt chest.

Soon after, he arrived at an old house on the village's eastern edge, pushed open the door, and stood guard in the courtyard, pretending to polish a blade.

Less than half a stick of incense later, the old Daoist arrived with Shen Shen Jingcan, bowing with a smile: "Younger Brother Bai, long time no see."

"Old Master Wu!"

The bearded man feigned surprise and hurried forward to greet him.

"How are you feeling after taking the medicine I gave you last time?"

"Thanks to your Daoist grace, my shortness of breath has improved greatly…"

Listening to their small talk, Shen Shen Jingcan relaxed.

Meanwhile, inside the White family mansion, the servant carried the slip swiftly to the main hall.

Both groups of tomb robbers had arrived, seated on opposite sides, glaring at each other, the atmosphere heavy.

Their leaders had already communicated last night, deliberately feigning discord to deceive the employer, planning to turn on each other at the critical moment.

Seated in the main seat was an elderly man in blue robes, his face sharp and vigorous, hair streaked white, posture upright—radiating an unmistakable aura.

It was Bai Bai Wenghai, patriarch of the White family.

Taking the slip from the servant, Bai Bai Wenghai glanced at it once, slipped it into his robe, then rose and bowed: "Gentlemen, don't be angry—this is all my fault. I should have explained and arranged things properly."

He sighed heavily: "Had this matter been simple, I wouldn't have troubled you both."

"To be frank, it's dangerous. My clan has suffered heavy losses—we must cooperate fully to enter."

"Oh?"

Wang Wang Laobie from Xiangzhou couldn't help asking: "Master Bai, I came only because I was asked. Had you been this secretive, I'd never have gotten involved."

"Our profession's rules: if you come, you speak plainly—or this job is off!"

On the other side, Chen Yi Jian Sanye lifted his teacup, drank two sips expressionlessly—silent, but clearly agreeing.

"Gentlemen, don't rush."

Bai Bai Wenghai quickly soothed them: "I'm not hiding anything deliberately—this tomb is no ordinary one."

"Gentlemen, combine your bronze plaques."

Wang Wang Laobie and Chen Yi Jian Sanye already knew what this meant, but still pretended to be surprised, joining the tokens together, then exclaimed:

"Wu Wu Youxu—Prince's tomb?"

"You two truly have broad knowledge."

Bai Bai Wenghai praised them, then shook his head: "But if it were merely a prince's tomb, we wouldn't have hidden our names for generations searching."

Saying this, he waved his hand; a servant immediately brought forward a black sandalwood box. Inside lay a bronze pill.

Wang Wang Laobie frowned: "What is this?"

Bai Bai Wenghai didn't answer immediately, but asked: "Gentlemen, well-versed in ancient history—have you ever heard of Wang Su of the Tang dynasty?"

Chen Yi Jian Sanye gave a cool glance. "There was a Wang Su from the end of the Han—son of Minister Wang Lang. I've never heard of a notable Wang Su from the Tang."

Bai Bai Wenghai stroked his beard: "No surprise—you're unaware. His identity was secret; even in Tang times, few knew of him."

"The only record is a single line in the Youyang Youyang Zazu: 'Wang Su forged the Rat-Chasing Pill, made of bronze, turning day and night on its own.'"

At these words, Wang Wang Laobie and Chen Yi Jian Sanye both froze.

The Youyang Youyang Zazu contained many bizarre tales; ordinary people read it and dismissed them as jokes, few believed them.

But they, having spent years tomb-robbing, knew of the Daoist mysteries and understood the world held countless secrets beyond common knowledge.

"Could this be that 'Rat-Chasing Pill'?"

Chen Yi Jian Sanye's interest was clearly piqued.

Bai Bai Wenghai smiled without answering, then took from the box a bronze key shaped like yin-yang, inserted it into the bronze ball, and turned it three times with a creaking sound.

He nodded; a servant immediately brought over a wooden cage, pulled out a rat, and tossed it on the floor.

"Squeak!"

!.

The rat hit the ground and immediately tried to flee.

Bai Bai Wenghai casually tossed the bronze ball.

Thud! Thud!

The ball struck the ground; on either side, gear-like mechanisms clicked open, whirring like wheels, propelling the ball forward at high speed.

Stranger still—the bronze ball seemed to gain sentience, charging straight for the rat with astonishing speed.

The rat panicked, darting toward a chair, then made a sharp turn.

The "Rat-Chasing Pill" followed suit, spinning, and as it caught up, a metal spike shot out from its front with a click—piercing the rat clean through.

"Squeak!"

The mouse let out two screams, then fell silent.

The sight left both gangs of tomb robbers stunned.

Wang Wang Laobie and Chen Yi Jian Sanye rose to their feet simultaneously, exclaiming: "Mo Family mechanical arts!"

"That's right."

Bai Bai Wenghai calmly picked up the stopped "Rat-Chasing Pill," wiped away its dust and blood with a white cloth, and placed it inside a wooden box.

After finishing, he spoke: "The Mo Family flourished during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods; after Qin unified the realm, they gradually vanished from sight."

"But the Mo Family never broke their lineage. They reappeared several times since, and now some descendants serve in the imperial court."

"Unfortunately, the true Mo Family mechanical arts have long been lost."

"Wang Su's other identity was the Mo Family's Grand Master during the Tang dynasty; he met Wu Wu Youxu on Mount Songshan and became sworn brothers."

"Rumors say the two studied secret techniques and revived the Mo Family mechanical arts. But fearing the turbulent court politics, they knew such power would bring disaster, not fortune—so they built a tomb near Lake Liangzi Lake, hiding the arts within, waiting for a worthy heir."

As he spoke, Bai Bai Wenghai's eyes gleamed with excitement and greed. "Gentlemen, you know how vital this is."

"What are gold and silver worth?"

"With this legacy, what could you not obtain?"

His words sounded noble, but the two tomb robbers grew even more wary.

Wang Wang Laobie sneered coldly. "The artifact is certainly valuable—but, White Clan Chief, how do we divide it if we find it?"

Bai Bai Wenghai smiled. "Easy. We only want the mechanical arts. All the treasure in the tomb is yours."

"If you also seek the legacy, then everything inside will be split evenly."

Chen Yi Jian Sanye narrowed his eyes, fell silent for a moment, then said: "Agreed."

"Where is the tomb?"

Bai Bai Wenghai shook his head. "Not found yet."

Wang Wang Laobie's face darkened with fury. "Are you fucking with us?"

"Calm down, gentlemen."

Bai Bai Wenghai hurried to explain: "There's a reason. Lake Liangzi Lake was once rolling hills and flat land, home to Gaochang County. During the Tang dynasty, a mountain flood struck and the earth trembled—Lake Liangzi Lake formed, and the entire county sank beneath it."

"The terrain shifted, and the tomb's location changed. We've only been able to search near Lake Liangzi Lake—but we've now made progress."

"To be honest, several of my Bai clan members died—killed by tomb guardians that escaped from within. We can be certain it lies somewhere along the northern shore of Lake Liangzi Lake."

"Wang the Younger, you're skilled in gold-finding and geomancy. To pinpoint the exact spot, we rely on your expertise…"

As he spoke, Wang Wang Laobie's expression softened slightly. "Fine. Tell me the location. When I find it, I'll notify you."

Bai Bai Wenghai's face stiffened. "Won't you stay in the village?"

Wang Wang Laobie shook his head. "I'm used to the mountains. Staying in a village feels unnatural."

Chen Yi Jian Sanye snorted. "Who knows if you plan to steal it all for yourself? I'm coming with you."

"Hmph!"

Wang Wang Laobie replied coldly. "Do as you please."

Bai Bai Wenghai hesitated, then said: "Very well. But I must send men to guide you."

Wang Wang Laobie nodded. "Naturally."

After finalizing the plan, Bai Bai Wenghai immediately produced a map of the Lake Liangzi Lake region—the markings identical to those on the Shen family's map.

Without further words, Wang Wang Laobie and Chen Yi Jian Sanye gathered their men and left the village.

After they departed, Bai Bai Wenghai sipped tea, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Those two fools—they've already teamed up, yet pretend to be at odds. Ridiculous."

"How's it going over there?"

"Report, Hall Master: We're stirring the boy to drag the Shen family in. With Elder Wu's help, the boy will fall for it."

"Good. Let the boy leave only after Wang Wang Laobie is far away. It's not time yet for them to meet."

"Hmph. That place won't reveal itself without blood. Let's hope this time succeeds…"

…

On the other side, in the blacksmith's house at the eastern end of the village.

"Should we call my father and the others?"

Shen Shen Jingcan looked hesitant, reluctant.

Bai the Blacksmith shook his head. "I've checked those sites—all require excavation. Just the three of us won't be enough."

"Young brother, they're family. Besides, they already know. You can't hoard this alone."

"This…"

Shen Shen Jingcan glanced sideways.

Elder Wu fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Call them. They already know. I don't want you branded a traitor. We'll just split a share with them."

"Alright."

Shen Shen Jingcan nodded.

At this moment, he had no suspicion left. Though his second and third branches weren't as strong as the Black Cloud Guard, they knew martial arts—and they were numerous.

He wouldn't fear his fake master turning on him.

After further discussion, Shen Shen Jingcan immediately left Baihe Bay. To save time, he even borrowed Bai the Blacksmith's boat and returned to Shen Family Dam across Lake Liangzi Lake.

All of this was watched by Lu San.

"Interesting."

Li Yan knew nothing of the village's affairs, but his instincts sensed something amiss. "Someone's setting a trap…"

"Let's stay hidden and see what these people are up to!"

Second update later

(End of chapter)