Today’s update is done…
In the secret chamber, Sixth Master could only smile bitterly after hearing Wu Bing’s report about Mei Qing’s movements.
“Can’t this reckless kid ever make things easier for others? Fine, have Bu San and Bu Si follow him secretly. Tell those two idiots to be careful not to get noticed—he’s pretty sharp. Also, how did Tieyi Taoist Zheng Jiu get mixed up in this? And what about that white-robed figure? Have we figured out who he is yet?”
Wu Bing replied, “I’ve already ordered people to investigate. Zheng Jiu disappeared a couple of years ago—some say he was being hunted and fled overseas, while others claim he was cultivating new spells. Last night, when Mei Qing and the others killed Zheng Jiu, the iron snake and蛟ants he used were all his old tools, and the spells he cast showed nothing particularly new or unusual.”
Pausing slightly, Wu Bing continued, “According to the report from Mei Qing, the white-robed youth addressed Zheng Jiu as ‘Guardian Zheng,’ while Zheng Jiu called him ‘Lord Ling.’ They clearly belong to some sect. Zheng Jiu was always a solitary cultivator, taught by Yuan Wang Yuan Chong Zhen in his youth, but no one knows which sect he joined. As for the white-robed youth, he claims to be Yang Jin, from a reputable family. According to our investigation, Yang Jin is likely the second son of Yang Zui, the former Grand Minister of Imperial Stables, who was executed three years ago. Both sons were exiled. Yang Jin apparently escaped last year, and was hidden by his father’s old friend in the Zhang household in Pingzhou. As for when he started cultivating magic, which sect he joined, or why he came to the capital, we have no further information.”
“Yang Zui?” Sixth Master murmured, his eyes clouded with confusion.
“Yang Zui served as the Grand Minister of the Imperial Stables during the regency of the Crown Prince, and he openly criticized the emperor’s reliance on fangshi such as Tao Zhongwen,” Mei Qing murmured, his thoughts becoming increasingly perplexed.
After arriving at the Experience Bureau, Mei Qing used his connection with Fat Huang to sneak in and look for records about any Yang family noble who had a son named Yang Jin. It didn’t take long to find the case of Yang Zui’s imprisonment and death three years ago.
To talk about this matter, one must mention a certain person—Taoist Dian Zhenren Tao Zhongwen. Tao Zhongwen was a Taoist priest who enjoyed great favor from the current emperor.
The current emperor, Jiajing, has always held Taoism in high esteem and dedicated himself to alchemy. Across the nation, Taoist sects thrived, employing talismans and丹 (dān, alchemical pills). The emperor especially favored the Zhengyi sect. Zhang Tian Shi Zhang Yan had previously enjoyed Jiajing’s great trust. However, later on, when his prayers for rain failed and his efforts to help the emperor conceive a son also proved ineffective, the emperor stripped him of the Tian Shi title, and Zhang Yan soon died in disgrace and fury. Afterwards, another Taoist practitioner, Shao Yuanjie, won the emperor’s favor. Shao hailed from Guixi and was said to have learned the dragon chart and tortoise pattern from a mysterious master during his childhood, enabling him to summon winds and rains and communicate with spirits. After meeting Emperor Jiajing, his reputation soared, and he effectively became the leader of the Taoist community.
Tao Zhongwen was originally a close friend of Shao Yuanjie and gained the emperor’s attention through his recommendation. Three years ago, Tao Zhongwen suddenly warned of an impending fire disaster in the palace, advising caution. Indeed, in the second month, a fire broke out at night in the palace. If it weren’t for Lu Bing being on duty and rescuing the emperor from the flames, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
After investigation, it was discovered that the fire had been caused by a group of thieves who accidentally knocked over a lamp while attempting to break into the palace. Several valuable items were also stolen. The emperor, furious yet grateful, rewarded Shao and Tao handsomely. However, Shao Yuanjie soon claimed that a heavenly tribulation was approaching, and he left a letter and vanished.
Not long afterward, the emperor issued an imperial decree promoting Tao Zhongwen to the title of Zhongxiao Bingyi Zhenren and placing him in charge of Taoist affairs. Later, Tao Zhongwen was further elevated to the position of Minister of Rites and bestowed the title of Shaofu, receiving a salary commensurate with that of a first-rank official. The emperor even publicly declared his intention to fully dedicate himself to Taoist cultivation and temporarily entrusted state affairs to the Crown Prince.
When the edict was issued, court officials were stunned, and a flood of protests poured in. The most vehement criticism came from Yang Zui, the Grand Minister of Imperial Stables. Yang Zui not only argued that the Crown Prince was too young to assume regency, but also directly accused Tao Zhongwen of being a fraud and a sorcerer who had misled the emperor, calling for his immediate arrest and punishment.
Upon reading this memorial, the emperor flew into a rage and immediately ordered the arrest of Yang Zui by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Unfortunately, Yang Zui died under mysterious circumstances shortly after being imprisoned.
According to secret records in the Experience Bureau, Yang Zui’s death was highly suspicious. It was said that after being imprisoned, he went mad before even being interrogated, biting people like a rabid dog. He scratched his own body until there wasn’t a patch of skin left intact. Locked in the cell, he kept banging his head against the wall and laughing maniacally for three days and nights before finally dying.
After Yang Zui’s death, both of his sons were exiled to Yunnan. The eldest, Yang Chu, died soon after due to illness caused by the harsh climate. The younger son, Yang Jin, reportedly escaped last year and disappeared without a trace.
“Is that all? No news about Yang Jin after he escaped?” Mei Qing asked, sounding frustrated.
“That’s all we have. Unless you check with the internal bureau, there’s nothing more to find. Hey Mei, what are you up to again? You keep coming here to dig up files every few days,” Fat Huang said with his round face seeming even rounder as he chuckled, his jowls jiggling.
Mei Qing thought for a moment before saying, “Huang, I won’t hide it from you. A few days ago, there was a case involving Yang Jin—this guy seems to have returned to the capital, but we can’t find where he’s hiding. That’s why I’m rushing to check the records for clues.”
Huang Zhongman looked thoughtful and said, “He dares to come back? Why? You don’t need to tell me it’s not serious. Back then, his father Yang Zui died mysteriously in prison, and people always whispered about it. If this kid is back, he must be up to something. Who would dare shelter him? If he really is back, maybe someone is using him for his father’s name, trying to stir up trouble.”
Mei Qing nodded in agreement and after a moment asked, “Huang, do you know where officials like Yang Zui, who were convicted of crimes, were buried after death?”
Huang thought for a while before replying, “I vaguely remember something about that. Because Yang Zui’s death was special, there was an imperial decree about his burial. According to our Ming legal code, if someone was executed for a minor crime, their family could claim the body. For serious crimes, the body would be displayed publicly as a warning. Yang Zui was considered a grave offender, but since his death was strange and his corpse was in poor condition, the authorities ordered his body to be discarded at his old family shrine, left to rot without burial. His old house is outside the west gate near Liangshui Well, sealed and abandoned for a long time.”
Mei Qing nodded thoughtfully and said nothing more.
That evening, Mei Qing once again met with Bi Zhen in spirit and told her everything that had happened over the past two days.
When she heard about the antics of Sun Busan and Sun Busi, Bi Zhen couldn’t stop laughing. Even through their spiritual connection, Mei Qing could almost hear her familiar, crisp laughter.
“How funny! The Embroidered Uniform Guard is full of such treasures. Too bad I didn’t get to see them. One day, if I meet them, I must have a good look.”
When she heard that Sun Busan and Sun Busi had a sister, Bi Zhen hesitated for a moment and said, “You know I’m half a member of the Qingjing Sect, but I’ve never heard of anyone in the sect daring to use the name of Qingjing Zhenren. These two, Sun Busan and Sun Busi, seem to be quite skilled cultivators. They shouldn’t be unknown figures. How could they have a sister with such a mysterious background? There must be something strange here. You need to be careful.”
Mei Qing nodded repeatedly. In truth, he had his own doubts too. The name Sun Bu’er was well-known—how could anyone dare to use it? Not only in the Qingjing Sect, but even in the Quanzhen Sect, such a thing would not be tolerated. Yet these two brothers spoke of her so casually, without any pretense. It seemed likely that their sister had some hidden secret.
When Mei Qing mentioned the myriad puppet techniques and the transformations of the puppets, Bi Zhen grew slightly concerned and said, “I’ve heard of the myriad puppet techniques before, but they haven’t been seen for a long time. I didn’t expect you to actually encounter them.”
Mei Qing said, “Sun Busan and Sun Busi seemed to know something about it too. At the time, they looked quite wary. Fortunately, they managed to wound the puppeteer quickly, so we didn’t get to see any more powerful techniques.” He then recounted the fight to Bi Zhen.
Bi Zhen replied, “It’s not that simple. The puppet you saw was probably a talisman made by an elder for a younger generation to protect themselves, like the items I have. The power of such talismans is far less than when used by the original creator. Those two brothers, Sun Busan and Sun Busi, are really good at deceiving people. I bet most people would fall for their tricks.”
Mei Qing laughed and said, “You haven’t heard the best part yet. Wait till I finish.” He then told her how the two brothers later ambushed and killed Zheng Jiu.
“Zheng Jiu the Iron-Robed Taoist?” Bi Zhen exclaimed. “That guy was quite famous back then. They say he came from a poor background and was very short. He was bullied a lot as a child. Later, he was taken in by a master and learned to control creatures. In battle, he was ruthless and cunning, making many enemies. Later, he apparently crossed someone he shouldn’t have and fled overseas. I wonder how he ended up back here. He did a lot of evil things, so it’s only fitting that he was killed by those two brothers. Oh, and by the way, did you feel scared the first time you saw someone being killed?”
Mei Qing looked a little lost. At the time, when Sun Busan and Sun Busi killed Zheng Jiu, Yao and Zhou didn’t seem to care much. Zhao Dayou was initially frightened but later, after seeing Zheng Jiu’s headless body, was so terrified he could barely walk. Mei Qing, however, felt strangely calm, as if it were something he had seen countless times before.
“Not really. Maybe I was too caught up in the moment to think about it,” Mei Qing finally said.
Bi Zhen felt a little disappointed and after a long silence, sighed, “Ah, I’m stuck here, unable to be by your side in times of danger.”
Under the same bright moon, two hearts ached with longing. Both fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.
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