Chapter 225: Zhen Yangzi’s Seizure of a New Body

Old Fourth Bug hung up the phone, and I was about to shut down my computer and head out. Yi Miao shouted, “Wait, let me check the news on Xinhua Net first.” I patted Yi Miao on the shoulder and said, “You still read the news? Just watch the evening news broadcast—it’s much more uplifting. Whenever I feel stuck in life, I watch it, and I’m guaranteed to be recharged the next day.”

Yi Miao cursed, “You’re hopeless. Sometimes I use a VPN to check the news, just to see what’s really happening in the world.”

I grabbed the jade ruler and compass and went out to hail a taxi, heading to the meeting spot I’d arranged with Old Fourth Bug—the most upscale hotel in Jiangnan City, the Blossom and Moon Hotel.

Old Fourth Bug was crouching on the lawn by the entrance, shouting, “Over here!” He squatted on the ground like a cricket. I walked over and asked, “I’ve already done my research. The Taoist priest is called Zhen Yangzi, real name Cao Qinghua.” Old Fourth Bug frowned and said, “There’s a problem now. I can’t go in—my clothes are too shabby. I’m afraid they’ll kick me out.”

I asked, “How long has Zhen Yangzi been inside?” Old Fourth Bug replied, “About an hour.” I sighed, “You’re useless. Looks like you’re mooching off me again. Come on, there’s a shop next door. I’ll take you to get some new clothes.” Old Fourth Bug pointed at his tattered shoes: “These should be replaced too. Preferably with a pair of Red Dragonfly leather shoes—I like those. Anything more expensive, I wouldn’t feel comfortable in.”

The clothes beside the Blossom and Moon Hotel were indeed pricey, befitting the hotel’s high-class reputation. The female staff inside were all quite attractive, having stayed during the New Year for overtime pay. The sky was darkening, and there weren’t many people around. As we entered, I pointed at Old Fourth Bug and said to the clerk, “Miss, just pick out two black outfits he can wear.”

Old Fourth Bug shook his head. “Let me choose.”

The formal suits and leather shoes inside were clearly not cheap. Old Fourth Bug thumped his chest and declared, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll pay you back whatever I owe.”

The two attendants were very diligent, helping Old Fourth Bug pick out a black suit and overcoat, then encouraging me to choose something nice too.

I didn’t want to spend the money, so I shook my head and refused.

Old Fourth Bug picked out something suitable for himself, settling on a large size. After changing, he carefully packed up his old clothes.

Leaving the clothing store, I followed Old Fourth Bug into the Blossom and Moon Hotel. There happened to be an evening banquet going on—some kind of appreciation event with many employees in attendance. The hotel had been notified that Mayor Wu would also be attending to thank citizens and business figures who had contributed to Jiangnan City over the past year and to outline plans for the new year.

In his suit, Old Fourth Bug looked quite dashing—except for his fingers, which were faintly blackened. I handed him a pair of gloves to wear so no one would notice. Old Fourth Bug booked a room straightaway and headed to the fourth floor, where we soon spotted the legendary Zhen Yangzi walking toward us. He, too, was wearing a suit, and sure enough, a tuft of black nose hair protruded from his nostrils.

His head was indeed pointed—all the descriptions matched. I was almost certain this was the infamous Zhen Yangzi. This bastard was really something. Just looking into his eyes, you could tell he was no good.

Old Fourth Bug’s hand trembled slightly, but he kept his composure and calmly told me to open the door. Zhen Yangzi walked swiftly, but his footsteps were almost soundless. Ever since ingesting the Five Poisons, my hearing had become extremely sharp—I could detect the slightest movement. But this time, Zhen Yangzi’s steps were so light I could barely hear them. There was only one explanation: he was controlling his breath and muscles, a skill only masters possessed.

We entered the hotel room, with Old Fourth Bug going in first.

Old Fourth Bug said, “Zhen Yangzi has noticed us!”

I gasped, “How? We didn’t slip up.”

Old Fourth Bug explained, “The moment our eyes met, I knew he’d seen through us. And I almost fell for his trick—he used a powerful mind-reading technique on me.”

Mind-reading! With that nose hair, he could still enchant people?

Seeing my disbelief, Old Fourth Bug elaborated, “For a split second, he transformed into a beautiful young woman. Luckily, I kept my cool and didn’t let him in.”

After a pause, I asked, “So what now? Spend the night in the hotel?”

Old Fourth Bug replied, “Wait.”

About half an hour later, Fu Dong arrived with two banquet tickets for the evening’s event, which started at nine. After delivering them, he left without another word.

At 8:30, Old Fourth Bug and I headed to the banquet on the hotel’s top floor. The venue was spacious, with central heating and a view of the distant Yangtze River through the windows.

Once inside, we spotted Zhen Yangzi from afar. He was surrounded by wealthy businessmen, lecturing them on seasonal health regimens, particularly promoting a special elixir he’d concocted called the “Thirfold Immortal Pill.”

One tycoon asked, “On TV, they only talk about the Tenfold Tonic. How did you come up with thirteen?”

Zhen Yangzi scoffed, “That’s fake. How can it compare to mine? My pills are refined in the ancestral furnace, blended with thirteen rare herbs and my secret Taoist methods. Ten thousand yuan per pill—I only brought ten this time.”

The tycoon waved his hand. “I’ll take them all.”

“Deal,” Zhen Yangzi said, swiftly selling several pills.

Old Fourth Bug whispered to me that most buyers weren’t actually interested in the pills—they were just currying favor with Mayor Wu, Zhen Yangzi’s patron. The “Immortal Pills” were nothing more than chocolate candies, no different from the ones sold in stores.

What a scam—but as they say, a fool and his money are soon parted.

Old Fourth Bug added that the money went straight into Zhen Yangzi’s pockets. Mayor Wu, being a man of ambition, didn’t care for such petty cash. Unlike Zhen Yangzi, who performed like a monkey for a few thousand yuan, the mayor had bigger fish to fry.

Put that way, the real power still lay with the officials. Zhen Yangzi might be making tens of thousands, but it was nothing compared to what the politicians pulled in.

Old Fourth Bug stepped forward and intercepted Zhen Yangzi. “Master Taoist,” he said with a smile, “I’ll buy all your pills. My wife is gravely ill, and I’m desperate.”

Zhen Yangzi asked, “Do you want her cured, or are you looking to remarry a prettier woman?”

Old Fourth Bug grinned. “You know me too well.” He gestured for Zhen Yangzi to follow him to a quieter corner. Zhen Yangzi’s gaze lingered on me, and when our eyes met, I suddenly saw a stunning beauty before me. My hands felt uncontrollable.

Old Fourth Bug nudged me, snapping me out of the trance.

Zhen Yangzi seemed reassured—Old Fourth Bug had brought along an amateur, nothing to worry about.

Old Fourth Bug got straight to the point: “Master, you’re as elusive as a dragon’s tail. I’ve been searching for you. Name your price for that matter.”

Zhen Yangzi smiled but remained silent. To outsiders, they looked like old friends reminiscing.

Old Fourth Bug pressed, “Everyone has a price.”

Zhen Yangzi replied, “The price your backer is offering—I could get that too. I won’t abandon my principles for mere money.”

I scoffed. “And what are your principles?”

Zhen Yangzi’s smile vanished. “When elders speak, juniors should stay quiet.” His gaze intensified, exerting pressure that would overwhelm most people. But having experienced his mind-reading earlier, I was prepared. I met his stare head-on, recalling Yi Miao’s advice: when dealing with someone like Zhen Yangzi, you had to break them completely.

Surprised by my resistance, Zhen Yangzi stepped forward and extended his right hand. I didn’t back down, mirroring his gesture. Our hands locked in a battle of wills. Zhen Yangzi tightened his grip, his eyes deploying his mind-reading technique again.

The FBI uses mind-reading to analyze micro-expressions, but Zhen Yangzi’s method was different. In Taoist and Buddhist terms, it was closer to “soul displacement”—where a master’s spirit could invade another’s body and take control. Zhen Yangzi hadn’t reached that level, but his technique was similar. His sharp eyes probed for weaknesses, his aura silently infiltrating my mind, much like how insect masters used bugs to control their victims.

Zhen Yangzi was as dangerous as Old Fourth Bug.

His grip was iron-strong, his internal energy refined to perfection. Holding his hand felt like clutching cotton.

Gradually, I heard a voice in my ear: “Who are you? Why are you here?” A powerful force drilled into my skull.

I felt myself on the verge of collapse. My hand was limp, my mind under siege. Soon, I’d have no secrets left. The saying “never provoke a Taoist priest” rang true—I’d underestimated my own limits.

Lacking self-awareness is its own punishment.

I opened my mouth to confess: “My name is—”

Just then, the hostess announced: “Secretary Jia and Mayor Wu have arrived!”