Chu Miaoyi had a delicate personality and was quick-witted. She and Lin Xue complemented each other, one excelling in martial arts while the other in intellect.
“Come on, Miaoyi, even Shui Miao, who’s so skilled, didn’t figure it out. How could you know, since you’ve never practiced cultivation?” Lin Xue seemed unconvinced as she poured herself a drink, then peeled a spicy crayfish tail.
Shui Miao glanced at Lin Xue, then at the confident Chu Miaoyi, and smiled slightly. “It’s possible that the observer sees more clearly than the participant caught up in the situation.”
“Hehe, but what I said isn’t necessarily correct either.”
Chu Miaoyi smiled modestly.
After drinking a couple of cups, her face turned slightly rosy, and her reserved smile looked especially enchanting.
“Oh come on, just tell us. Even if you’re wrong, you won’t get penalized with more drinks. What are you afraid of?” Lin Xue placed the peeled crayfish tail in front of Shui Miao, who waved it off, so Lin Xue dropped it into Chu Miaoyi’s bowl instead and grabbed another crayfish for herself: “Waiter, bring us two more plates of braised crayfish!”
“…”
Chu Miaoyi passed the crayfish tail back to Lin Xue, set down her chopsticks, and finally spoke, “What the camera captures is an image, which definitely cannot be exactly the same as what our eyes see. After cultivation, people might see things that ordinary people cannot due to changes in brain nerves caused by spiritual energy. Both Lin Jie and I have taken the pills you gave us, Shui Miao, so we can see some things too. From my observations, I think it’s because the degree to which our brain nerves have been altered differs, so what we see varies. Here, we can assume the brain’s nervous system has four levels: advanced, intermediate, basic, and beginner. Lin Jie and I, after taking the pills, are at the basic level. And since many people saw the hurricane, it proves that for some reason, they entered the beginner level, so they could see the hurricane too.”
“Some reason? What kind of reason?”
Shui Miao nodded thoughtfully, finding Chu Miaoyi’s analysis reasonable.
Chu Miaoyi had a meticulous personality and a quick, agile mind. She and Lin Xue complemented each other perfectly—one excelled in scholarly pursuits, the other in martial prowess.
“No way, Miaoyi. Even Shuimiao, as capable as he is, didn’t figure it out. How could you know when you’ve never even practiced cultivation?” Lin Xue seemed skeptical. She picked up the wine bottle, poured herself a drink, and started peeling a spicy crayfish.
Shuimiao glanced at Lin Xue, then at the confident Chu Miaoyi, and smiled faintly. “Those closely involved can’t see as clearly as those standing aside. It’s entirely possible.”
“Hehe, but what I said might not be right.”
Chu Miaoyi smiled modestly.
After two glasses of wine, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her reserved smile looked particularly captivating.
“Come on, just say it. No one’s going to punish you with a drink if you’re wrong. What are you afraid of?” Lin Xue handed the peeled crayfish tail to Shuimiao, who waved it away. She then placed it in Chu Miaoyi’s bowl and grabbed another one for herself. “Waiter, two more plates of braised crayfish!”
“……”
Chu Miaoyi picked up the crayfish tail and put it back into Lin Xue’s bowl. Setting down her chopsticks, she finally spoke. “What a camera captures is an image, and it’s definitely not exactly the same as what our naked eyes see. After cultivating, perhaps due to spiritual energy altering the brain’s nerves, people might see things ordinary people can’t. Both Sister Lin and I have taken the spiritual pills you gave us, Shuimiao, so we can see some things too. Based on my observations, I think it might be because the extent of the changes to our brain nerves varies, so what we see differs. Here, let’s assume the brain’s nervous system has four levels: advanced, intermediate, beginner, and entry-level. Because Sister Lin and I took the pills, we’re at the beginner level. Most people also saw the hurricane, which suggests they’ve reached the entry-level due to some reason, allowing them to see it too.”
“What reason?”
Shuimiao nodded, finding Chu Miaoyi’s analysis reasonable.
“I suspect it’s because of you—you’ve influenced everyone.” Chu Miaoyi flashed a confident smile. “I’ve studied hypnosis before. Superficially, hypnosis influences others through language and actions, but true masters use their spirit to affect people. So, I think all cultivators are experts in hypnosis. Wherever you stand, you might influence those around you. In feng shui, this is called magnetic field resonance. It’s like magnets—a powerfully magnetic magnet will always influence smaller, weaker magnets.”
“Magnetic field, spiritual power…”
Shuimiao stroked his chin, staring at the crayfish on the plate and muttering to himself, “You could also compare the magnetic field to radar. A low-power radar can only monitor a small area, while a large, powerful radar can control a vast range. So, everything I do could be monitored by a stronger expert. To change this, I must enhance my spiritual power cultivation, continuously strengthen my magnetic field, and catch up to that expert. Only then can I truly turn the tables!”
Shuimiao used radar as a metaphor for his current situation, solidifying his focus on cultivating spiritual power.
“……”
Hearing this, Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi exchanged glances. Unsure what Shuimiao was thinking, they hesitated to speak.
“Hehe, I’ve figured it out. Let’s eat.”
Having resolved his thoughts, Shuimiao felt a sudden clarity. “By the way, would you dare to take down a major corrupt official?”
“A major corrupt official!?”
Lin Xue immediately perked up with interest. “Tell us, what’s the situation?”
Chu Miaoyi added, “No matter how powerful the corrupt official is, as long as we have evidence, we’re not afraid.”
“So far, I only know where the illicit money is hidden. As for evidence, I don’t think it’ll be too hard to find.” Shuimiao shared what the female ghost had told him. Both Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi were thrilled. After some discussion and planning, a grand scheme began to take shape.
※※※
That night, Shuimiao, Lin Xue, and Chu Miaoyi, dressed in plain clothes, hurried to Nangang Village under the cover of darkness.
Nangang Village was large, but since most villagers worked away from home, the area was pitch black, with very few lights visible. They drove along a dirt road southward, parked their van in a wasteland, and stealthily made their way toward the river.
By the moonlight, Shuimiao spotted a large peach tree in the distance. Using his spiritual sense, he detected a couple in their fifties watching TV inside a villa. Due to the stifling heat, two massive Tibetan Mastiffs were lying on the ground in the yard, panting. Another, even larger mastiff was chained to a dilapidated boat.
The old man was truly overcompensating—he’d even made a den for the mastiff on the broken boat.
The large iron gate was open, and the mastiffs were secured by chains. The slightest movement would set them barking, alerting the old man.
“Shuimiao, what should we do now?”
Lin Xue was growing impatient, eager to turn on her flashlight and search for the crate filled with gold bars.
Shuimiao placed a finger to his lips. “Shh, keep your voice down. There are three massive Tibetan Mastiffs here, each as big as a calf. We need to deal with them first before we can even think about the crate.”
“Damn, they’re rich…”
Lin Xue swallowed hard. She had always wanted to raise a Tibetan Mastiff but never had enough money.
“So, Shuimiao, do you have a plan?” Chu Miaoyi asked in a hushed tone.
Shuimiao closed his eyes. “Let me try communicating with them using spiritual power first.”
Concentrating, Shuimiao extended his spiritual energy…
Dogs were perceptive, but Shuimiao wasn’t sure about the temperament of these three mastiffs.
Soon, his spiritual energy spread out, connecting with the minds of the three mastiffs, and communication began.
“Who’s there?”
“Old Huang, don’t bark. Our mate is pregnant and sleeping on the boat. Be careful not to disturb her. Who else could it be but that turtle demon?”
“Wait, the aura feels different. It’s not the turtle demon.”
“Let me smell…”
As Shuimiao’s spiritual energy entered the minds of the two mastiffs in the yard, they immediately grew alert.
The mastiffs growled softly, communicating almost like humans.
“Hehe, no need to smell. I am an immortal, here to ask for your help.” Shuimiao conveyed his thoughts directly into the mastiffs’ minds.
“What’s an immortal? Help with what? Where are you? Show yourself!”
“Hmph! I doubt you have good intentions. Sneaking around in the middle of the night—are you trying to steal our master’s belongings?”
“What! Trying to steal? I’ll tear you to pieces!”
“Come out! Show yourself!!”
In the yard, the two mastiffs stood up, both staring intently toward the gate.
“Good dogs, you’re truly loyal. But the master you’re so devoted to is not a good person. You’ll be implicated and meet your end soon enough.” Shuimiao sighed inwardly. These mastiffs were indeed extraordinary, with surprisingly high intelligence.
“Old Black, what is this guy saying? I don’t understand.”
“What does it matter? It sounds like he wants to kill us.”
“Hmph! Try to kill us? Come at us if you dare. I’ll make sure not even your bones are left.”
The two mastiffs could only understand simple human language. More complex and profound terms were beyond their comprehension, so they misinterpreted Shuimiao’s meaning entirely. Baring their teeth, they let out low, menacing growls.
“Magnetic field, spiritual power…”
Shui Miao rubbed his chin, looking at the crayfish on the plate, muttering to himself, “It can also be compared to radar. A small radar can only monitor a small area, while a large, powerful radar can control a vast range. Therefore, everything I do might be monitored by a more powerful cultivator. To change this situation, I must enhance my spiritual cultivation, strengthen my magnetic field, catch up with that powerful cultivator, and only then can I truly reverse the situation!”
Shui Miao used the analogy of radar to clarify his current situation and decided to focus on cultivating his spiritual power.
“…”
After hearing Shui Miao’s words, Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi exchanged glances, unsure of what he was thinking and thus hesitated to speak.
“Hehe, I’ve figured it out. Let’s eat.”
Having resolved his internal issue, Shui Miao felt suddenly enlightened. “Oh, by the way, do you two dare to catch a big corrupt official?”
“A big corrupt official!?”
Lin Xue immediately became interested. “Tell me, tell me, what’s going on?”
Chu Miaoyi chimed in, “No matter how big the corrupt official, as long as there’s evidence, we won’t be afraid.”
“So far, I only know where the illicit money is. As for evidence, I think it won’t be much of a problem.” Shui Miao shared what the female ghost had told him. After hearing it, both Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi were extremely excited. After much discussion and planning, a grand scheme began to take shape.
※※※
That night, Shui Miao, Lin Xue, and Chu Miaoyi, dressed in plain clothes, arrived at Nangang Village.
Nangang Village was large, but since most of its villagers worked elsewhere, the entire village appeared dark, with few lights visible. Following a dirt road southward, they parked their minivan on a piece of wasteland. The three stealthily got out and crept toward the riverbank.
Under the moonlight, Shui Miao spotted a large peach tree in the distance. With his spiritual sense, he detected an elderly couple in their fifties watching TV inside the villa. Because of the sultry weather, two large Tibetan Mastiffs were lying on the ground in the courtyard panting, while the largest Tibetan Mastiff was tied to a broken boat.
The old man was truly trying too hard to hide his tracks by setting up a doghouse on the broken boat.
The large iron gate was open, and the Tibetan Mastiffs were chained. At the slightest noise, they would bark and alert the old man.
“Shui Miao, what should we do now?”
Lin Xue was getting impatient, eager to turn on her flashlight to locate the boxes full of gold bars.
Shui Miao put his finger to his lips: “Shh, keep quiet. There are three large Tibetan Mastiffs in there, each as big as a calf. We need to deal with them first before we can even think about the boxes.”
“Damn, they’re so rich…”
Lin Xue swallowed hard. She had always wanted to own a Tibetan Mastiff but couldn’t afford one.
“So, Shui Miao, do you have a plan?” Chu Miaoyi asked in a hushed voice.
Shui Miao closed his eyes. “Let me try communicating with them using my spiritual power first.”
As he spoke, Shui Miao concentrated his mind…
Dogs possess spirit, but Shui Miao didn’t know the temperament of these three Tibetan Mastiffs.
Soon, Shui Miao’s spiritual power reached out, connecting with the Tibetan Mastiffs’ consciousness and initiating communication.
“Who’s there?”
“Old Huang, don’t bark. Our wife is pregnant and sleeping on the boat. Don’t scare the fetus. Besides the turtle demon, who else could be here?”
“No, the aura doesn’t match. This isn’t the turtle demon’s aura.”
“Let me sniff…”
After Shui Miao’s spiritual power entered the minds of the two Tibetan Mastiffs in the courtyard, they immediately became alert.
The Tibetan Mastiffs growled softly, capable of communicating like humans.
“Hehe, no need to sniff. I’m an immortal here to ask for your help.” Shui Miao’s thoughts flickered, transmitting his words into the Tibetan Mastiffs’ minds.
“What’s an immortal? Help us with what? Where are you? Show yourself!”
“Hmph! I bet you don’t have good intentions. At this late hour, are you trying to steal from our master!”
“What! Trying to steal! I’ll tear you apart!”
“Come out! Show yourself!!”
Inside the courtyard, the two standing Tibetan Mastiffs rose together, staring at the main gate.
“Good dogs, you’re indeed loyal, but the master you’re loyal to isn’t a good person. You’ll be implicated and face imminent death,” Shui Miao silently marveled at how extraordinary these Tibetan Mastiffs were, their intelligence clearly not low.
“Old Hei, why can’t I understand what this guy is saying?”
“What’s the big deal? You seem to want to kill us.”
“Hmph! Want to kill us? Come on then, I’ll bite you into nothing but bone fragments.”
The two Tibetan Mastiffs could only understand simple human speech. Complex and profound words were completely beyond their comprehension, so they misinterpreted Shui Miao’s meaning, growling with bared teeth.
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