Finally, I can take a breath. These two days have been a mad rush to finish writing and repay debts…
There will be another update today.
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“This is the result you went to such great lengths to uncover?” Sixth Master sneered, looking at the roughly printed, sloppily bound book in his hands titled “The Supreme Golden True Jade Liquid Dragon-Tiger Immortal Elixir Cultivation Method of the Primordial Grotto Heaven.” He flipped through a few pages carelessly, his brows furrowed tightly.
“Haha! ‘Calm your breath, focus your mind on the solar plexus, preserve your essence and protect your vitality…’ What kind of nonsense is this? If practicing this could actually lay the foundation for cultivation, the entire capital would be full of immortals!” Sixth Master growled, shaking the book so violently it rustled loudly, before slamming it down on the table with a bang. He pointed angrily at Wubing, who stood rigidly in front of him, and shouted, “You young rascal! Don’t think you can fool me by bringing this nonsense after getting drunk last night!”
Wubing’s expression remained calm as he replied, “Since Mei Qing arrived at the Department of Investigations, my men have been secretly protecting him and keeping records of his every move. This time, I’ve also sent people to investigate repeatedly, and the intelligence we’ve gathered confirms this. The Taoist priest from the Great Purity Temple has already been brought here and is in the adjacent secret room. His testimony matches exactly with what my men have uncovered.”
Sixth Master glared at Wubing for a moment, then suddenly slumped into his chair like a deflated balloon. “Even if it’s true, who would believe it? Not even I believe it, let alone that old man. He’ll definitely say to me, ‘Do I look like a fool to you? Are you the fool or am I?'”
“Do I look like a fool to you? Are you the fool or am I?”
“…”
“The Supreme Golden True Jade Liquid Dragon-Tiger Immortal Elixir Cultivation Method of the Primordial Grotto Heaven! Marvelous! Sixth Master, you’ve really come up in the world. Back then, you didn’t cultivate using this method, did you? Now you’re trying to fool me with it? Very well, very well, you’ve certainly improved your skills.”
“…Old man, don’t get so worked up. Anyway, I’ve already brought the person here. He’s in the next room. If you don’t believe me, come and interrogate him yourself.”
“You think I’m afraid to interrogate people? Just watch me. If I don’t get to the bottom of this, I won’t deserve the name Ghost Hand!”
Uncle Zhong rinsed his hands in the basin of water beside him, then sat silently on a chair, saying nothing.
Even Wubing, who usually wore an expressionless face, couldn’t help but show a slight change in expression. No one could have imagined that this seemingly unremarkable old man, who was said to be merely a steward in Mei Qing’s household, could wield those torture instruments with a skill that exceeded the limits of human imagination.
Compared to this Uncle Zhong, the so-called “Smiling Tiger” Magistrate Ma and his four burly subordinates were like toddlers who had just learned to walk.
Especially the calm and composed expression on his face, which remained unchanged throughout, was even more chilling than his deft and ghostlike techniques.
Wubing naturally understood that anyone who could command such serious attention from Sixth Master must be no ordinary person. Yet, why would such a man willingly serve by Mei Qing’s side, concealing his identity and name, was something worth pondering. The fact that Mei Qing had such a servant and that Sixth Master would go to such lengths for him suggested that Mei Qing’s identity was far more than just a hereditary fifth-grade general.
Of course, these were just thoughts passing through Wubing’s mind. Such secrets were not meant for someone of his station to pry into.
The fat Taoist priest lay on the ground like a dying dog, barely able to breathe, his mind blank.
That emotionless man was truly terrifying. Although the fat Taoist had already revealed everything he knew, the man refused to believe him, continuing to torture him repeatedly and asking the same questions over and over, forcing him to reiterate details he had already repeated countless times.
After a long while, Uncle Zhong finally exhaled deeply. The facts were there, undeniable. Mei Qing was indeed this repulsive fat Taoist priest who, through sheer luck and random blundering, had somehow managed to lay the foundation for cultivation.
No one could tell whether Mei Qing’s fortune was good or bad.
Sixth Master glanced at Uncle Zhong and sighed, waving his hand. Two men immediately came over and dragged the fat Taoist priest out the door.
Wubing looked at Sixth Master and, upon seeing him give a barely perceptible nod, signaled to the underling guards.
“Wait,” Uncle Zhong said, his voice filled with exhaustion. “Leave him alive for now. He might still be useful.”
Wubing hesitated slightly, glancing at Sixth Master. Sixth Master said, “Didn’t you hear clearly? Do as he said. You can go now; this doesn’t concern you anymore.”
Without hesitation, Wubing quickly stepped outside, closed the door, and then ordered his men to first take the fat Taoist priest to prison and arrange for someone to treat his wounds to avoid the priest’s untimely death and the resulting complications.
“Old friend, try to take it easy. After all, this matter is truly unexpected, and it’s not entirely your fault,” Sixth Master murmured softly, trying to console Uncle Zhong, who had been silent for a while.
“Not my fault? Not my fault?” Uncle Zhong muttered, “Back then, Madam repeatedly warned that the young master had a hidden ailment and must never cultivate the Dao. At first, when the young master’s mind was not yet awakened, I thought this warning needn’t be taken seriously. But now, because of my single moment of carelessness, I’ve gone against Madam’s instructions. Even if the old master doesn’t blame me, how can I face Madam in the future?”
As he spoke, Uncle Zhong suddenly let out a loud cry and slammed his palm onto the table in front of him. Although the table was not made of hardwood, it was still a sturdy piece of elm wood, yet it cracked with a few creaking sounds and then collapsed into pieces with a loud crash.
Looking as if he had gone mad, Uncle Zhong cried out, “You say it’s not my fault, but whose fault is it then? Whose fault is it?” As he spoke, he began to slap his own face repeatedly, his hands striking with such force that his cheeks split open, blood pouring from them.
Seeing his self-blame, Sixth Master couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh. Then, without any visible effort, he reached out his hand and caught both of Uncle Zhong’s wrists. His fingers slipped effortlessly through the flurry of palm strikes and gently seized Uncle Zhong’s hands.
“Enough, old friend. Even if you beat yourself to death, you can’t turn that kid back to how he was. Let’s think together and see if there’s any other way.”
“At this point, what other way is there? Do you want me to tell the young master everything directly?” Uncle Zhong asked, his face covered in blood which he made no effort to wipe away, his eyes dull and lifeless.
Sixth Master thought for a moment and replied, “Not necessarily. There is another way, but I’m afraid you won’t agree.” Then, he whispered something into Uncle Zhong’s ear.
At first puzzled, Uncle Zhong’s eyes widened as he listened, stammering, “This… how can this be done?”
Sixth Master frowned and said, “At this point, what’s there to hesitate about? If you’re unwilling, I feel the loss too. Anyway, it’s a case of treating a dead horse as if it were alive. Do you have any better ideas?”
Uncle Zhong was stunned for a moment, then let out a long sigh and said, “If that’s the case, then I suppose we have no choice. But are you sure you can do this? I hope it doesn’t end up harming the young master’s body.”
Sixth Master assured him, “Don’t worry, I know my limits. You should wipe the blood off your face now, so you can explain it to the young master when you go back.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Uncle Zhong replied weakly, “I’ll just say it was from a grapevine trellis falling over.”
“A grapevine trellis?” Sixth Master asked, puzzled. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing in particular. I heard the young master telling the girls about it yesterday.”
“Oh? So you like listening in on stories?—You old rascal, eavesdropping on the young master’s conversations?”
“What do you mean eavesdropping? I just happened to pass by and accidentally heard—Besides, do you think I wanted to listen? I was just worried the young master might make a mistake in his cultivation, so I’ve been paying attention and listening in occasionally. Do you think it’s easy for me, an old man, to do this?”
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