=== Chapter 48 ===
The two "porters" seemed to have a considerable grasp of the Zhen Mansion’s layout. They navigated the grounds with practiced ease, bypassing the patrolling servants, guards, and family members. In the time it took to brew two pots of tea, they arrived in the vicinity of the Listening-to-Water Pavilion.
They paused, concealing themselves in the shadows along the side of the building, not rushing to force their way in.
One of the "porters" was Ma Hanjiang, leader of the Small Boat Gang, in disguise. He cast a glance toward his companion.
With the Listening-to-Water Pavilion currently crowded with personnel and no shortage of experts, it was the perfect stage for his companion to show his worth.
Ma Hanjiang only hoped that once the chaos erupted, they could finish the job quickly and withdraw from the Zhen Mansion immediately after achieving their objective.
In his view, this operation was merely to demonstrate that the Small Boat Gang was a force that repaid grievances in kind. They must not be caught by the county or prefectural authorities; otherwise, the Small Boat Gang’s public foundation would be uprooted entirely. After all, the "Envoy" beside him was a member of the "Boat-Capsizing Sect" from the Twenty-One Demonic Paths, a figure listed on the universally recognized "Nine Prisons Ranking," one of the Evil Gods, and a Mastery-level expert.
The other man lifted his bamboo hat slightly, revealing a face that looked as if it had been soaked in white dye, along with bright red lips that appeared to be crafted from the material of a bird’s beak.
His eyes, filled with bloodthirsty malice, shifted. Faint, shimmering light emerged in the void around him, vaguely outlining the shape of a large eagle with a white head, red beak, and black spots. His hands slid out from his sleeves, shaped like tiger claws.
An indescribable aura of malice and ferocity rippled outward, spreading silently into the surroundings and seeping into the Listening-to-Water Pavilion.
Ma Hanjiang hurriedly reined in his focus to resist the influence.
Yet, the more he suppressed his emotions, the more he felt a sense of resentment:
Why should the Four Waters Gang be allowed to set traps for the Small Boat Gang, while the Small Boat Gang could not strike back?
Why should the Zhen family be allowed to stir up so much trouble, while the Small Boat Gang could not retaliate on a grand scale?
Why? Why?
When the time comes, he would make sure the Zhen family flowed with blood!
…………
At the top of the highest watchtower, a prefectural constable rushed up. Without waiting to offer a formal salute, he handed the paper in his hand to Tao Wenshu:
"Sect Master Tao, the Yan Capital Martial Prohibition Bureau has replied.
"The identities of three of the people in the Ding family have been uncovered!"
Ever since Zheng Zhuxi informed the prefectural office last night of Ding Songyan’s inquiries and her own suspicions, the authorities had dispatched men to monitor the members of the Ding family individually. They had drawn portraits, compared them against those on the wanted lists, and simultaneously reported the matter to the Yan Capital Martial Prohibition Bureau through three different channels overnight. Since Ning Province was adjacent to the Yan Capital and not far away, the reply had arrived today.
This did not mean the authorities were certain the Ding family was problematic—the Zhen Mansion was of greater concern—but since Second Young Master Ding was involved, everyone close to him had to be investigated, one by one.
After Tao Wenshu took the paper, Zheng Zhuxi curiously leaned in to examine the portraits and read the content below.
She saw that the first page depicted Ding Shengyi, but with two tentacles covered in blood-colored scales on his forehead, and his skin appearing reddish.
The corresponding text description read:
Qiu Chen, disciple of the Moth God Sect of the Ying State, ranked in the "Death-Intent Prison" of the "Nine Prisons Ranking," evaluated at "Mastery." Forty-five years of age. Previously active only in the Feng and Yu states. Because he pursued the ultimate "Moth Seed," he turned his fellow disciples into "Moth People" and was expelled by the "Moth God Sect," becoming a scourge upon the land.
He even wanted to turn the "Moth Father" and "Moth Mother" into "Moth People" to see if there were better or stronger transformations? He is truly worthy of being on the "Nine Prisons Ranking"… Zheng Zhuxi gasped, feeling that this "Ding Shengyi" was almost pure in his depravity.
The "Nine Prisons Ranking" was established by the top orthodox sects to record the names of notorious demonic figures, making it easier for those in the martial arts world to track them or gauge their strength upon an encounter.
It was divided into the Nine Nether Prisons, with each prison corresponding to a level of demonic practitioner. The "Death-Intent Prison" was the sixth, representing the Mastery level of the Great Evolution Realm, while the "Evil God Prison" was the seventh, representing the Grandmaster level of the Dharma Realm.
"The Ding family really does have problems. Second Young Master Ding is truly caught between wolves in front and tigers behind, living in a demon’s den," Zheng Zhuxi couldn't help but sigh.
After finishing the page on "Ding Shengyi," Tao Wenshu turned to the second sheet, which depicted Ding Daniu, but with horse hair on his body, a snake’s tail, and hooves for feet:
Li Zhi, between twenty-two and twenty-five years old, origin unknown. Possesses the "Heavenly Human Ten Powers Secret Script," a giant bandit of the New Yu. Ranked in the "Soul-Qi Prison" of the "Nine Prisons Ranking," evaluated as "Transcendental." He often kills people at random by the roadside, not for beauty or wealth. However, he has been spotted in pleasure houses several times and managed to escape by luck.
"The 'Ding family' has two people from the 'Nine Prisons Ranking' now. This is truly not simple…" Zheng Zhuxi shook her head as she read.
To enter the "Nine Prisons Ranking," one must either possess immense strength, be steeped in heinous crimes, or have extraordinary potential.
Tao Wenshu quickly turned to the third page.
This depicted Liu Yuzao, with a beautiful face and no abnormalities:
Qi Xiaoxiang, between forty and forty-five years old, origin unknown, martial arts unknown, evil deeds unrecorded. Three years ago, during the riot and mutual slaughter of the miners at Mount Shou, she was suspected of being the mastermind. Three hundred people died tragically as a result, and no copper was produced from Mount Shou for half a year. Because she was only active in the Yu and Gan states, her other deeds are unknown. Judging by her appearance, she likely uses a technique to conceal herself, or someone often covers for her.
Tao Wenshu handed these three sheets to Zheng Zhuxi and looked at the constable who had acted as the courier:
"Inform Prefect Lin that he may now pay a personal visit to the Zhen Mansion. He must delay whatever might happen.
"Replace those monitoring Qiu Chen, Li Zhi, and Qi Xiaoxiang immediately. They must be at least 'Transcendental' level."
The constable did not turn to leave; instead, using the paper and brush prepared inside the watchtower, he wrote down these two instructions and handed the paper to a member of the Yi clan responsible for daily surveillance.
The Yi clan member first wrapped the paper around the shaft of an arrow, secured it, and then aimed at the North City watchtower. He pulled the bowstring and fired the white-feathered arrow.
The arrow whistled through the air, losing no speed even after a hundred paces, nor was it tipped with flame.
It crossed half the city, gradually slowing and descending, yet it drilled unerringly into the North City watchtower, where it was caught by a palm covered in blue-black scales.
After the prefectural constable descended from the watchtower, Zheng Zhuxi glanced at the two Yi clan members focused on their surveillance and whispered to her mother, Tao Wenshu:
"Mother, why don't you just protect Second Young Master Ding directly instead of letting him enter the Zhen Mansion?
"You clearly have people watching the Zhen Mansion and the members of the Ding family."
Tao Wenshu tilted her head slightly and looked at Zheng Zhuxi:
"By the time I had grasped the full situation, Second Young Master Ding had already entered the Zhen Mansion.
"As for Prefect Lin and the others, do you think the possible location of Kunlun is more important, or is Second Young Master Ding?"
This… Zheng Zhuxi was stunned.
Tao Wenshu spoke in a gentle tone, yet with a clear instructional intent:
"If you truly wanted to save Second Young Master Ding, you should have found another reason to report to the county and prefectural offices last night, rather than laying out the issue with Second Young Master Ding in its entirety. You need to make them take it seriously, but not too seriously. Do not assume that everyone is like you, believing that human life is paramount.
"You are sincere, righteous, and compassionate toward the weak, and I am very pleased by that. But one must have methods when doing things. You cannot think that just because you are good and I am good, everyone else is good. You are still too young and lack experience in the martial arts world. You must endure more lessons so that you won't suffer a great loss in the future."
Zheng Zhuxi’s mind was in chaos. At times she felt indignant at how they could act this way, and at others, she felt exceptionally annoyed and guilty.
Tao Wenshu continued, both consoling and lecturing:
"Do you think Prefect Lin and the others are wrong to ignore the danger Second Young Master Ding is in?
"But have you considered that if this truly involves the location of Kunlun, and the demonic practitioners succeed in reaching the Heavenly Emperor’s Imperial Palace, it could very well lead to chaos across the world and the suffering of all living things.
"Before they have absolute certainty, Prefect Lin and the others do not want to startle the snake. They do not want to force the Zhen Mansion and that group of demonic practitioners into a corner. Doing so would not only risk the leakage of information about Kunlun, but would also very likely involve innocent people in the city."
Zheng Zhuxi wanted to argue, but found herself unable to speak.
She herself felt that her mother’s words held some truth.
But, to watch an innocent person fall into such danger—is that truly right?
Tao Wenshu said softly:
"Xixi, many things and many choices are not black and white, not simply right or wrong. They are often gray, containing both right and wrong.
"Practice your martial arts well. Only with high martial arts can you uphold the path in your heart, and only then will you be willing to illuminate the long night after you have learned the complexities of the world."
As she spoke, Tao Wenshu looked back toward the south of the city:
"In less than an hour, the head of the Yi family will arrive by colorful flying carriage, as will the Gold and Silver Twin Swords of the Chongwu Sect.
"In another half day, Senior Tian of the Divine Firmament Sect may also arrive.
"As long as we can delay things for a while longer, those demonic practitioners will be unable to stir up any waves. The longer we delay, the less danger Second Young Master Ding will be in. When the time comes, saving him will be as easy as turning over one's hand."
The Divine Firmament Sect was located in Xiao Province, to the west of Ning Province. Supreme Elder Tian Shuyu was one of the three Sages of the Great Zhao.
From last night until now, the authorities of Dingjiang Prefecture had appeared to do nothing, yet they were quietly casting a net that covered the heavens and the earth.
Zheng Zhuxi’s eyes flickered, and she fell into a daze of contemplation.
…………
Zhen Mansion, inside the Listening-to-Water Pavilion.
Old Master Zhen, Zhen Qianfan, pressed his right hand onto the wooden box containing the Huai Fruit. He looked first at Su Chongxiao of the Heavenly Maiden Sect, then toward Ren Youyang of the True Spirit Sect, and said in a low voice:
"The promise is not complex, nor does it involve anything else.
"Within three days, if the Zhen Mansion faces a crisis, I hope for your assistance once, provided it does not involve your own lives. If there is no trouble within the three days, the promise shall be considered fulfilled.
"I wonder who can accept this promise?"
Upon hearing this, Ren Youyang’s face turned black, and his pair of dog ears stood high.
Behind him, a guard named Meng Qingze felt an inexplicable irritation and a surge of resentment.
Meng Qingze, who had strange patterns painted on the sides of his face, practiced the "True Spirit Industry Position Book," one of the two fundamental arts of the True Spirit Sect.
This art offered three choices, corresponding to three different paths: the first was the Useless Divine Skill, the second was Inviting a Spirit to Possess the Body, and the third was Enslaving a Ghost within the Body. Meng Qingze had chosen the latter.
Influenced by the evil ghost, he was often heavy with yin energy and unable to curb his ferocity, forcing him to recite scriptures and worship gods daily to restrain his desires and maintain balance.
At this very moment, he felt a cold chill rising from the bottom of his heart. An evil ghost was whispering incessantly in his ear, urging him to kill everyone he found displeasing, urging him to drink his fill of hot blood.
Why must only I suffer this torment?
Why do those who choose to invite a spirit to possess them, or those who practice the "Chapter of Natural Dao," not have to be like this?
Why?
As his ferocity coalesced, Meng Qingze suddenly turned to the side and struck a palm toward his fellow sect member, Qin Li, who practiced the "Spirit Inviting Method."
His palm was stained with a trace of ghostly green. It vanished strangely in mid-air, only to reappear just as strangely in front of Qin Li’s chest, striking him.
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