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Chapter 390 Master Dafu Vents My Anger (Part 3)

Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Oh? Why is that?"

Such anecdotes would always be thoroughly known to a wealthy and dissolute man like Zhu Zhanlei.

It's all for the purpose of bragging to people like Xu Yuan.

Therefore, Zhu Zhanlei perked up and quickly said, "What exactly are the cultivators of our seven major sects, plus the countless 'side sects,' cultivating?"

Of course, Old Man Xu had told Xu Yuan about this matter when he was resurrected.

But Xu Yuan still played along and asked, "What are you repairing?"

Zhu Zhanlei made a forceful gesture, thinking he had just made a shocking statement: "What we cultivate is actually evil spirits! All our skills and abilities can actually be traced back to evil spirits and strange creatures!"

Xu Yuan showed expressions of surprise, thoughtfulness, and sudden realization: "It seems... that's really the case."

Zhu Zhanlei was very satisfied.

"Therefore, cultivators must always be aware of their own corruption, and if it becomes uncontrollable, they must immediately find a way to deal with it."

However, the higher the level, the more this contamination accumulates, and the more difficult it is to clean up.

Xu Yuan nodded: "That's exactly right."

"Some cultivators use extraordinary methods when they advance to a higher level, which makes their bodies more susceptible to infection."

Imagine how terrible it would be if, after accumulating these mistakes time and time again, one were to fall into the third-rate category!

Zhu Zhanlei then brought up the one in the Prince of Xiang's mansion: "The only purpose of the Prince's mansion in supporting these retainers is to allow them to continuously rise in rank and then work for the Prince's mansion."

Therefore, as long as they can be promoted, potential risks are often deliberately ignored, and all sorts of means are used to promote them.

That 'master' was a divine cultivator, and advancing to the third rank was extremely difficult for him.

It is said that after succeeding, he immediately found a place where the earth's flames surged, and lived a secluded life, using external forces to suppress the yin energy within his body.

Since he was promoted to third-rate, he has only made a move twice.

He was already over a hundred years old when he was promoted, and his lifespan was almost over.

Everyone guessed that he could only make two more moves at most.

The Prince of Xiang's mansion relies entirely on him for prestige. The Crown Princess is already dead, and this isn't just a matter for the Prince of Xiang's mansion; the Fu family and the Grand Canal government are also involved. The Prince of Xiang might not be willing to sacrifice any of them.

Xu Yuan asked, "Is this true for all top-tier schools?"

"Of course not," Zhu Zhanlei said. "Both the North and South capitals have many exceptionally talented individuals who can advance through normal channels without any scruples."

However, there is a consensus: only those who rise to the upper-middle class before the age of fifty are truly considered upper class!

Xu Yuan nodded; his father had never told him any of this.

Playing the straight man for Zhu Zhanlei was also rewarding.

So, by that calculation, the only truly upper-class person in the family right now is the stepmother.

Aunt Wang and the others were in a similar situation to that "Master" of the Xiang Prince's Mansion.

"So," Xu Yuan said, "the only experts who could come this time are these two fourth-rate people from the Grand Canal Administration?"

"That's not necessarily true. The Fu family will definitely send people too, but the Fu family isn't top-tier, at most they're fourth-tier. It seems like it'll be a few of you."

Xu Yuan pondered in his heart, "Even if we gather four of the four ranks, I'm afraid they still won't be able to do anything to the Ancient Corpse Empress."

As they spoke, they passed the Grand Canal Government Office.

Xu Yuan asked curiously, "Aren't you going in?"

Zhu Zhanlei slapped his forehead: "What I told you earlier was inaccurate. Those two fourth-rate officials are arriving soon. An Chengyuan asked me to call you to go to the dock to greet them."

An Chengyuan has already led his men there.

The dock has been cleared out to welcome a very important person today.

The remaining cargo ships could wait on the river but could not approach the dock to unload their cargo.

An Chengyuan, dressed in official robes, looked solemnly at the upper reaches of the canal.

Zhu Zhanlei and Xu Yuan arrived, but An Chengyuan didn't even glance at them.

Miao Yu beckoned to the two of them, signaling them to come and stand beside him.

Xu Yuan didn't say much.

But in reality, since I represent the Department of Purification, I should have a dedicated place.

In this case, An Chengyuan deliberately suppressed the Exorcism Division, yet he also dragged himself along, preventing them from leaving.

His actions were exactly those of a typical Ming Dynasty bureaucrat.

Xu Yuan secretly scanned the area and spotted Gao Wanli and Zhan Chenghe Jian not far from An Chengyuan.

Although the two were held accountable, they were not criminals after all, and were brought in as well.

Moreover, their positions are even better than Xu Yuan's.

Xu Yuan shook his head secretly.

Dozens of officials, both high and low rank, waited at the dock for a full hour, past lunchtime.

But since An Chengyuan didn't say anything, everyone could only endure their hunger.

Finally, a large ship sailed upstream.

When Gao Wanli saw the ship, her eyes lit up immediately; it had been crafted using the techniques of a new master craftsman.

As the large ship docked, An Chengyuan immediately went to greet it. After exchanging pleasantries, An Chengyuan introduced the main officials who had come to welcome them to the two fourth-rate men. Of course, Xu Yuan was not among them.

Then they welcomed the two fourth-rate officials back to the Grand Canal Administration.

After entering the yamen, An Chengyuan instructed someone to brief the two on the case and the latest "investigation progress".

The person responsible for the introduction was another river patrol officer under An Chengyuan, named Huang Ze.

This man spoke eloquently, recounting in detail all the measures taken by Lord Andersen after arriving in Champa.

At first glance, it seems they've really done a lot.

Upon further reflection, I realized I hadn't gained anything.

These two fourth-rate officials held high positions in the Grand Canal government, and in terms of rank, they were even half a grade higher than An Chengyuan.

Moreover, one of them, Luo Gongqiao, was the supervisor of Tian Shu Lou in the Grand Canal Administration.

Tian Shu Lou is a department within the Grand Canal Administration specifically responsible for investigating internal corruption, violations, and dereliction of duty.

After Huang Ze finished speaking, Luo Gongqiao coldly asked, "So, you've been in Champa for seven or eight days, and you haven't made any progress at all?"

The hall immediately fell silent.

Everyone lowered their heads.

After a moment, An Chengyuan coughed and said, "Lord Luo, the case is complicated and involves Ghost Witch Mountain. We dare not act rashly before the two of you arrive."

Luo Gongqiao snorted coldly and said, "Then what preparations has Lord An made? You are afraid of Ghost Witch Mountain, but this case happened in Ghost Witch Mountain. We still have to go into the mountain. Shouldn't the guides be prepared in advance?"

An Chengyuan really wasn't prepared.

He figured there must be people familiar with Guiwu Mountain in the local Shanhe Si (山河司) and Canal Yamen (葡韻衙门), so he could just have them find them.

But now Luo Gongqiao is clearly trying to establish his authority, and if he gives this explanation, he might not be able to get through it.

An Chengyuan had a sudden inspiration and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency, it has indeed been decided. Xu Yuan, the head of the Zhancheng branch of the Exorcism Bureau, is from Shanhe County and has been to and from Ghost Witch Mountain many times. He is the most suitable person to be the guide."

Xu Yuan was stunned. "You corrupt official, you only think of me now?"

Luo Gongqiao nodded: "Where is Xu Yuan?"

Lord Xu stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant is here."

"Lord An has recommended you, so you must do your best in your duties and not be negligent or negligent!"

Xu Yuan, however, did not intend to give An Chengyuan any face: "Replying to Lord Luo, I am only here to assist in the investigation. Lord An did not tell me beforehand that I would be the guide."

"Hmm?" Luo Gongqiao frowned and looked at An Chengyuan with displeasure.

An Chengyuan remained calm and said, "The reason I invited Lord Xu here is precisely for this. Otherwise, with so many talented people in my Canal Administration, why would I need someone from the Purification Division?"

Xu Yuan had no intention of giving An Chengyuan face and said firmly, "I am not the right person to do this job. Although I have indeed been in and out of Ghost Witch Mountain several times, I have needed to find someone in the mountain to guide me each time. I cannot do the job that Lord An has arranged for me."

Moreover, the case is of great importance and involves many people; I dare not delay the progress.

An Chengyuan was really annoyed. This kid really didn't know what was good for him!

He secretly gave Xu Yuan a fierce look.

Xu Yuan pretended not to see it.

I am from the Exorcism Bureau, and I am only assisting you in handling the case.

Luo Gongqiao's gaze darted back and forth between An Chengyuan and Xu Yuan several times—even with his rich experience and seasoned wisdom, he didn't know what to do.

An Chengyuan, a seasoned official, was a shrewd and calculating man who held a position without doing anything, and was always preoccupied with his own petty schemes. He had encountered many such men.

Xu Yuan, a troublemaker in officialdom, was young and impetuous, unaware of the importance of things, and never understood the concept of "putting the big picture first." He had also encountered such people.

Although they don't happen often, they have happened before.

Luo Gongqiao can handle it with ease.

But today's situation is this: An Chengyuan is a seasoned veteran in the Grand Canal government, while Xu Yuan is a greenhorn in the Purification Department!

An Chengyuan wanted to shift the blame to Xu Yuan, but Xu Yuan resolutely refused to take the blame.

Luo Gongqiao couldn't blame Xu Yuan, because doing so would be extremely risky. If Xu Yuan could disregard An Chengyuan's feelings, he might also disregard his own.

If someone actually argues with you in public, you will not only fail to establish your authority, but you will also lose face!

Are you suggesting that you rely on your fourth-rate skills to kill a head of the Exorcism Bureau on the spot?
We cannot blame An Chengyuan either.

Although Luo Gongqiao wanted to use An Chengyuan as a "deterrent," An Chengyuan was, after all, one of the Grand Canal government's own people.

At this point, blaming An Chengyuan would appear as protecting outsiders while suppressing one's own people.

The "Tian Shu Lou" building, located within the Grand Canal government office, already had a notorious reputation for "investigating its own people"...

Luo Gongqiao found himself in an awkward situation.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got; I was so angry but didn't know where to vent it.

An Chengyuan was furious. This bastard had actually made him lose face in front of two fourth-rate people!
He bluntly reprimanded her, "Your superior has given an order, so do as you are. How can you make excuses!"

Xu Yuan was determined not to give him any face and retorted immediately: "I am from the Purification Department, and you are not actually my superior."

Luo Gongqiao slammed his hand on the table and stormed off, shouting, "Nonsense!"

An Chengyuan gave Xu Yuan a sinister look, then quickly went to chase after Luo Gongqiao.

Other officials from the canal administration also hurriedly followed.

They all left in a flash.

Inside the hall, only Xu Yuan, Xiang Qinghuai, and Zhu Zhanlei remained.

Zhu Zhanlei raised his eyebrows and smiled, "You're amazing! You've put Luo Gongqiao and An Chengyuan in an awkward position." Zhu Zhanlei gave a thumbs up; he wasn't joking, he genuinely admired them.

Luo Gongqiao and An Chengyuan were not considered to have low social status in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, they were both old bureaucrats, yet Xu Yuan managed to drive them away.

Xiang Qinghuai said worriedly, "That was too impulsive. An Chengyuan will definitely hold a grudge..."

Xu Yuan said, "Brother Xiang, he has been holding a grudge for a long time. Ever since we arrived at the dock, he has been finding fault with us, hasn't he?"

Xiang Qinghuai opened his mouth, but in the end he could only nod helplessly.

"Since that's the case, why bother with pretense? Let's take this opportunity to let them know that we, the people of the Exorcism Division, also have tempers!"

If you don't provoke them, they'll think you're a pushover and keep taking advantage of you.

Xiang Qinghuai was still very worried, but there was no point in saying anything more now that things had come to this.

Xu Yuan asked Zhu Zhanlei, "Everyone else went to apologize to Luo Gongqiao, why didn't you go?"

"I'm not going." Zhu Zhanlei's eyes darted away.

Xu Yuan immediately understood the reason and looked at him with a smile.

Zhu Zhanlei waved his hand: "Let's go back first."

After leaving the yamen and arriving at the courtyard where Xu Yuan was temporarily staying, Zhu Zhanlei said, "That other fourth-rate Shen Chen has a subordinate named Xu Miaozhi who has some grudges against me. I'm afraid I won't have a good time these days."

Upon hearing the name, Xu Yuan exclaimed, "A woman?"

Zhu Zhanlei, enraged, retorted, "What kind of look is that? It's not what you think! This young master would never stoop to such a thing as starting something and then abandoning it."

This young master always pays for goods immediately!

If they really took advantage of the girl, they would definitely make sure everything was settled clearly; whatever the girl wanted, they would give her!

Xu Yuan frowned. "Isn't this the same as going to the White Moon Pavilion? How can you say it so confidently?"
"So how exactly did the conflict begin?"

Zhu Zhanlei hummed: "Back then, my family intended to arrange a marriage between the two of us. We met and looked at each other. She was quite willing, but I didn't like her."

She then came to hate me.

She spends all day saying that I broke her heart and vows to become someone I can't afford to be near.

From then on, she devoted herself entirely to the government office, and as a result, not only did she rise to the position of River Patrol Commissioner in just three years, but I also heard that her future prospects are very promising. It's possible that this young master will really be unable to reach her level..."

Xu Yuan laughed as he listened: "You're just a lowly inspector?"

Zhu Zhanlei blushed: "This young master's ambitions lie elsewhere."

"Alright, stop making excuses for yourself." Xu Yuan bluntly exposed him: "Even if you try your best, you can't beat them."

Zhu Zhanlei was unconvinced, but Xu Yuan waved his hand to interrupt him and said, "Have you ever thought that she might not actually be interested in you either?"

"How could that be!" Zhu Zhanlei raised his voice, extremely confident: "Her hatred for me stems from love turned to hate!"

Xiang Qinghuai also noticed something amiss and covered his mouth to chuckle.

Zhu Zhanlei, embarrassed and annoyed, asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Xiang Qinghuai had long understood the temperament of this spoiled brat from a prominent family, and immediately said bluntly, "Young Master Zhu, that Xu Miaozhi is probably using you as an excuse to deal with her family. After that, it will be difficult for her family to force her to get married. She originally aspired to officialdom and did not want to be an ordinary wife and mother."

Zhu Zhanlei looked puzzled, scratched his head, and thought for a while: "Really?"

Xiang Qinghuai comforted him again: "Of course, it is also possible that Lord Xu and I guessed wrong. The truth is that she hated you because of her love for you, who is handsome and dashing."

Zhu Zhanlei then understood: "That must be it!"

When it was time for dinner, Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei arrived.

"Lord Luo said that two fourth-rate members of the Fu family will arrive the day after tomorrow. Everyone should prepare in the next two days. After the four fourth-rate members meet, they will attack Ghost Witch Mountain together."

Zhu Zhanlei curled his lip: "Luo Gongqiao came up here and threw a tantrum, blaming us for not daring to go into the mountains. Isn't he the same? He only dared to go in when the other two fourth-rate people arrived. Humph!"

Zhu Zhanmei raised her hand and slapped him on the scalp: "Don't talk nonsense, you'll get into trouble for what you say!"

Zhu Zhanlei retorted angrily, "Stop hitting people all the time! If you're so fierce, you'll never get married!"

Zhu Zhanmei raised her hand in anger again, but for some reason, she held back and pulled it back.

"Lord Xu," Zhu Zhanmei ignored her younger brother and said to Xu Yuan, "Lord Luo has entrusted the task of finding a guide to our Shanhe Division. Does Lord Xu really not want to go?"

Xu Yuan snorted coldly: "Going is fine, but Ghost Witch Mountain is so dangerous, and since that villain was able to kill the Crown Princess and Seventeenth Uncle, he must be extremely skilled. This trip will be exceptionally dangerous. Why should I, a member of the Exorcism Division, risk my life with the Canal Administration?"

Miao Yu then laughed and said, "How about that? I guessed right, didn't I? This kid won't act until he sees the benefit."

Zhu Zhanmei gently shook her head: "He's just a guide; Lord Luo won't offer much in return."

Xu Yuan waved his hand and said, "Just go to Qihetai Town and find someone who often goes into the mountains."

Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanmei then said nothing more.

They didn't necessarily require Xu Yuan to go with them.

……

That night, Xu Yuan controlled the leather dragon and swam upstream for dozens of miles.

The speed of the pilong in the water was truly faster than that of a galloping horse.

Then it opened its belly and devoured some water snakes, giant softshell turtles, crocodiles and the like.

The daily practice of cultivating the "Dragon Transformation Method" involves feeding on these so-called "dragons".

The higher the quality of the bait, the greater the progress.

However, the bait should not exceed one's own level.

The Dragon Transformation Technique cannot be refined.

In one night, Pilong devoured thirty-six "dragons," all of which were evil spirits.

Then he found a calm bay by the river and began refining it underwater.

All over Pilong's body, various deformities, fleshy tendrils, abscesses, and other growths kept appearing...

It became extremely swollen, resembling a monstrous mass of flesh!

The shape of the "dragon" is completely unrecognizable.

The cultivation process of many practitioners is actually like this.

For example, if a martial arts practitioner consumes certain metals, they will often become strange and unusual.

Trapped in place and unable to move, it slowly reverts to human form.

A meteor once fell in the northwest of Zhengzhou, scattering into countless pieces of meteorite iron on a stretch of Gobi Desert.

Local martial arts practitioners who consume this celestial iron will transform into a half-human, half-insect state.

It will take three years of seclusion to fully regain human form.

However, this kind of celestial iron is extremely effective for the growth of martial arts practitioners. As long as one consumes it, one can comprehend a new "martial secret".

However, after three years of seclusion, he failed to regain his human form and instead transformed into a bizarre and monstrous form, accounting for more than 50% of his transformations!

It wasn't until dawn that Pilong slowly erased the various deformities on its body, returning to its dragon form. Then, wagging its tail, it swam back to the canal dock downstream.

……

Early in the morning, Xu Yuan was eating breakfast when he heard a series of shouts outside. Zhu Zhanlei rushed in.

"Where's your Dafu? I need Dafu's help, Master Dafu! Master Dafu, are you there? Name your price, how many bugs do you need, and I'll go catch them for you..."

Xu Yuan was both amused and exasperated: "What are you doing? Dafu is in the city..."

"Gah?"

Suddenly, a goose's head popped out from the doorway.

Dafu stared intently at Zhu Zhanlei. "I think I heard you guys talking about bugs."
Xu Yuan was also taken aback: "When did you arrive?"

Dafu arrived yesterday afternoon.

I didn't come here specifically looking for food.

It was because of the last time he ate near the canal wharf. Although he felt a little unwell after eating, for some reason, Dafu suddenly felt that he had a lot of energy after that!
During this period, they also seized several more streets of territory around the Champa government.

Yesterday, I suddenly felt that the "effects" of the medicine seemed to be wearing off.

Dafu felt unwell all over.

So he quietly slipped out again and went to the vicinity of the canal wharf. Unexpectedly, he smelled the aroma of rice dregs and came looking for them.

Upon seeing Dafu, Zhu Zhanlei was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Master Dafu, you must help me get revenge! I've never been bullied like this in my entire life!"

"Come with me, I'll point you to someone in a bit, and you help me give that woman's ass a good peck..."

Xu Yuan quickly grabbed him: "What exactly happened?"

Zhu Zhanlei shook off his hand: "Don't stop me, I'm going to make that woman regret this!"

Xu Yuan: "Unless you explain yourself clearly, I will never lend you Dafu!"

Zhu Zhanlei huffed, "You're really not a good friend! I was hoping to set you up with my third sister, but now that's not going to happen!"

Xu Yuan was both amused and exasperated: "Tell me quickly, what exactly did Xu Miaozhi do to you?"

"She instigated Luo Gongqiao to order me to impersonate the Crown Princess's younger brother, Fu Yuhuan, as bait to lure out the villain who was secretly practicing the Dragon Transformation Technique in Ghost Witch Mountain!"

Xu Yuan frowned. This plan... to be fair, it really is a good idea.

Since the so-called "villain" practiced the Dragon Transformation Technique, he must also know that devouring other people who practice the Dragon Transformation Technique can greatly increase his own level.

It is perfectly reasonable for Fu Yuhuan, as the Crown Princess's younger brother, to go into the mountains to avenge his sister.

Four mediocre individuals storming into Ghost Witch Mountain together might actually scare the "bad guy" so much that he wouldn't dare show his face.

If he hides deep within Ghost Mountain and doesn't show up, this case still won't be solved.

From Xu Miaozhi's perspective, the fact that she could come up with this solution shows that this woman does indeed have some ability.

"She deliberately set me up!" Zhu Zhanlei was furious. "Who doesn't know that Fu Yuhuan is a slut!"

Xu Yuan was taken aback. It turned out that what angered Young Master Zhu was not that he had been used as "bait" and that it would be very dangerous for him to go into the mountains.

Instead, Xu Miaozhi asked him to play a rabbit figurine.

"My reputation is ruined!"

Xu Yuan noticed another crucial point and asked, "You're asked to impersonate Fu Yuhuan, but you don't know the 'Dragon Transformation Technique.' How can you make the person in the mountains believe you?"

Zhu Zhanlei said, "That woman has a crafted item in her hand, which was made from materials from the body of an evil dragon."

She lent me this craftsman's tool, instructing me to find some evil spirits to perform some rituals on after I went into the mountains, so that any villain who secretly saw it would take the bait.

Xu Yuan asked calmly, "What level of craftsmanship is that piece?"

"Fifth-rate".

Xu Yuan pondered in his heart that the "material" used to forge this artifact was at least fifth-rate, or even possibly fourth-rate!
(End of this chapter)