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Chapter 519 Setback
When Xu Yuan first mentioned this play to Da Fu, Da Fu immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum, refusing to agree to it no matter what.

But after Xu Yuan explained the details, Dafu agreed.

And then he went to tell the geese about it himself, all excited and eager.

In Dafu's words, the scene of "ganging up on the little yellow bird and bullying the lone bird" became something he worked hard to fight for for the goose sisters.

They also said something like: "According to the script of Fan Zhezi, it should have been that bitch Huang Shenying who beat you up, since that bitch is really stronger."

It was all thanks to your husband, who argued with reason, that you were given this opportunity to vent your anger!

Now there's no doubt that I have something going on with that bitch.

The geese were deeply moved!
Then when they tried to catch the Yellow-bodied Warbler, they almost wanted to make it real—unfortunately, they didn't have that ability.

That desolate forest was the "new home" that Xu Yuan found for the geese.

A wall will be built around it in the future; it won't take much effort.

Dafu was just worried that once His Highness's building was completed, the wild geese would definitely move back. What should he do?
Luo Bei searched the streets, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with fury.

Something must have been here, otherwise, it's impossible for all the evil spirits to have vanished without a trace!

They were scared away by something!
Luo Bei immediately thought of... those two little foxes!
This group of "plague insects" was hard-won.

The method of using the "deadly technique" is fixed.

However, different strategies need to be used for different objectives.

Those plague insects love to suck blood. Luo Bei fed the insects with his own body, and his arms are still covered in welts that haven't completely healed.

I scratched myself raw because it was so itchy.

My arms are covered in bloodstains!
Moreover, those mosquitoes sucked all the blood from his body.

He relied on his own strength to both generate blood and feed it to them...

This has caused him to suffer from qi and blood deficiency these past few days.

Don't be fooled by his nonchalant demeanor in the face of the plague; it's all an act.

This "life of plague insects" was hard-won for him.

And then it just disappeared so inexplicably?!
The more Luo Bei thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

Xu Yuan discovered it?

Or is there some dark entity in this Champa city... staring at me?

He still felt it shouldn't be Xu Yuan.

He felt that he hadn't revealed anything to Xu Yuan—even if he wanted to, he wouldn't have had the chance, since Xu Yuan wouldn't even see him.

Luo Bei's overconfidence makes it extremely difficult for him to change his mind once he's made up his mind about something.

For example, he never imagined that the problem would be with Wei Jinyuan.

Because he had already mentally categorized Wei Jinyuan as "incompetent".

Luo Bei searched for another half hour, but still found no trace of the "life of the plague insect". He could only curse under his breath and give up for the time being.

He was always gentle and refined in public and never swore.

If you keep up the act for a long time... you'll still act the same way even when no one's around.

This time, I used foul language because I was genuinely on the verge of a breakdown.

After thinking it over, he decided that he should start his investigation with those two little foxes!
But it was too late tonight, so Luo Bei, filled with rage and nowhere to vent his anger, turned back and ventured into the desolate forest to settle old scores with those geese.

The wilderness was completely empty!
There was some bird droppings on the ground.

Luo Bei roared to the sky, "Ah—"

This young master has been tricked by evil spirits!
……

"Dreams come true"—he swayed back to the yamen and drove himself to Xu Yuan's courtyard.

He wanted to show off his achievements to Xu Yuan.

But after listening... I realized that Xu Yuan had actually fallen asleep!
"Dreams Come True" rested in the courtyard.

Xu Yuan would not take any threat lightly, but he certainly didn't take Luo Bei too seriously either.

This is the powerful confidence that comes from being a fourth-rate person.

With everything arranged and his subordinates ready to carry it out, Xu Yuan went to sleep.

Luobei is not worth Lord Xu staying up all night waiting for news.

When dawn broke, Xu Yuan opened the door and saw "Dreams Come True" lying at the door like a loyal dog. He smiled and said, "You succeeded?"

As he spoke, he rubbed the car door with his hand.

After these few times, Xu Yuan also discovered some sensitive spots of "dreams come true", namely the most comfortable spot on the lower left side of the car door.

Enjoying the "dream come true" feeling of being rocked back and forth a few times, she then opened the car door and invited Xu Yuan inside.

If the "Life of the Plague Insects" is taken out, Luo Bei will sense it.

Xu Yuan understood the meaning of "dreams come true," but after entering, he discovered that the carriage contained a special space.

Everything here seems illusory; for example, there are countless beautiful flowers that bloom rapidly, and then all the flowers burst like bubbles.

Suddenly, countless palaces and pavilions rose up in all directions, magnificent and imposing, but the moment they were all completed was the moment they vanished.

It was blown away like sand in the wind.

A drop of blood fell and transformed into a juvenile form, which quickly grew into a mythical beast such as a black bird or an elephant tortoise.

However, the moment they reach adulthood, their entire bodies collapse, turning into a white bubble, and ultimately vanishing into nothingness.

Everything here is different from the Zhuojian and Lingxiao places that Xu Yuan had seen before.

But the Yellow-bellied Warbler was very comfortable in this space, as if this were... its home?
Xu Yuan nodded to himself. This might be a hint to him regarding the origin of the yellow oriole, that "dreams come true".

That's another space!
A completely different world.

Then, Xu Yuan saw the life of that clump of plague insects.

Upon closer inspection—this includes two diseases: tuberculosis and cadaveric tuberculosis.

Just by looking at the ferocity of these two types of tuberculosis, Xu Yuan curled his lip in disdain.

Lord Xu had seen the "carbuncle crow" before.

That one was also one of the fifteen "fathers" in Ghost Witch Mountain, a place beyond the reach of civilization, where plague was the most prevalent!

Luo Bei still didn't understand Lord Xu enough. By starting with epidemics and creating a plague in the Bitter Water Cellar, he was indeed leaving no trace, but it didn't stump Lord Xu.

But this mass of "plague insect lives" gave Xu Yuan another clue: "This guy... like Bai Huahun, has the ability to strip away lives?"

Xu Yuan's expression changed slightly: "Also a life cultivator?"

But Xu Yuan observed carefully for a while longer and shook his head slightly: "It's not a method of life cultivation, that's strange!"

Xu Yuan's spirits lifted, and he became interested.

It wasn't a method of cultivating life, yet it was still able to extract certain abilities from the target's "life" and form this "plague insect life," and it was able to transfer the abilities within the "life" to other living beings!
"This is pretty good!" Xu Yuan then became completely absorbed in studying it in the carriage.

……

When Dafu woke up early in the morning, all he could hear was the clear chirping of the water birds outside.

Melodious and clear.

Dafu experienced the long-lost sense of peace and happiness upon waking up early in the morning.

As expected, Fan Zhezi's idea was good.

By separating the two sides so they wouldn't interfere with each other, I finally found peace and quiet.

But Dafu is not the kind of person who is truly heartless.

It was concerned about the geese, so it hurriedly got up to find food.

It staggered into Xu Yuan's courtyard and saw that the door was open and no one was inside.

The most annoying carriage was also parked in the courtyard, its door open.

Needless to say?
Dafu glared with his goose-like eyes and was about to rush into the carriage when a voice from inside stopped him: "Dafu, don't be reckless!"

Dafu was taken aback; it was indeed Fanzhezi's voice.

Dafu paused, spread its wings, and called out "Ang Ang," circling the carriage twice.

Suddenly, Fan Zhezi's stern voice rang out from inside the carriage again: "From now on, you are not allowed to offend 'Dreams Come True'. If you see it, you must immediately step back to the side of the road and kneel down to greet it!"

"Huh?!" Dafu exclaimed suddenly. What did you say?
Fan Zhezi's voice came again: "What, does my word no longer carry weight? If you don't listen, I'll kick your whole family out of the house!"

Da Fu's small brain started working frantically.

After a long time... I finally figured it out, and with a loud "Gah!" I jumped up to peck at "Dream Come True".

This broken-down vehicle used its ability to disguise the sound of rice ruts!

"Boom!"

Dafu slammed his lip into the carriage.

Dafu was truly furious this time.

For a fleeting moment, Dafu truly believed that Fanzhezi was being so heartless towards him!

Two large tears almost fell from my eyes.

A board suddenly rose up from somewhere on the carriage.

This board... I don't know what material it's made of, it seems both soft and hard, and it's full of resilience.

Dafu couldn't even get the chisel into his mouth.

The resilient recoil made Dafu see stars, and he fell back down, landing hard on his backside...

After a short pause, Daifu solemnly assumed a fighting stance.

With its wings spread wide, body lowered, neck and head stretched out, it looks like a long spear!
It accelerated... then slid in and disappeared under the carriage.

Then, without saying a word, he started hacking at the bottom of the car!
This immediately exploited the weakness of "dreams coming true," and the carriage began to shake violently.

It's like someone whose limbs are held down and they can't move, and then you frantically manipulate their ticklish spots.

"Dreams come true" - a hasty escape.

Dafu was also fast and immediately followed, but it was impossible for him to get out from under the carriage.

This alerted Xu Yuan, who was inside the carriage.

However, Xu Yuan has already figured out what is hidden in the "Destiny of the Plague Insects".

"It seems to be a kind of law..."

Suddenly, the space inside the carriage shook violently. Xu Yuan came out to take a look and was immediately at a loss for words. He reached out and pulled Dafu out from under the carriage.

Daifuku kept pecking at it with its flat beak.

"Alright..." Xu Yuan was about to scold Dafu when he saw Dafu's aggrieved face, looking like he was about to cry.

"What's wrong?" Xu Yuan asked curiously.

“Ang ang ang…” Dafu complained and tattled.

Xu Yuan understood.

"Dreams come true" is indeed going too far this time.

"How can you be so ridiculous? We're all family!" Xu Yuan scolded "Dream Come True" with a stern face.

The carriage shook itself twice in protest.

Xu Yuan added, "You deserve great credit for last night's operation, but now that your merits and demerits have been balanced, there will be no reward!"

Although "Dream Come True" didn't know what reward the master would give it, it sensed the master's mood and realized he was genuinely angry, so it quieted down and the carriage became still.

With his master's backing, Dafu became smug, spreading his large wings and cawing a few times. Xu Yuan knew Dafu's purpose: "Don't worry, the geese are fine. I will definitely keep my promise. In a few days, I will send people to build a garden in the wasteland."

This matter cannot be rushed; we must deal with Luo Bei first.

Furthermore, does that piece of land in the wasteland have an owner? If so, we need to buy it first.

Fortunately, the land around the Bitter Water Cellar wasn't expensive.

Dafu left satisfied.

"Dreams Come True" also tried to sneak out—but being such a big thing, the moment it moved, it heard the master shout, "Come back!"

"My dream has come true," he returned reluctantly and slowly.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw it like that.

The phrase "dreams come true" has recently become increasingly associated with dogs.

This looks exactly like "Big Yellow" who has done something wrong and been caught.

Although this is a minor matter, it involves some serious issues, and Xu Yuan must not tolerate it.

Xu Yuan said coldly and seriously, "Remember this: never impersonate me without my permission!"

"Dreams Come True" listened obediently.

"Did you remember that?!" Xu Yuan pressed sternly.

The phrase "dreams come true" is gently shaken to indicate that it has been remembered.

"You really remembered it?"

"Dreams Come True" came up and rubbed its huge body against Xu Yuan's... It probably didn't know when it saw those mastiffs rubbing against His Highness's feet.

So I also wanted to learn how to rub my body against the old man's calves.

But its size... that bump almost sent Xu Yuan flying!
Xu Yuan was completely embarrassed.

Luckily, I have the "Dragon Transformation Technique" as a foundation, otherwise, which master could resist your coquettishness?

"Alright," Xu Yuan decided to let it go, and also to let himself go: "Just remember it, go."

After all, in this world, only Lord Xu is the only one who can exert his power while standing in a horse stance and enduring his "pet's" tantrums.
"Dream Come True" immediately ran off happily.

Lord Xu was unaware that he had actually made a mistake.

While strictly preventing "Dreams Come True" from recklessly impersonating others, it left "Dreams Come True" with the impression that: Oh, if you make a mistake, you can get away with it by just sidling up with the master!

After that...

Xu Yuan had just sent "Dream Come True" away when Ge Bei'er came to call him: "His Highness wants to see you."

After His Highness bravely and directly expressed his feelings that day, Xu Yuan avoided her.

"I have very important matters to attend to today and cannot accompany Your Highness."

Xu Yuan declined again—but before he could finish speaking, he heard His Highness's voice ring out from outside the courtyard gate: "What could be more important than me?"

A figure flashed at the courtyard gate, and His Highness walked in.

She wore only light makeup and a simple, plain-colored long dress for ease of movement.

If a person is naturally beautiful, they will look good in anything.

Your Highness is just like that. Today, your attire is neat and refreshing, yet it exudes a heroic and dashing air amidst your bright and beautiful appearance.

"Uh..." Xu Yuan was cornered in the courtyard, so he had no choice but to tell them about Luo Bei and then explain what he was going to do that day.

His Highness listened with great interest, his eyes sparkling: "This sounds like a lot of fun, I'll go with you."

"Your Highness..." Xu Yuan and Ge Bei'er tried to dissuade him together.

But before she could finish speaking, His Highness raised his hand to stop her: "Don't say anything more. I've been feeling stifled in the yamen these past few days and just wanted to go out for a walk to clear my head."

Her bright eyes darted around: "This mere Luobei, surely Lord Xu can protect me perfectly, right, Lord Xu?"

Xu Yuan looked to Ge Beier for help.

Ge Beier smiled wryly and said, "I'll go and invite Mr. Wenqi."

Her Highness cultivates the "Mind-Based Method," so who can stop her from doing whatever she wants?
His Highness then said to Xu Yuan, "Don't worry, I... will follow you without revealing my identity or ruining your plans."

Luo Bei has never seen me before, so he won't give himself away.

……

Luo Bei was so angry that her stomach ached and she couldn't sleep all night.

As soon as it was light, he had no interest in paying attention to Wei Jinyuan and immediately went out.

If he had asked Wei Jinyuan one more question, he would have known that this place in Champa was different from other places, and that the Exorcism Division and the Mountain and River Division had a close relationship!
A certain official of the Mountain and River Division wished he were inseparable from the Champa law chief of the Purification Division.

Wei Jinyuan was in his room and had also become aware of Luo Bei's actions the previous night.

This morning, Luo Bei seemed rather exasperated.

Wei Jinyuan chuckled inwardly.

He went to "tell on" Xu Yuan, not because he was on Xu Yuan's side.

Rather, it's to absolve themselves of any responsibility.

Simply put, when Lord Xu deals with Luo Bei, don't let it affect me.

If Luo Bei asks him about everything concerning Xu Yuan, he will tell him the truth!
The reason is simple: he's happy to see Xu Yuan and Luo Bei fighting each other openly and secretly!

After leaving the inn, Luo Bei headed straight for the Shanhe Si Yamen (the office of the Mountain and River Bureau).

He thought about it for a long time last night and actually found a connection with the Shanhe Division of Champa.

His last close friend, who died young, was named Wan Yingtong.

A few years ago, I went to Jiaozhi with my father. After returning, I mentioned to Luo Bei the friends I had made there.

The Wan family had a deep-rooted background, and those who could associate with him were naturally all from prominent families, including the Zhu family of Jiaozhi.

Zhu Zhanlei.

When Luo Bei arrived at Shanhe Division, he asked the captain at the gate to deliver a letter inside.

The post clearly states: "To fulfill the last wish of my late friend, I have come to pay my respects to Mr. Zhu Zhanlei."

Luo Bei is very confident this time.

The scions of prominent families wouldn't be as rude and disrespectful as Xu Yuan, directly turning people away from the door.

Regardless of whether Zhu Zhanlei still remembered Wan Yingtong, they were both from prominent families, so he had to give them some face.

Sure enough, the captain returned shortly afterward, bowed to Luo Bei, and stepped aside, saying, "Please, young master."

Zhu Zhanlei's courtyard is exceptionally exquisite.

If you have a discerning eye, you'll be able to tell that the entire gate has been replaced.

The wood used is all top-quality small-leaf sandalwood.

The iron parts, such as the corner protectors and door knockers, are all gold-plated!

The artificial hill in the courtyard is made of Taihu stones, which were transported from Zhengzhou, a long distance away.

The bricks paving the ground are said to come from the same kiln as the gold bricks in the Forbidden City! But they are much thicker and wider.

At first glance, this courtyard is just a bit tidier than other places, but if you ask around, you'll find that a huge amount of money was spent on it.

Young Master Zhan Lei loves this style!
When Luo Bei was led in, Zhu Zhanlei met him in the main hall.

Luo Bei vaguely sensed that there were other people in the back room.

Moreover, I could smell a faint scent of women's cosmetics.

Luo Bei chuckled inwardly, but didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Which son of a prominent family isn't a womanizer?
Four people were sitting in the back room.

Xu Yuan and His Highness were in front, followed by Mr. Wenqi and Ge Beier.

Apart from Mr. Vinci, who seemed indifferent to everything, everyone else had strange expressions.

His Highness, in particular, had been holding back his laughter, and it was quite a struggle for him.

Xu Yuan was explaining some things to Zhu Zhanlei.

These things are, of course, related to Luobei.

Halfway through the conversation, a captain came to report that the young master of Luobei had come to pay a visit!
His Highness grew increasingly disdainful of this "unparalleled talent of the three sects" and "the number one young person in Jiangbei."

Rumors say you are "resourceful," "visionary," and "exceptionally intelligent," but this is all you've got since you arrived in Champa.
His Highness shook his head, feeling that the reputation was undeserved.

In the main hall, Luo Bei and Zhu Zhanlei demonstrated a standard social procedure between scions of prominent families.

The two first exchanged ages, with Luo Bei being three years older, and then they began to address each other as "Brother Luo" and "Brother Zhan Lei".

Then they reminisced about Wan Yingtong. When they got emotional, they all sighed and lamented that such a talented person was killed young.

Anyone who heard this would assume that the two of them and Wan Yingtong must be very close friends.

But in reality, Wan Yingtong was killed by Luo Bei.

Zhu Zhanlei had almost completely forgotten that such a person existed...

They went on like this, getting off-topic and rambling on pointlessly for a good half hour.

Xu Yuan, growing impatient, quietly got up and found an angle where he could see Luo Bei through a gap.

It must be admitted that Luo Bei has a striking appearance.

But what Lord Xu cares about is his fate!
The "Wang Ming" was activated, and Xu Yuan looked at him—

Upon seeing this, Xu Yuan felt a sharp pain in his eyes, as if he had been stabbed by dozens of steel needles.

A buzzing sound went through my mind, and I felt dizzy for a moment.

He swayed slightly, but fortunately, thanks to the Dragon Transformation Technique, Xu Yuan didn't collapse!
When His Highness saw Xu Yuan get up, he curiously followed. Just as he was about to get close to Xu Yuan and peek ahead, he saw Xu Yuan suddenly sway, close his eyes, and a line of bloody tears flow down from his eyes!

His Highness was so startled that he opened his mouth to shout, but then suddenly realized what he had done and covered his mouth tightly.

Her Highness's pretty face immediately turned cold, and she clenched her teeth!

Luo Bei is so cunning!

I don't know what means they used to assassinate Xu Lang!

His Highness mercilessly swept Luo Bei into the "must be killed" category in his heart.

But now, His Highness supported Xu Yuan and quietly retreated.

Mr. Wenqi was already standing beside His Highness.

Ge Bei'er reacted a step too slow and stepped forward, but was stopped by His Highness's eyes.

The four of them went out through the back door and arrived at Miao Yu's courtyard next door.

His Highness then dared to speak, his tone revealing obvious anxiety: "What happened? Don't open your eyes yet..."

But Xu Yuan blinked and then opened his eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot and his vision was somewhat blurred.

"It's nothing serious," Xu Yuan said. "He'll be fine after a few days of rest."

"Did Luo Bei ambush you?"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and shook his head: "It shouldn't be."

Xu Yuan used "observation of fate" to look at Luobei, and he will see things clearly in time.

But Luo Bei has several "lives" in his body!
At first glance, Xu Yuan couldn't even tell which one was his "true destiny".

When I tried to see it clearly, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in both eyes!
Xu Yuan recalled the "method" in "The Fate of the Plague Insects" and realized: "His method is probably specifically designed to suppress those who cultivate life force!"

(End of this chapter)