Under One Person: The Taoist Priest Descends the Mountain

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Cheng Mo walked up to Zhang San'er, looked down at him, and said, "Why did you have to go looking for a beating?"

Zhang San'er glared at him, the bloodshot in his eyes still visible, but the previous ferocity was gone.

He was panting heavily, his chest heaving violently, and smoke was billowing from his entire body. His silvery-white skin had turned completely grayish-black, and cracks extended from his shoulder to his wrist.

"Who...are you?"

Cheng Mo stood up and dusted off his knees: "Just passing by."

Xia Liuqing clicked his tongue twice: "You brat, you're getting more and more skilled at using magic."

Zhang San'er: "..."

In the corner, Xiaolong watched this scene, feeling a bit bewildered.

This time, Uncle Hat received a tip that the murderer Zhang San'er was coming to Liulin Town for a party.

This man was an extremely cunning and cruel murderer, skilled at disguise, and never appeared with the same face twice. But there was one thing—every time he appeared, he was very tall. Uncle Hat determined several characteristics based on the profile.

This morning, someone anonymously reported that a person who looks extremely similar to Zhang San'er was coming to Liulin Town to participate in a gathering.

In a very short time, Uncle Hat gathered information and learned that this gathering was actually related to Qian Wanli.

Xiao Long then volunteered to come and investigate.

His main target was Qian Wanli, and if he could also locate Zhang San'er, that would be a bonus.

However, upon arriving at the scene, they did find several tall figures, but none of them matched Zhang San'er.

Judging from his physique, only this tall, fat man seems to fit the description, but here's the problem—he works as a bodyguard for a boss surnamed Cai.

You should know that Zhang San'er was always the leader when he appeared before.

This is very strange.

After Xiaolong reported the situation, his superiors arranged for someone to come and assist him, and told him to hold back for the time being.

But now...

Xiao Long quickly took out his phone and called Uncle Hat: "Hey, Captain Li, is that person Zhang San'er confirmed?"

A steady voice came from the other end of the phone: "How are you so sure?"

Xiao Long looked at the now docile fat man without changing his expression: "On-site uniform, identity confirmed."

Team Leader Li: "...Are you alone?"

Xiao Long: "Captain Li, forget about that for now, where are you guys?"

"It's already on its way, it'll be there in twenty minutes."

After hanging up, Xiaolong dialed Xu Si's number again.

Beep—Connection complete.

"Fourth Brother, in the case we're cooperating on, the murderer Zhang San'er has appeared. He's a successor of the Ink Tendon Soft Bone Sect. We don't need any support."

Xu Si paused for a moment: "What the hell? You're so nervous you can't even speak properly?"

Xiao Long took a deep breath: "The successor of the Ink Tendon Soft Bone Sect does not need support."

Xu Si: "Huh? You're that good now? Or did you figure out a trick to drug that guy?"

Xiao Long's lips twitched.

He desperately wanted to switch places with Cheng Mo, step on Zhang San'er's head, and solemnly tell Fourth Brother, "I was the one who handled this all by myself..."

However, he was indeed no match for him: "It was Master Cheng who intervened and controlled Zhang San'er after Zhang San'er had a conflict and fight with Xia Liuqing."

Xu Si was silent for a moment, then said, "That makes sense."

Xiao Long: "..."

He took a deep breath: "I've already notified Uncle Hat. Fourth Brother, if you don't want to ask them for people, you should arrange for someone to come as soon as possible."

Xu Si asked in confusion, "Aren't you right there?"

Xiao Long gripped his phone tightly: "Fourth Brother, my ambition is to wear that hat."

Xu Si chuckled, "Alright, alright, I've already arranged for people to come. But how did Cheng Mo and the others end up in Willow Grove Town?"

"I don't know either."

"Why don't you just go ask?" Xu Si was getting exasperated. "You're the relevant person in charge now. Go up there, find out what's going on, take over the case. Don't you understand?"

Xiao Long: "...I understand."

After hanging up the phone, he put it in his pocket, straightened his clothes, and took two steps forward.

"Comrade, I am the head of the relevant department, and this is my identification."

He pulled out his identification from his pocket and waved it in front of Cheng Mo: "This person is a suspect in a major criminal case we have been investigating for a long time, suspected of multiple intentional homicides. In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, I will now take coercive measures against him. Please cooperate."

"We've already met, why all this fuss?" Cheng Mo waved his hand. "Come on, give him the Biyuan acupuncture."

Xiao Long walked over and took out a few Biyuan needles from his pocket.

Although Zhang San'er was pinned down and unable to move, he struggled a bit when he saw someone approaching. The metallic luster on his arm reappeared, and dark red Qi seeped out from the gray-black cracks.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Mo formed a hand seal.

"The character '离' (li) is roasted over fire!"

A wave of heat surged from his palm, baking Zhang San'er's body. His metallic skin turned red from the heat, and he let out a muffled groan.

"The character '坎' (Kan) means 'waterlogged'!"

A jet of water was poured over him; his scalding skin sizzled as it came into contact with the water, and steam rose up.

"The character 'Kun' represents an earthen seal!"

The soil on the ground surged up and covered his hands and feet, leaving only his head and neck exposed.

Zhang San'er: "..."

Cheng Mo patted his face: "Want to try again?" He then flipped him over.

Zhang San'er stopped moving completely.

Xiao Long got the hang of it easily, precisely inserting several closed-center needles into the acupoints on the cervical spine.

Cheng Mo dispelled the spell, stood up, and clapped his hands: "I remember he had an accomplice, that Boss Cai. Why don't you take some men and arrest that guy too?"

Xiao Long remained calm: "My colleagues are on their way."

Cheng Mo was silent for two seconds: "...Now I know why this guy dares to swagger around like that. It's been so long, and he's still on his way."

Xiao Long could only smile and say, "Anyway, thank you very much, Master Cheng."

On the other side, Boss Cai was sitting in a dilapidated van, heading towards Village Chief Hu's village.

This guy is really loyal; even though he's the boss, he's still busy cleaning up after his boss.

As he drove, he muttered to himself, "Looks like the boss has really messed up this time. We can't let this treasure we worked so hard to find fall into someone else's hands. Don't worry, boss, I'll definitely use this treasure to turn things around for us."

The bread cart bumped along the dirt road, kicking up a cloud of dust.

……

Hu Haishan was very depressed.

The rumors Shi Daquan spread throughout the village had reached everyone – that Hu Haishan had caused trouble, forcing Boss Cai to lower the price by 400,000 yuan, and that if the village didn't sell the orchard, Boss Cai would move elsewhere.

He was stopped at the village entrance by several villagers, who all complained about him.

"Haishan, what are you doing? Boss Cai has already given you a lot of money, what are you making a fuss about?"

"That's right, the next village only gives 300 yuan per mu, we give 500 here, and you still think it's not enough?"

"You can't do this recklessly! If this orchard doesn't sell, who will compensate our village for the losses?"

Hu Haishan tried to explain for a long time, but no one listened. The more he explained, the more the villagers felt he was making excuses.

Hu Haishan had no choice but to walk out. As he walked along the village road, Shi Daquan rode past him on his motorcycle, deliberately slowing down: "Haishan, because of this commotion, Boss Cai will cut the price by 400,000. Will you compensate for that loss then?"

Hu Haishan clenched his fists: "I wasn't making a scene! I heard it..."

Shi Daquan scoffed, "What did you hear? Are your ears on someone else's body? Let me tell you, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll sue you for defamation!"

After saying that, he twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle roared away.

Hu Haishan felt a tightness in his chest as he watched the exhaust fumes from the motorcycle.

He turned and walked toward the apple orchard.

The trees, planted over seven or eight years, have grown from tiny saplings the thickness of a finger to large trees as thick as an arm. They bloom in spring and bear fruit in autumn. Year after year, he has poured all his heart and soul into this forest.

He's reluctant to sell it now.

He wanted to take another look.