Chapter 3, The Intelligent Person
Brother Huang, this bracelet of yours is polished so exquisitely and delicately, why does it seem like it is meant for a girl
Luck comes from the Crow Taoist. In the previous several murder cases, the renowned Taoist priests and monks around Luoshui City were heavily hired by the wealthy young victims, yet they also fell victim to the mysterious killer. Originally, the Crow Taoist, who only possessed mediocre talismanic skills, unexpectedly became the foremost expert in talismans and spells in this area. Before the high-ranking Taoist masters that the Luoshui Gang went to invite could arrive, they could only rely on him to maintain a semblance of authority in talismanic arts.
Between Yunzhou and Qingzhou, there are as many as 1,000 miles. It is also because this Luoshui City has both water and sea routes that one can occasionally see one or two native Yunzhou merchants coming here to do business. In this small inn, there are two such individuals, which can only be considered a fortunate coincidence. The Yunzhou man stared blankly at the young girl, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly stood up and walked over to greet her in the local dialect of Yunzhou. The girl, seeing a fellow townsman, also showed a joyful expression and invited the man to sit down. After a while, this Yunzhou man suddenly stood up and said loudly to the people around him: "Brothers and friends, I, Huang, have just arrived in Luoshui City a few days ago. I never expected to meet a fellow Yunzhou townsman here, a thousand miles away. I am truly delighted! Tonight's food and drinks are on me, so please feel free to enjoy!"
Recently, several inexplicable murder cases have occurred in Luoshui City, where several wealthy young masters were captured and brutally skinned alive until death. Originally, the task of apprehending the murderer should not have fallen to the Luoshui Gang, but at the beginning of this year, the young master Bai of the Luoshui Gang encountered a blind fortune teller. On a whim, he insisted that the blind man tell his fortune. The blind man initially refused, but eventually relented and spoke, saying that the young master Bai might face a bloody disaster in the second half of the year, resulting in a tragic death. Originally, the task of apprehending the murderer should not have fallen to the Luoshui Gang, but at the beginning of this year, the young master Bai of the Luoshui Gang encountered a blind fortune teller. On a whim, he insisted that the blind man tell his fortune. The blind man initially refused, but eventually relented and spoke, saying that the young master Bai might face a bloody disaster in the second half of the year, resulting in a tragic death.
The Luoshui Gang is not lacking in highly skilled individuals. The status of the top gangs in Qingzhou has been established through hard-fought battles. The three great protectors of the gang are among the top experts in the Qingzhou martial world, and the leaders under them are also exceptional talents, selected from a thousand candidates. Naturally, they are not afraid of ordinary monsters. However, the recent deaths of several monks, Taoists, and guards were not caused by ordinary individuals, and there were no traces left by the assailants. Therefore, the Luoshui Gang has sent people to invite masters from the Taoist and Buddhist sects while also issuing a public invitation for various extraordinary individuals skilled in dealing with monsters and ghosts to join as guest elders, in order to ensure comprehensive measures.
The original names of the indigenous people of Yunzhou are generally quite difficult to pronounce. Those who venture out into the world often adopt a name from the Central Plains. This Yunzhou man is particularly clever in this regard. However, the old protector, Master Zeng, who is seated in the grand chair, shows little interest in this. He merely raises his eyelids and淡淡 says: "I wonder what unique skills you have, my friend Huang, for dealing with demons and monsters?"
However, it is merely a fourth-grade demon soul... Elder Zeng frowned. This fourth-grade classification is neither low nor particularly high; the previous one, a mediocre practitioner of talismanic arts that was reluctantly accepted, was truly a last resort. If this one is the same... Money is not the issue, but it would not sound good if this were to be made public
Xia Xia followed his gaze and saw in the distance, in a corner, a young girl sitting alone at a small table, quietly focused on her meal. This girl also wore ornaments made of beast teeth and bones, and was dressed in the colorful feathered attire unique to the women of Yunzhou. While her appearance was not particularly beautiful, she exuded a shyness and freshness characteristic of a girl from the mountains. It was evident that this girl was also from Yunzhou
They have all become temporary guest officials of the Hunluoshui Gang, living off a meager meal. Xia casually seized an opportunity, as if she had noticed it by chance, and asked a question.
Sometimes, being clever is not necessarily a good thing, just like when luck arrives; it is difficult to determine whether it is good fortune or misfortune until the end. On the second day after Xiao Xia and the man from Yunzhou arrived, the young leader Bai disappeared.
In the inn, some guests were whispering and discussing among themselves, while others were quietly eating, most of the conversations revolving around the matter of the bounty. Suddenly, the burly man from Yunzhou let out a sound of surprise, stretching his neck to look in a certain direction, as if he had made a discovery
Sitting beside him, Xiao Xia happened to overhear this, paused for a moment, and then couldn't help but laugh, as he had just been muttering the same phrase to himself. The Luo Shui Gang controls the waterways and trade routes within a hundred miles of Luo Shui City. While it may not be said to be as wealthy as a nation, they certainly do not lack money. In order to protect the young gang leader, the old leader Bai has placed a substantial bounty, which is indeed quite significant. Even without mentioning the reward for capturing the murderer, simply managing to infiltrate as a guest elder to enjoy a meal is sufficient for many people. In the martial world, being able to enjoy a decent meal is not an easy feat.
"Damn it, what a pity, the guest elder of the Luoshui Gang." The burly man from Yunzhou muttered, licking his thick lips, shaking his head in regret.
As soon as I sat down, I encountered members of the Luoshui Gang putting up a notice board, offering a reward for clues regarding the sensational skinning murderer from today, as well as inviting various skilled martial artists adept at dealing with demons and monsters to serve as guest officials for the Luoshui Gang
Naturally, the young master dismissed such nonsense with a smile, and the blind man was thrown into the Luo River to feed the fish. Half a year later, this incident was almost forgotten, but suddenly the skinning murderer appeared in Luo Shui City, and the victims were surprisingly several of the young master's friends. Moreover, the guards and monks hired by several wealthy young masters died under mysterious circumstances, which finally alarmed the young master, prompting him to issue this notice.
This stout man still appeared quite simple-hearted, and he said loudly: "My surname is Huang, and I hail from Yunzhou. I have heard that Chief Bai is looking for someone to help capture demons, and a friend recommended that I come and give it a try. Today, I shall take the name Huang Desheng, wishing the Luoshui Gang a victorious start!"
Although his life was not lost, he had already lost half of it, and there was no way he could go to the Luoshui Gang. However, the Crow Daoist was reluctant to part with the deposit he had already received. After much deliberation, he could only discuss with Xiaoxia and let him take his place. Thus, after demonstrating a few spells, Xiaoxia, under the scrutinizing gazes of several guardians and offerings, transformed from a destitute wanderer who could barely afford a meal into a temporary guest elder of the largest gang in Qingzhou, residing in the headquarters of the Luoshui Gang and protecting the young gang leader alongside other experts.
Fortunately, at this moment, Hu Qian added, "According to the records in my family archives, this entity differs from ordinary demon souls and yin spirits in that it retains its own spirituality. If it can work in conjunction with its master, it possesses additional remarkable uses"
Someone wanted to show off, so Xia naturally unceremoniously ordered another bottle of light wine and a large array of dishes, sitting in a corner and eating heartily. However, he did not expect that after finishing this meal, his luck would also arrive
The man was taken aback for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily: "Brother Xia has a keen eye. This bracelet was originally given to me by my sister for self-defense. She said it was too dangerous for me to wander the martial world alone, so she insisted on giving it to me."
The man from Yunzhou, who was renamed Huang Desheng, smiled and cupped his hands in gratitude, unable to hide the look of pride in his eyes
With a sound of acknowledgment, Elder Zeng, the protector, opened his eyes slightly, nodded, and said to Hu Qian beside him, "I would like to ask Master Hu for her evaluation."
It was not the surrounding individuals who failed to provide adequate protection; rather, the young master himself had secretly slipped away after driving off several skilled bodyguards. Under intense questioning, the young master's personal attendant hesitantly revealed that the young master had gone out at midnight to admire the flowers under the moonlight, in accordance with a promise made to a beautiful confidante. The issue is that while the young master may possess many things, a beautiful confidante is certainly not one of them. It is true that the young master has a keen interest in beautiful women, but that interest lies in sharing a bed with them. He is quite adept at appreciating their faces, chests, and backsides, yet he has never taken the time to admire flowers in his life.
The voice of the man from Yunzhou was loud and resonant, and his laughter was hearty. The young woman from Yunzhou, noticing that everyone in the inn was looking in their direction, timidly lowered her head. Out of the corner of her eye, she cast a reproachful glance at the burly man beside her, yet there was also a hint of joy. It is a woman's nature to crave attention; even if she felt a bit anxious due to her shyness and thin skin, she was still, after all, a girl.
Elder Zeng stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, finally nodding: "Then I must trouble you, my friend Huang. I will send someone to arrange accommodation for you. As the former leader Bai mentioned, as long as you ensure the safety of our young master and assist in eliminating the skinning demon that has recently plagued our Luoshui City, I will reward you with one hundred taels of gold."
It is said that intelligent people lie by telling nine parts truth and one part lie, while there are even smarter individuals who do not need to tell any lies at all; they simply ensure that their actions do not require deception to cover up. Compared to my own reliance on luck to get by, their methods truly reflect a level of cleverness that I cannot help but admire
Previously, Xia Xia had some admiration for the man from Yunzhou with the surname Huang, as he was an intelligent person
The Crow Daoist, who received an invitation from the Luoshui Gang, was overjoyed and determined to work hard. After driving Xia away, he sat alone in the Daoist temple to meditate and adjust his energy, resolving to concentrate on drawing several high-quality talismans to exorcise demons and make a name for himself. However, this Daoist was overambitious and, while attempting to draw advanced talismans, encountered some issues. Just as he was about to complete a Flame Dragon Spell, he failed to channel a breath of true energy, causing the talisman power and true energy to go out of control and backfire, blowing himself and half of the Daoist temple into the sky. When Xia returned to the temple after finishing her meal to tidy up, she found the Crow Daoist lying half-dead and barely clothed amidst a pile of rubble, groaning.
Xia Xia stood by without saying anything, merely sniffing. The bracelet that summoned two spirit beasts' souls was something he had seen before; it was originally supposed to be worn on the wrist of that girl from Yunzhou.
The Divine Mechanism Hall, in accordance with their habit of manipulating mechanical devices, always prefers to categorize everything meticulously, whether it be monsters, spirits, medicinal materials, or even the skills of individuals in the martial world, labeling them with grades one, two, three, or four as if they were goods. Although many people look down upon this practice, the Divine Mechanism Hall indeed possesses insights and appreciation for things that others cannot match. Hu Qian took out a small piece of crystal from her waist armor and carefully examined the illusory figures of the two beasts. After a moment, she nodded and said: "It can be roughly classified as a mid-grade four demon soul, likely the spirit of a sacred beast worshipped in the indigenous mountain villages of Yunzhou, which is quite a rare find."
Xiao Xia exclaimed, "So it turns out that Brother Huang has a younger sister back in his hometown in Yunzhou?"
However, Xia understood her own limitations; even the Crow Daoist was considerably stronger than her. This idle meal was certainly not meant for her. Yet, this man from Yunzhou sat awkwardly, his gaze murky and his spirit scattered. He neither appeared to possess exceptional skills nor seemed to have practiced any magical arts. At most, he had brute strength and a rough understanding of martial arts, making him a good hand for carrying goods at the dock or for gathering numbers during gang conflicts. As for the idle meal of the guest elder from the Luoshui Gang, Xia truly could not see any qualifications he had to lament such a loss.
The robust man from Yunzhou ruffled his tousled hair, chuckled, and clasped his hands together. The two bone bracelets on his wrists clinked against each other, and the silhouettes of two half-real, half-illusory beasts materialized beside him: a giant white wolf and a monkey the size of a human.
Fortunately, the various skilled individuals recruited by the Luoshui Gang with a substantial sum of money included those adept at tracking, who immediately followed the trail of the young deputy leader. The three great protectors of the gang led a group of capable individuals in pursuit for an entire day, and finally, at noon on the second day, they found the young deputy leader, who had been completely skinned, in the grove beneath Lanlin Temple. They also saw a young girl in white sitting high on a tree branch, using her foot to prod at the skin of the young deputy leader.
In the mountains of Yunzhou, many indigenous people nurture spiritual beasts to protect their mountain villages. If a loyal spiritual beast dies in battle, its attachment to its master and the village does not dissipate. The village's shamanic elders will perform rituals to capture their essence into vessels. The manipulation of these spiritual beast essences is not significantly different from the control of the souls of demons and ghosts by ordinary sorcerers; however, they share a telepathic connection with their masters, allowing for more agile operation and possessing some miraculous functions that ordinary demon souls lack
The first time Xia saw him, she had just arrived in Luoshui City a few days prior, having been driven out of the temple where she was staying by the Crow Daoist. She was looking for an inn that catered to the porters and laborers for a meal. The man from Yunzhou was sitting at the table next to hers, his tall and robust figure was quite noticeable. His messy hair was casually tied back, and his face was covered with stubble. Even though he was not wearing animal skins, the animal teeth and bones hanging from his ears and neck made it clear that he was a native of Yunzhou.
This inn is mostly frequented by traveling merchants and porters who come to eat and rest, and the food and drink can only be considered coarse. Nevertheless, it is certainly a joy to have someone treat others, and everyone offers congratulations and similar words. A few young traveling merchants even jokingly called out phrases like 'a perfect match,' causing the young girl to bury her head deeper and her face to turn even redder
Where is it? It is my sworn sister whom I just became acquainted with a few days ago. It is indeed a coincidence that I could meet a fellow townsman here in Luoshui City, a thousand miles away from our Yunzhou. We hit it off and decided to become sworn siblings. Now my sister has already taken a ship back to Yunzhou. I heard that the leader Bai is recruiting people to deal with that skinning demon, so I thought I would stay and see if I could be of any assistance
After assessing him, there was another person recommended, surprisingly, it was the strong man from Yunzhou in the inn