[Hetu][Heavenly Demon][Episode 5 Chapter 4]

Chapter Four: The Sinner
The moon shines brightly over the western tower, its beauty

boundless . The night sky is cloudless, and the bright moon, set against a backdrop of countless stars, is even

more enchanting. On the tranquil and elegant West Lake, the surface ripples gently in the moonlight. Tiny wisps of mist drift lightly, creating
a breathtaking scene. Lanterns flicker softly, adding to the picturesque beauty and poetic charm.
Everywhere along West Lake, scholars and young women compose poems, some playing

drinking to express their feelings. Many young women stroll in pairs, lingering over the exquisite trinkets at the vendors' stalls and admiring the talented scholars. The Jiangnan region is rich and romantic; this is evident in the festive decorations of West Lake and the unrestrained

spirit of the scholars . 　　Slender willows droop along the lake, the night sky is clear and pleasant, and walking in this romantic atmosphere brings an indescribable sense of comfort and ease. Yang Cun, dressed in the simplest scholar's robe, hums a tune as he strolls through the crowd, looking around. While his appearance may not be as stunning as Pan An's, his face is as white as snow, his lips as red as flames, and his youthful figure is upright, prompting passersby to sigh, "Another handsome young man who plays the field." 　　On the lake, large and small painted boats drift gently, their lights gleaming, their decorations exquisite. From each boat, one can see the movement of people and hear melodies that seem both sorrowful and reproachful. A pipa player's fingers lightly stroke the strings, the music flowing like mist, accompanied by the gentle singing of orioles and swallows. There is no trace of decadence or debauchery; all that can be heard is the sentimentality of Jiangnan, the subtle and gentle influence of the region, and the unique, dreamlike charm of West Lake. 　　On the shore, the largest pleasure boat waited quietly, guarded by a dozen tall, imposing guards, their expressions . Though somewhat out of place in this leisurely and extravagant scene, they were hardly a spoilsport. However, West Lake was always frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles, and the passing commoners, though whispering amongst themselves, paid little attention. 　　"Brother, is this where Lord Lin's banquet is being held?" Yang Cun stepped forward and politely bowed . He didn't think much of it; he just noticed the guards were older than him and casually addressed them. 　　"Yes, young master, do you have an invitation?" The head guard, seeing that the young man, though somewhat inexperienced, possessed refined manners and, recalling his master's distinguished guest tonight, immediately became respectful. Yang Cun 's casual bow startled him. 　　"Yes," Yang Cun replied, handing over the invitation from his robes. 　　"This humble servant greets Duke Jingguo!" The head guard took the document, glanced at it, and immediately knelt on one knee, bowing deeply to Yang Cun . It was clear that Yang Cun's earlier address of him as "elder brother" had been very effective; his current attitude was anything but perfunctory. The others, seeing this, also quickly knelt and bowed. Normally, as gatekeepers and members of the Prince 's household, they weren't bound by such formalities, but since their leader had knelt, they felt obliged to do the same. 　　"Please rise, everyone!" Yang Cun gently helped him up. 　　"Your Excellency, please follow me. The young master has been waiting for you." The head guard smiled憨厚ly and immediately rose, leading Yang Cun into the pleasure boat. 　　Although called a pleasure boat, it was tastefully decorated, lacking the ambiguous atmosphere of typical brothels. Instead, the layout was reasonable, with calligraphy and paintings on the walls and screens inlaid with jade and nanmu wood, exuding a noble yet indescribably elegant feel. The ingenious design made it feel neither like a wealthy family's private boat nor a brothel's pleasure boat, giving one a very comfortable feeling. 　　"May I ask your name, sir?" Yang Cun followed him up the stairs, observing the leader's tall and incredibly strong figure. Although his steps were restrained, they were powerful and imposing, showing extreme authority, and he didn't understand any of the pretentious and exaggerated etiquette. Although he didn't have any ulterior motives for befriending him, he was momentarily intrigued by this rough man. 　　"Your Excellency, please don't tease me." Although the man's face was fierce, there was also a hint of naivety in his embarrassment. He scratched his head sheepishly and said, "My name is Tu Hao, just a rough fellow. How could I accept such treatment from Your Excellency?" 　　"A good name, not bad!" Yang Cun chuckled, already having a better understanding of the situation. Judging from Tu Hao's appearance, he didn't seem like a seasoned veteran from the capital . If he wasn't mistaken, he was probably a skilled fighter that Zhao Qinyun had brought from the Northeast Army. Judging from this, the Prince of Ding's heir is quite capable, managing to bring all the generals and officers to Jiangnan in such a short time. This would be impossible if done through normal procedures within the Ministry of War. If it's not because the Prince of Ding has great power, then he must have a special position within the Ministry of War to handle matters on a case-by-case basis. 　　"The Duke of Jingguo has arrived!" Sure enough, Tu Hao led Yang Cun upstairs, his face showing a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness as he called out. He clearly had no experience in serving others; those seasoned veterans in the capital would probably be more adept at it than petty thieves. 　　"Something's strange..." Yang Cun's eyes narrowed. The Prince of Ding's residence was certainly not lacking in skilled fighters and guards, yet Zhao Qinli insisted on bringing soldiers. If it wasn't that he distrusted the people in the residence, then Tu Hao was definitely his confidant. However, this guy didn't seem like a cunning person. Judging from this, things didn't seem peaceful within the Prince of Ding's residence. 　　The second floor was a spacious attic overlooking the West Lake at night. Screens lined the walls, rotating gently , adding a touch of elegance to the quiet atmosphere. Although large, the space was well-arranged and didn't feel empty. Paintings and calligraphy adorned the walls, and a quiet corner held a zither, creating a unique ambiance. 　　Around the central table, two middle-aged men accompanied a young man, around twenty-four or twenty-five years old, with a fair complexion and striking good looks. He wore fine brocade robes, exuding an indescribable nobility. Upon seeing Yang Cun arrive, he immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said respectfully with a smile, "Junior Zhao Qinyun greets Your Excellency." 　　"Your humble servant greets Your Excellency," the two middle-aged men in plain clothes exchanged a glance and quickly returned the bow. One had a resolute expression, possessing an air of quiet authority; the other was none other than Lin Anguo, the Governor of Hangzhou. 　　"My lords, how can Yang Cun accept such a grand gesture?" Yang Cun hadn't expected them to be so polite. He quickly stepped forward to help Zhao Qinli up, feigning apprehension, and said, "Your Highness, there's no need for such formality. I'm just a commoner; there's no need for so much courtesy." 　　"My lord, Qinyun is a junior; respecting elders is only right," Zhao Qinyun said with a gentle smile, completely belying his military background. The fine clothes he wore made him look even more like a handsome young gentleman; who would have guessed that...

Could this refined man be the rumored, battle-hardened heir of the Prince of Ding?
"My lord, please take your seat!" Lin Anguo, seeing the two becoming polite, quickly ushered Yang Cun to his seat.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yang Cun was led to the head seat. To his left was the heir apparent, Zhao Qinyun, but to his right was not Lin Anguo,

the governor of Hangzhou, but the stern-faced middle-aged man. Lin Anguo quickly waved his hand and introduced, "My lord, this

is Bai Yongwang, the prefect of Hangzhou. He is here to show us hospitality today."
"Thank you, Prefect Bai." Yang Cun's mind was a little confused. The governor of Hangzhou? The prefect of Hangzhou? A governor is usually

the head of a province, right? How could such a strange situation arise?
"My lord, it's like this." Seeing Yang Cun's doubts, Zhao Qinyun immediately explained, "

Lin Anguo was originally the prefect of Hangzhou, with outstanding political achievements. He should have been promoted to governor of Zhejiang, but unfortunately

, the Ministry of Personnel's assessment procedures are too complicated. So the governorship is a foregone conclusion. However, Jiangnan has always been a land of outstanding people, and it's still uncertain whether Lord

Lin will take up the post in
his current location." "Oh, then I wish Lord Lin a bright future." Yang Cun understood. This guy probably

pulled some strings and is guaranteed a promotion. But Zhejiang is such a rich place, and so many eyes are watching it.

He has already resigned as prefect and is just waiting for the Ministry of Personnel's transfer order, but he's not sure if he can become governor of Zhejiang.

That's why he has such a ridiculous title.
"You flatter me, my lord." Lin Anguo chuckled, but he seemed a little uncomfortable. In his current

situation, he had a title but no official position. In the end, he didn't really have any real power.
"Please, everyone, have a drink." Zhao Qinyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw how easy Yang Cun was to talk to. She quickly

picked up her wine glass , gesturing for everyone to have a drink together.
"Please, everyone, help yourselves." As a guest, Yang Cun couldn't refuse and naturally drank it all in one gulp.
The dishes were served one after another. There were no servants to wait on them. Lin Anguo and Bai Yongwang diligently poured wine for the two of them.

They didn't eat much of the food, but they drank quite a bit of wine. They chatted and laughed, talking about interesting things in the capital and

the customs and traditions of various places. It seemed that both host and guests were having a good time. Yang Cun was most used to

playing the role of a nice guy. He didn't flatter them or hinder them when he spoke. Although he didn't understand the romance

and poetry of the capital, he was confident that his ability to make light of things was absolutely superb, naturally creating a harmonious atmosphere.
After several rounds of drinks, although everyone occasionally felt smug, they didn't drink much. While everyone wore amiable smiles,

there were occasional exchanges of glances. Yang Cun ignored all this, appearing to be thoroughly enjoying himself

as he chatted with Zhao Qinyun. Zhao Qinyun also looked pleased, though she occasionally drifted off into thought.
"My lord, what do you think of Yipinlou?" Zhao Qinli, seeing that the night was deep and the atmosphere romantic,

suddenly .
"Yipinlou? Even the young master knows where I live!" Yang Cun feigned surprise.
"Haha, to be honest, my lord," Zhao Qinyun pointed to the brightly lit West Lake, "Yipinlou's properties

are among the best in Hangzhou. It's not just the inn where you stay, my lord; it also owns a large estate and these

pleasure boats on West Lake. Guests are everywhere, it's practically making a fortune every day, truly the number one in Hangzhou."
"Oh, the Jiangnan region is indeed rich and prosperous," Yang Cun smiled, immediately feigning ignorance.
"Is Your Excellency interested?" Zhao Qinyun, with an air of righteous indignation, patted his chest and said, "The Yang family of Jiangnan

has always been a prestigious family in our dynasty. The Duke of Jingguo's reputation is widespread, and my father still speaks highly

of the former Duke of Mingcheng. Your Excellency's return to Hangzhou is a blessing for the people of Jiangzhe. This Yipinlou is the property of the Prince of Ding's mansion.

If it catches Your Excellency's eye, it would be a gift to celebrate Your Excellency's return home."
"A gentleman does not take what others cherish." Yang Cun laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Forget it. I don't know anything

about business. I'm afraid this renowned Yipinlou will be ruined in my hands. I appreciate your kind offer, Your Highness

."
"In that case, Qinyun has been presumptuous!" Zhao Qinyun smiled, picked up his wine and drank it all in one gulp, his face

still maintaining that harmless expression, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"Not at all, it's Yang Cun who's unworthy of such hospitality." Yang Cun also raised his cup, drinking it down with him in one gulp to

show his sincerity.
Another round of polite exchanges ensued, the words eloquent but meaningless, mostly

mutual flattery. Especially with Lin Anguo beside him, spouting things like "Your Highness is young and promising, destined to become Prime Minister," and

" The Heir Apparent is a powerful figure, a reincarnation of Zhao Zilong on the battlefield!" It was practically nauseating! This wine

was already unpleasant to drink; listening to a few more of his words would surely make him vomit his guts out.
Damn it, this shameless, blatant lying is something everyone should learn from! Compared to Lin Anguo

, my standards are far too low. Yang Cun outwardly appeared cheerful and talkative, but inwardly he despised him a million times over.

Whether this was a facade or not, Lin Anguo's flattery was utterly shameless; his integrity hadn't just

crumbled, it had been completely annihilated.
"How could someone like that become a provincial governor? He's so frivolous , he

has no chance!" Yang Cun suppressed his disgust, outwardly offering humility and

apologetic .
Night deepened, and the banquet, aside from discussions of romance, had yielded few other topics. By

late , Zhao Qinyun, her face flushed from drinking, waved her hand and said, "My lord, your conversation has

been incredibly beneficial. It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer."
"Very well, then I'll take my leave." Yang Cun was also a little tired, immediately returning the gesture with a bow. This fellow seemed quite

considerate.
The pleasure boat slowly docked. After disembarking, there was another round of warm greetings. Zhao Qinli insisted on

sending someone to escort him, but Yang Cun declined, saying his family was waiting nearby, and

left alone. Even past midnight, West Lake remained lively, but the liveliness now belonged to the courtesans.
Watching Yang Cunyuan's departing figure, Bai Yongwang, who had remained silent throughout the banquet, suddenly sneered: "Your Highness,

it seems this Duke is no young arrogance. Although he acted with great fanfare just now, he was incredibly

shrewd , leaving no room for error. We couldn't get a single word out of him."
"Heh, Father is right," Zhao Qinli said with a hint of admiration. "The Duke of Jing,

in just a few meetings, has already shown remarkable maturity beyond his years. He is quite shrewd and knows how to conduct himself appropriately. He appears gentle and refined, but he is actually quite calculating."

No wonder my father told me to learn a lot from him. At this age, I wasn't even half as composed as he was when I was a boy. "
Speaking of this," Zhao Qinyun sighed, "Father's judgment is indeed astute. Yang Cun has neither power nor

influence, so why would I need to personally befriend him? But even after only a few meetings, Father couldn't fathom his intentions. This man is indeed

no ordinary playboy."
"Your Highness, why doesn't he want Yipinlou?" Lin Anguo, standing to the side, seemed somewhat agitated:

"Could this guy be impervious to persuasion? Although the Duke of Jingguo doesn't hold a real position in Jiangnan, if he were to

align himself , with his family's prestigious reputation, who would dare disrespect him? It would be much more

inconvenient for us to do things in the future."
"Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious," Zhao Qinli paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I was a bit

too hasty The Duke of Jingguo seems to be a cautious person. A welcoming banquet is perfectly justified, but to inexplicably send such a large gift,

I believe not only him, but even those old foxes in the capital would suspect we have ulterior motives."
"What should we do then?" Lin Anguo exclaimed, his whole body tense with anxiety.
"Let's wait and see, and then find out more about his situation," Bai Yongwang said, clearly much more composed than him. After a long pause ,

he said thoughtfully, "His triumphant return is a blessing or a curse, but we should inform our subordinates

to be extra careful and not make any mistakes at this crucial juncture."
"Brother Bai is absolutely right," Zhao Qinyun nodded approvingly, then glanced at the anxious Lin Anguo

with a look of disdain.
"Young Master, I'll take my leave now," Bai Yongwang said, his brows furrowed, before taking his leave.
The official sedan chair slowly departed along the path. Zhao Qinyun stood by the lake, hands clasped behind his back, gazing thoughtfully at the reflection of the

bright . At this moment, Lin Anguo approached, flatteringly saying, "Your Highness, I've heard

that some fine courtesans have arrived at Zuixiang Pavilion. How about I arrange for them to serve you tonight?"
"Never mind." Zhao Qinyun gave him a deep look, summoned a guard to bring a tall horse, mounted it, and

solemnly instructed, "Keep an eye on your men during this time. Don't let them cause any more trouble."
"Yes!" Lin Anguo nodded and bowed, watching Zhao Qinyun and dozens of guards depart. His previously subservient

demeanor suddenly changed; his bowed back straightened abruptly. After a thoughtful, cold laugh, he turned

and returned to the magnificent pleasure boat.
The night on West Lake remained tranquil and serene.
In the grove beside the cobblestone path, Yang Cun watched everything from afar. Although he couldn't hear a sound,

he clearly saw their expressions. Yang Cun pondered silently. This Zhao Qinyun seemed to be no ordinary

person; she had quite a few skilled men with her. He had initially intended to get closer to eavesdrop, but after walking for a while, he noticed

some clues.
On the surface, her guards were all on the shore and on the pleasure boat, but upon closer inspection,

there was something fishy about the area within a dozen meters. Several traveling peddlers and burly men pretending to drink and make merry—although their disguises were very convincing,

the occasional hint of wariness in their eyes made Yang Cun's heart stir. Under their watchful eyes, Yang Cun deliberately

swaggered away until they were out of sight before finding a place to hide. Sure enough, as Zhao Qinli and her

group disappeared, these people also left one after another. Although their disguises were very natural, they all left in the same direction, which made Yang Cun

breathe a sigh of relief, but also made him increasingly uneasy.
This young master is so cautious, even having sentries while drinking

. No one would believe you're not hiding something. The guards on the ship are real, but the group on shore is definitely not the soldiers they're

portraying . This guy is so careful even with a little wine, and he has so many spies. It seems this Jiangnan region isn't

as simple as he imagined.
The night was incredibly quiet. He slowly returned to the manor along the path. The innkeeper at the gate greeted him warmly, but Yang Cun

ignored him, went straight to his room, bathed, and went to bed. He read the strange book the old Taoist had given him for a while, his mind

still filled with vague, elusive insights. Only when the candle burned out did he yawn,

close his eyes, and fall into a deep sleep, holding An Qiao.
The next morning, Wang Dong went to the manor early to supervise the craftsmen. It wasn't that he was

harsh; on the contrary, their meals included not only white rice but also meat—even wealthy families wouldn't treat their workers

so well. He had lived here for a long time and developed an attachment to the place, as well as a deep respect for the old master.

Therefore , he couldn't tolerate the slightest carelessness and naturally had to do his best to restore the Duke's mansion to its former

solemn grandeur. He provided the workers with good food and lodging, but if they dared to be careless, he would not let them off easily.
Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama also went out early in the morning, which was somewhat surprising. They had been staying indoors during this period

, but upon hearing the news of Xiao Jiu's execution, they no longer needed to hide. Gao

Lianxin's grandfather had an old friend in Hangzhou who was also a doctor, so she had to pay him a visit to show respect as

a junior and to pay respects to her grandfather in the afterlife.
The An sisters were well-behaved, but they had been very busy these past few days, not only being assigned to run errands by Wang Dong

but also learning the etiquette of maids. Yang Cun was initially dissatisfied, but seeing An Qiao's unusually serious and

somewhat stubborn appearance, he didn't dare say anything to her. Although Anning continued to play, she

had become much more obedient under her sister's guidance and had been quite well-behaved these past few days.
Being alone was no fun at all. Yang Cun slept in until midday. After washing up, he

suddenly felt a bit empty. His mind had been tense the whole time, and the sudden relaxation felt strange.

With the sun high in the sky, continuing to sleep wasn't an option, so after a moment's hesitation, he got dressed and

decided to stroll through the streets and alleys of Hangzhou.
He sampled the West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce at Lou Wai Lou restaurant, admired the unique grandeur of Leifeng Pagoda, hummed a tune by West Lake, and took a quiet

afternoon nap. Such a relaxing day was truly rare. It wasn't until dusk that Yang Cun

woke from his sweet dream. After stretching, he looked at the furtive figures behind him and sighed, "If it weren't for these

things following me, life would be perfect."
From the moment he left the inn, Yang Cun had felt someone following him. Hangzhou

is packed with people , making it difficult to pinpoint the follower even with a strong sense of direction. Moreover, these people appear in

waves; often, just when Yang Cunyi notices a suspicious dumpling vendor on a street corner, a candied hawthorn vendor will follow.

Outside the city, several barefoot fishermen approached. This group was truly going all out; they'd changed over a dozen men that

afternoon , representing almost every trade and profession. They were clearly exhausted.
The small river beside the alley was crystal clear and beautiful. Finding a small bamboo pavilion by this gently flowing river

to enjoy some local tofu pudding seemed like a good choice. Yang Cun ate with a satisfied expression,

glancing at the seemingly ethereal fortune teller behind him, and couldn't help but smile wryly. "What a persistent ghost

! To follow me, he's impersonated every trade imaginable. Is this dedication really necessary?
" Just as he was getting annoyed, Yang Cun suddenly smelled something familiar yet strangely

peculiar. In this street full of food stalls, the smell was barely noticeable.
Fires burned everywhere, and all

sorts of snacks were displayed, filling the air with their aromas. Such a subtle scent was impossible for an ordinary person to detect. Even someone with a keen sense of smell wouldn't be able to detect this unique scent hidden

among the chaotic aromas in the air unless they had smelled it before. Yang Cun, of course, didn't possess that extraordinary ability; it was simply that in this sudden flash of inspiration , the scent seemed to have been present in his memory all along. 　　"Ah, sir, what's wrong with you!" A scream from the person next to him instantly interrupted Yang Cun's thoughts. 　　Turning around, he saw that the fortune teller, who had been acting like a wise hermit, was now inexplicably turning ashen , convulsing as he collapsed to the ground! His pupils were filled with the despair of extreme pain, his lips had turned completely black, and blood began to trickle from the corners of his mouth along with his saliva. His entire body was stiffening; anyone with eyes could see that he had been poisoned by a deadly poison that kills instantly upon contact with blood. 　　"Ah, someone's dead!" The stall owner, upon seeing this horrific scene, fainted from fright. The diners swarmed around, some shouting to call the authorities, others rushing to find a doctor. The fortune teller 's convulsing state was truly terrifying; a crowd gathered, but no one dared to touch him. 　　"What is that?" Before Yang Cun could even approach, he suddenly saw a thin, long object slip out of the fortune teller's sleeve while the crowd wasn't looking, disappearing into the riverbed with incredible speed, barely making a splash. 　　Just as Yang Cun was puzzled, that familiar yet peculiar smell faintly entered his nostrils again. He turned around alertly and looked towards the river, where a small bamboo raft was slowly approaching. Besides a small stove, the raft carried only a man wearing a straw raincoat, his face obscured by a bamboo hat. He looked like an ordinary fisherman, but his sudden appearance at this moment seemed too coincidental. 　　Moreover, Hangzhou is a prosperous place, and most of the boats on the small rivers are wooden boats for tourists . Only the poor outside the city would use such practical bamboo rafts. Yang Cun suddenly had a thought, staring intently at the figure curled up in . The man seemed to have anticipated Yang Cun's attention; a slightly menacing hand slowly emerged from under his raincoat, holding a strangely shaped small bamboo box. 　　He slowly opened the box, its opening facing down towards the river. Suddenly, a chilling scene unfolded! Where only fish were visible on the surface, more than a dozen small, jet-black snakes slowly rose to the surface, expertly coiling around the bamboo raft and wriggling into the bamboo box. The strange man waited until all the snakes were inside before leisurely closing the box, seemingly giving Yang Cun a meaningful look, and letting the small bamboo raft continue drifting south. 　　Who was this guy, and why did he kill the person who was following him? Yang Cun was immediately filled with confusion. Seeing his unusually slow pace, which didn't seem like he was trying to escape, Yang Cun immediately started walking, following leisurely along the riverbank. Along the way, four or five people suddenly collapsed and died, all of them, without exception, those who had been following him, their deaths mirroring those of the fortune teller—poisoned. Yang Cun had no time to care about these people now, continuing to follow the strange man at his own unhurried pace. 　　As dusk approached, the sunset painted the sky a beautiful golden hue. The river flowed into a peaceful little village outside the city. On the edge of the village, several fishermen were chatting and laughing as they hauled in their nets, calculating their day's catch. Once they delivered the fresh fish to the tavern in the city, they could cut some meat and buy some wine, happily enjoying their day 's harvest. 　　The small bamboo raft passed by the village without stopping, continuing downstream It slowly reached a secluded grove at the foot of Jade Emperor Mountain. The strange man on the raft picked up a bamboo box and a strange bag, then disembarked and slowly walked into the grove, his steps trodden on the fallen leaves and branches , making him appear like an ordinary person returning home. 　　"Alright, who are you?" Yang Cun followed closely behind, unable to resist shouting . This guy's intentions were obvious enough; he wanted to lure him here. Curiosity always kills the cat, and every time, it was curiosity that led to trouble. So Yang Cun decided to be direct and shout, wanting to see who this guy really was. "Come with me." The strange man paused, answered in a low voice, and continued walking into the grove 　　without even turning to look at Yang Cun . 　　"Why should I?" Yang Cun's expression turned cold, and he immediately stopped. 　　"The dignified Duke Jingguo, possessing the Vajra Seal, would he be afraid of me?" The strange man smiled eerily, seemingly certain that Yang Cun wouldn't refuse, and continued walking deeper into the woods. 　　"No way I'm not afraid of you! Even the King of Hell would be afraid of someone who can refine medicinal corpses!" Yang Cun sneered, but still followed. 　　That hoarse, deep voice, coupled with that strange smell from before, made it clear that this man was undoubtedly the strange man who had threatened him and Yang Shu in the Tianjin case. The moment Yang Cun thought of it, the scene of the medicinal corpse devouring him flashed through his mind, his face turning pale, and he almost vomited up everything he had eaten that evening. 　　"Don't worry, I mean no harm," the strange man said, continuing to walk inside. * 　　If you have malicious intent, and I still offer myself up like this, then my brain must have been bitten by a donkey or gnawed by a dog .* Yang Cun smiled bitterly. He had ultimately been too curious, inexplicably following this guy to this desolate wilderness. If he were to be ambushed by him, he would truly die an unjust death. 　　The strange man moved forward with footsteps so light they seemed to float by like a ghost. Yang Cun, filled with suspicion, followed closely behind him.

It was already moonlit, and although the moonlight shone through the trees, it was still pitch black. After walking

for a while, they finally passed through the small grove and arrived at a flat slope at the foot of Jade Emperor Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, there was a newly built wooden house, surrounded by a simple fence of withered branches. Although it looked

extremely simple , it had a homely feel to it. The strange man slowly pushed open the wooden door, sat down

on a stool under an old tree, and placed the bamboo box he was carrying on the ground. Several black snakes inside the box wriggled like water and slowly disappeared among

the grass and stones.
"Who are you?" Yang Cun stood at the door, not daring to enter easily.
"Longchi..." The strange man paused for a moment, then said in a low voice.
"Not a bad name, but what I want to ask is what you do?" Yang Cun was puzzled. What's this

guy up to? Why is he making such a strange sound about his name? A name is just a code.

Who knows if what you're saying is true or false? I'm not your father, how could I know the truth of this name?
In the world of martial arts, many people have a plethora of nicknames, much like the hostesses in nightclubs—Lili,

Baobao , Feifei, and so on, countless in number. Does this mean that everyone in the martial arts world, like hostesses, needs

a unique stage name?
"You don't recognize me?" The strange man seemed even more surprised than Yang Cun.
"Why should I know you? This is ridiculous!" Yang Cun was genuinely baffled. He

didn't even know the emperor's name; how could he possibly know a nobody like this? Besides, this guy doesn't seem like any famous

figure; his house is so shabby. Are you some kind of reclusive master?
"The Duke of Jingguo is indeed extraordinary." Long Chi smiled wryly. Yang Cun's reaction seemed to have caught him

off guard , leaving him momentarily speechless.
"Come on, we met in Tianjin." Yang Cun lowered his voice and asked, word by word,

"I don't know why you killed those who were following me, but you went to all this trouble to invite me here, surely

not to have a heart-to-heart talk? I don't have that much time for these pleasantries."
"Alright, Your Excellency is straightforward." Long Chi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I only have one purpose: I

would like to ask Your Excellency to make an exception for me. I want to see the world of the Vajra Seal."
"How do you know?" Yang Cun's eyes immediately turned cold!
"Heaven has no restrictions, earth bestows true spirits, the five elements take form, each with its own merits." Long Chi pondered for a moment, then sneered, "

Zhang Baocheng has seen through the secrets of heaven, and my Miao people also have our own secret methods to glimpse the heavens and earth. The spirits of the five elements each have their own

unique world, containing the mysteries of heaven and earth, so what's so strange about that?"
"Why should I agree to your request?" Yang Cun pondered for a moment, then asked instead of answering.
"I'll tell you a lot you want to know." Seeing Yang Cun's tone soften, Long Chi

said excitedly, "Don't worry, I won't covet the Vajra Seal. Although it's the spirit of killing, it's not what I want."
"Why should I believe you?" Yang Cun remained unmoved.
"I just want to see Lin Guan. I believe he's still alive." Long Chi hesitated for a moment, then said resolutely

.
"You... how much do you know?" Yang Cun's heart trembled, and he looked at him with some fear. Lin Guan

was a secret even Yang Shu didn't know in the world of the Vajra Seal. How could this guy know?

At this moment , Long Chi slowly stood up, took off his raincoat, revealing a dark body covered in

embroidered strange insects and beasts, adorned with silver ornaments. It was clearly not clothing from the Central Plains. He also slowly

removed the bamboo hat that had been covering his face and put it aside.
His dark face made him look to be in his late twenties or early thirties, but half of his face

was covered with all sorts of strange patterns. His eyes were deep and sharp, like those of a venomous snake, making one afraid

to look directly at him. He had a straight nose, tightly closed lips, and wore an oddly long braid. His appearance was strange, yet

strangely intelligent. His eyes, in particular, were so sharp they sent chills down one's spine, yet for some

reason , one felt that the owner of those eyes was definitely not an evil person.
"Let me introduce myself." When Long Chi stood up, his physique wasn't particularly robust, but he was remarkably upright.

Showing his true face to Yang Cun for the first time, his voice was still hoarse and low: "Long Chi, the former Gu King of the Miao tribe, now

the court's number one wanted criminal, his head worth ten thousand taels of silver."
"Wanted criminal?" Yang Cun was somewhat surprised, but what he was most curious about was how Long Chi knew about Lin Guan.
"That's right, Your Excellency will find out soon enough." Long Chi smiled strangely, stood with his hands behind his back in front of Yang Cun, and said

softly , "Your Excellency, knowing you were coming to Hangzhou, I originally wanted to find an opportunity to pay you a visit, but

it seems you have too many flies around you. I have a bad temper, so I'll just help you solve this problem, hoping to

have a chance to ask for your help in the future."
"Is that so? Then you might as well be more straightforward." Yang Cun sneered. Although Long Chi had a cold and coercive feel to him,

thinking about how his followers had been killed, and how he had inexplicably followed him here and disappeared for so long,

not knowing how much trouble he would face in the future, he felt a little annoyed.
"My lord, let's get straight to the point!" Long Chi paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Yang Cun, a strange

smile on his face . "You've personally verified the legends of the Five Elements. Each of the Five Elements spirits has its own strengths; some are for killing, others for nourishing.

And now you should know that people searching for the Five Elements spirits are everywhere. Not to mention the distant past, the Prince of Zhen already has

one of , the Earth Slave. As for the Prince of Ding, the Prince of Rong, and even the royal family, I believe you know about the case of the Imperial Preceptor

. How chaotic Tianjin was that night, yet the court remained silent. I believe you've already guessed the inside story."
"I do hope you'll get to the point," Yang Cun shook his head, saying nothing more.
Long Chi smiled smugly: "I know just as much about your official affairs as you do, perhaps even

more. I know your Yang family is in some trouble right now. I can tell you, but the price is that I

meet . I have some questions for him."
"I'm sorry, I can't do that." Yang Cun's heart stirred, but thinking of the current situation of the Vajra Seal, he immediately

shook his head decisively.
"I understand. Even if Lin Guan is still alive, he can't control the most ferocious Vajra Seal among the Five Elements."

Long Chi seemed unsurprised, simply nodding and saying, "I invited you here and showed you my true face,

so there's no rush. I just want to confirm one thing: is Lin Guan really still alive?"
"That's right, he is indeed alive." Yang Cun's voice trembled slightly. Was Lin Guan really

still alive? The rampage of the Vajra Seal had destroyed his physical body; only his

soul Was he dead or alive?
"Alright, that's enough." Long Chi's eyes lit up, and he immediately declared confidently, "Your Excellency

may not believe me, but that's alright. I, Long Chi, keep my word. I will remain in Hangzhou during this time. I can wait for Lin

Guan, and I can wait for you."
"What is it you're after?" Yang Cun's heart tightened with suspicion.
"The Spirit of the Five Elements." Long Chi spoke frankly, his face grave. "I know that Zhang Baocheng has

searched . One is the Vajra Seal, a weapon of destruction, whose ferocity is so great that even Zhang Baocheng cannot control it. But

what the other one is remains unknown."
"You mean it was lost in Tianjin?" Yang Cun's mind raced; he had vaguely found a clue.

"That's right, it was Prince Ding's doing, and Xiao Jiu became the scapegoat." Long Chi sneered, his face contorted with malice. "These

officials are a hundred times more vicious than I am. Back then, I wasn't the only one in Tianjin who coveted the Five Elements Spirit.

The only thing I know for sure is that one of the Five Elements was obtained during that

chaos only Xiao Ying and Lin Guan, disciples of the Imperial Preceptor, know."
"Then you can ask Xiao Ying," Yang Cun said, seemingly unmoved, his mind already racing

.
"The Imperial Preceptor's direct disciple received Zhang Baocheng's true teachings, knows countless esoteric arts, and is unparalleled in the world at the Sixth Dan realm. Even

the Vajra Seal's berserk state couldn't trap him." Long Chi narrowed his eyes and shook his head, saying, "Xiao Ying's cultivation is

comparable to only two or three in the world. Even Prince Yang Shu, if he didn't possess the power of the Five Elements, probably wouldn't

be his match. Long Chi isn't arrogant, and I know I'm no match for Xiao Ying either, so how could I possibly

get anything out of him?"
"He self-destructed at the Sixth Dan realm and is currently seriously injured; isn't that the perfect opportunity?" Yang Cun snorted sarcastically .

He even knows about the Vajra Seal world; this person before him is clearly not simple.
"He lives deep within the Imperial Palace, surrounded by countless experts. Is the Duke mocking me?" Long Chi smiled bitterly.

After all, the Imperial Palace is filled with experts and extraordinary individuals; what ordinary martial artist would dare to trespass into that

place symbolizing supreme power?
"Besides..." Long Chi paused, his expression grave, and said, "Xiao Ying is already dead!"
"What?" Yang Cun was immediately shocked, his mouth agape in astonishment.

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