Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

Chapter 63: Chapter 60: Surging Undercurrents

Gu Nanzhi first glanced calmly at the surrounding townsfolk, signaling with her eyes for them to leave the side courtyard.

She reached out, took her sister’s arm, and finally said to Chang Yi, "Uncover them."

"Oh."

Chang Yi didn’t dare to meet his mother’s gaze, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

He turned, walked to the front of the flatbed cart, and began pulling off the burlap cloths one by one.

First came the sight of bloody, severed limbs, followed by the reveal of one terrified, bruised face after another.

A foul stench swept through the entire courtyard.

The woman staggered back several steps, nearly fainting.

Fortunately, Gu Nanzhi was there to catch her.

"These people you killed... who exactly are they?" Mother Chang steadied herself, pointing with a trembling finger.

"Foxes," Chang Yi mumbled, his head bowed.

"Which ones are the Foxes?! Speak clearly!" Mother Chang’s voice suddenly sharpened.

"A-All of them," Chang Yi’s voice was barely a whisper.

Hearing this, the woman’s expression froze. Her body began to tremble more violently with rage, and for a long moment, she couldn’t squeeze out a single word.

"Well, not all of them. There are four wolves lying there, too," Gu Nanzhi added in a soft, comforting tone.

"..." Mother Chang instinctively wanted to pinch her. ’This is no time for jokes! How can she be in the mood to kid around?!’

But just as she reached out, she realized the hidden meaning in her sister’s words.

Dozens of Foxes were one thing, but adding four Fierce Wolves to the mix... that was far beyond her son’s ability to handle.

Mother Chang calmed herself and scanned the corpses on the cart again, her expression growing solemn.

There were only about twenty people in all of Black Water City with the power to pull something like this off.

And of those, the number with both enough strength and the sheer audacity for it could be cut in half again.

’Who on earth would go to such great lengths to hand Yi such a massive "achievement" on a silver platter?’

"It couldn’t... be him again, could it?"

Mother Chang’s expression was odd. It was mainly because Chang Yi’s social circle was incredibly narrow; he barely knew anyone.

’But isn’t he just a newly-minted Fierce Wolf?’

’The man just came to power. He couldn’t possibly have had time to gather Immortal Relics to round out his arsenal. He must have used some kind of trick to kill Liu Zhen.’

But what lay before them now were four Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators, plus a large group of Foxes renowned for their cunning.

’A group like that wouldn’t be easily tricked.’

"More or less," Gu Nanzhi sighed softly. She remembered Dong Cheng, the one who had come to the Government Office with the report, was coincidentally a young wolf from Sifang Street.

"Didn’t I tell you to go and make things clear with him? Did you have a bad attitude and fail to get the message across?" Mother Chang asked, looking at her sister with suspicion.

’Her son was foolish and clumsy, inexperienced, and stubborn. How could he possibly handle so much credit? These achievements would only get him killed.’

’If that Greedy Wolf was just looking for a connection in the Government Office, then considering he had been kind enough to help Yi, her sister the County Captain was a far better option for him.’

"Don’t pin this on me." Gu Nanzhi rolled her eyes. "You’ll have to ask your precious son about that."

’From their previous conversation, she didn’t get the impression Lin Shu enjoyed offering a warm welcome only to get the cold shoulder.’

’His attitude made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the Chang Family.’

"..."

Faced with the stares of his two elders, Chang Yi obediently raised his head.

He clearly explained how he had discovered that the Foxes were planning a "Hundred-Heart Birthday Banquet," why he had recklessly charged into the South Suburbs, and how he was ultimately discovered.

Just listening to the story made Mother Chang break out in a cold sweat. "So this time, you weren’t just riding his coattails? He actually went there specifically to save your life?"

Gu Nanzhi said nothing, but a peculiar glint in her eyes showed she clearly thought otherwise.

’If Lin Shu had known what Chang Yi was planning, he wouldn’t have needed to go to the South Suburbs, nor would he have sent someone to the Government Office. He could have just kept the kid pinned down in West City.’

’It was more likely they ran into each other by chance.’

’So what was Lin Shu doing at Ancient Pine Ridge in the dead of night?’

’This courtyard full of corpses already provided the answer.’

’He was there to save someone, too!’

At this thought, Gu Nanzhi felt a wave of absurdity. She had previously thought it was rather childish when Chang Yi called Greedy Wolf a good person.

But now, it seemed Yi’s description might not have been accurate enough.

"You should know how much trouble you’ve caused, right?"

Gu Nanzhi’s expression turned serious. "Black Water City is on the verge of chaos. I’ll order the others to heighten security. As for you, get to Sifang Street and guard it with your life!"

"How can you do that?"

Mother Chang had only been flustered out of worry before. Now that she was calm, she quickly pieced everything together.

’With his Alchemy ruined, the Tiger is sure to fly into a rage. He’ll likely follow the clues all the way to Sifang Street. How could she send Yi to such a dangerous place at a time like this?’

Gu Nanzhi glanced at her sister and said flatly, "You’re the ones who asked me to be the County Captain."

"You..."

Mother Chang was at a loss for words. She looked at the tanned young man, her heart aching for him.

’In truth, she understood the logic. That Fierce Wolf had gotten into such huge trouble to save her son; they couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.’

’Sending Yi over, even if he couldn’t do much, would be a clear statement of the Chang Family’s position.’

’It would also teach the boy that he can’t always hide behind others after getting into trouble.’

"As you command!"

Chang Yi snapped to attention, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Gu Nanzhi watched him go. Only then did the icy expression on her face thaw. She said casually, "Don’t worry. Your precious son has grown up a lot recently. I sent two Purple Flood Dragons after him earlier, and even they couldn’t stop him."

"That’s the truth."

Mother Chang fell silent for a moment. Heaven knew how stunned she had been listening to Yi’s account of what happened.

Although parts of his story were still naive, his overall telling was clear and coherent, on par with many veteran constables.

It was a complete transformation from the dazed, foolish boy she remembered.

’Could it be that her more than ten years of painstaking care were less effective than a member of the Black Water Gang he’d only known for a dozen days?’

"Sigh... Whatever happens, protect Yi. And thank that man on our behalf," Mother Chang said, her grip on her Buddha Beads slowly relaxing.

"Go on back. I know."

Gu Nanzhi set off. She had originally felt she’d said a bit too much during her last visit to the Old Woodshed.

But now, she realized it was far from enough.

’She was truly curious. Just how much power was that young man hiding?’

’And what gave him the confidence to ignore her advice, even when he already knew the Tiger’s temperament?’

’Could it be that he was banking on the Government Office to intervene?’

...

「North City, Xia Mansion.」

Normally, a birthday celebration of this nature would be held in broad daylight, a festive and grand affair.

But it was currently evening, still nearly six hours until the celebration was meant to begin.

Yet, the mansion was already filled with figures.

There was no grand banquet. Not even tables had been prepared. There were only armchairs, arranged in a circle around the empty courtyard.

Eight people—men and women, old and young—were seated on either side. This was the entire core of the White Tiger Hall.

Near the courtyard entrance stood the invited Fierce Wolves. There weren’t many, only a dozen or so, all of them the most renowned of their rank.

Yan Jin and Bai Feng were among them.

The seat of honor, however, was empty.

An old man in a long gray robe stood in the center of the courtyard. He had white hair but a youthful, rosy complexion, his face flushed with excitement. "I have invited you all here in advance to witness this ceremony," he declared, "for together, we shall see the creation of my Treasure Pill!"

Before him stood a heavy, pitch-black Pill Furnace, half the height of a man. Dark red bloodstains still clung to its carved surface. Its four legs were sunk firmly into the ground, and beneath it, a pale, bluish-white fire raged with scorching heat.

"The medicinal liquid is now prepared! It only awaits a few key ingredients to take form. All of you, keep your eyes wide open. You mustn’t miss this!"

Xia Mingtang let out a great laugh, his eyes gleaming.

It was less a birthday banquet and more an excuse to show off this Elixir to his hall members.

Thus, anyone Xia Mingtang thought capable of understanding the subtleties of the process had been compelled to attend.

"Tsk."

Seeing his display, the various Tigers in attendance wore mixed expressions, though none of them said a word.

Xia had sunk half his fortune into this venture, acting as if success was guaranteed, hoping to use this pill to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Although they all knew the chances were minuscule, if the Elixir was successfully created, it would still be of considerable help to one’s Cultivation.

"Tsk. I wonder if I can get one of those," Bai Feng said, licking his lips.

"..." Yan Jin shot a sideways glance at the Pill Furnace, a flicker of contempt in his eyes.

’Compared to the true Alchemy of the Immortal Sects, this thing was not only disgusting, it was also practically useless.’

’Compared to the negligible boost in Cultivation it might provide, its main effect would likely be driving the user insane.’

’Besides, could it even be successfully made?’

’The most crucial of the main ingredients was still inside the womb of a pregnant woman from the Zhao Family in Sifang Street.’

A certain figure surfaced in Yan Jin’s mind. ’It’s already this late, yet he still hasn’t made any move to contact me.’

’Could it be that Greedy Wolf’s displeasure at the banquet was just a fleeting display of temper? That after he went back and thought it over, his reason won out over his emotions?’

Just then, a lean man in a clean white shirt stepped listlessly into the courtyard and went straight to the seat of honor, where he sat down.

"Third Master!"

Even the Tigers seated on either side rose in unison and cupped their fists in salute.

Overseas Dragon Cheng Yi was one of only three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators in the Black Water Gang’s Chenlong Hall.

He was the latest to join the gang, relatively young, ranked last among the three in terms of power, and had no real following within the gang.

But he was a Vice Gang Leader nonetheless, and commanded respect.

"Get on with it."

Cheng Yi waved his hand, his voice laced with impatience. "Let’s begin."

"..."

Xia Mingtang’s expression shifted, anger flickering within him at the man’s flippant attitude toward his life’s work.

’Hmph. So what if he has a Foundation Establishment Cultivation?’

’Once this pill is formed, if I can use it to break through as well, then it will be hard to say who the real "Third Master" is.’

"Please, Third Master, be patient. Watch as I complete this Treasure Pill, which I will then offer for your appraisal."

Xia Mingtang failed to notice the flicker of disgust that passed through Cheng Yi’s eyes upon hearing his words.

"Bring me the hearts of infants born within the last twenty-four hours."

He spun around and slapped the lid off the Pill Furnace.

Soon, a Child emerged from an inner room, holding a Golden Disc. Neatly arranged upon it were eleven freshly harvested, delicate hearts, each only about an inch wide.

"Why is one missing?"

Xia Mingtang’s brow furrowed instantly, his voice sharp.

The Child was so frightened he immediately dropped to his knees. He stammered, "It was... Greedy Wolf from Sifang Street... When he was at Cunning Fox Hall..."

At these words, Xia Mingtang’s brow relaxed.

’So it wasn’t missing, just not delivered yet.’

"Never mind. Go fetch the youth’s bones. I will give the medicinal liquid its form first!"

He started to turn back, but in his peripheral vision, he saw the Child was still kneeling there, unmoving. "What is it now?"

The terror on the Child’s face intensified. He held his breath for a long moment before crying out the same name:

"S-Sifang Street’s Greedy Wolf..."

As the Child’s words faded, the expressions of everyone in the courtyard turned strange.

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