Fifteen Mouse Deaths
It took almost an hour to talk about the past. Wei Qi asked Lu Yinche what he thought and what he would do next. The latter thought for a moment and gave him a wry smile: "I really don't know what I need to do... By the way, I came to Yaocheng this time for Mingye."
Wei Qi was puzzled: "You mean your sword?"
"Exactly," he said, "My sword is gone. Luckily, I'm not a swordsman, but it's still heartbreaking."
When Lu Yinche entered Yaocheng, he did sense Mingye's presence, but it was very brief and was soon obscured by the complex aura of the place. He could not release his spiritual sense to search for him wantonly, otherwise he would probably die before he found him.
Wei Qi said he didn't want to dig a hole to bury him because it was too much effort.
Lu Yinche sighed, "Love will disappear," and returned to the topic: "It's not just Mingye's induction, I received guidance from the heavens."
Wei Qi was shocked: "You are truly blessed by heaven."
This is not an ordinary opportunity. It is truly an extremely rare phenomenon. Even the powerful ones who have reached the level of god may not have had such an experience.
But this was not Lu Yinche's first time. His friends were familiar with his experience of becoming a disciple of Xiaoyao Sanren.
Guided by the will of heaven, he headed eastward to learn from a master.
"Probably." Lu Yinche answered ambiguously, "I heard 'Yingzai Yaocheng'."
Wei Qi wasn't an expert in this area, so he could only guess, "Could it be that some secret treasure is calling you here? Auction! This Queen Mother's Banquet auction is a big deal, even Feng Ling has something he's interested in."
"Hmm?" Lu Yinche was curious. "What did he ask you to take pictures of?"
"Why would he need to—" Wei Qi said halfway with a smile, then continued casually, "He doesn't need to come out in person. Xiao Xie is here, he loves to join in the fun, so he can go take the photo. It's a Xumizi."
Lu Yinche hadn't even seen the auction's treasure brochure yet. He only thought the item must be of excellent quality, not caring about the Sword Saint's personal preferences. He casually said, "I like this. Let me take a look at it first when the time comes."
Wei Qi hesitated to speak, as he felt it was hard to say where Xu Mizi had gone.
Lu Yinche continued, "But you're not really just coming for a banquet with all this fanfare, are you? Has the Cheng Xiao Sect run out of money and is it really that bad that they need to seek sponsorship from the city families of Xizhou?"
"How could that be!" Wei Qi shook his head. "One side and two sides are fine, but guess what happened here?"
Lu Yinche really started to think about it.
Unlike worldly rulers, sects in the cultivation realm had no obligation to protect the lands of the four directions. While some adhered to the worldly way and took into account the greater good of the world, it was ultimately not mandatory. Furthermore, the Chengxiao Sect was far away in the northern border, so Yaocheng could only be considered the private territory of the Qingtian Sect in Xizhou.
He remembered that the leader of Cheng Xiao Sect was not a person who liked to play power games. His greatest hobby was to travel around and pick up disciples, just like his own master.
What could be so important that could make them come all the way here and take it so seriously?
It can't be that the new Lord of Yao City is so beautiful that he has bewitched these northern sword cultivators.
According to the news in the tabloids, the girl traveled around in her early years and even practiced in the Hehuan Sect for a period of time. She was forced to come back and inherit the family business.
Seeing that he couldn't guess, Wei Qi laughed and said, "I can't explain it clearly. How can you let a medical practitioner do this? The job is given to Xiao Xie. Why don't you ask him?"
Lu Yinche shook his head: "There are too many Xiao Xies in Cheng Xiao Sect."
Wei Qi knew what he meant and was about to speak when the door of the wing room was pushed open and two young Xies walked in: Xie Qiaosheng and Xie Juncun, with two boys peeking behind them.
Lu Yinche felt a little hurt. Seeing how well behaved the other kid was, Xie Juncun had been standing outside waiting for him, not leaving his side for a moment.
It looks as straight as a pine tree, calm and natural, and quite elegant.
On the other hand, Lu Denghe, who knows where he went with Yang Deyou, was covered in mud. Just to mention the naughty kids who were with him, Yang Deyou's Jindan cultivation was enough for Lu Denghe to practice for another thirty to fifty years.
Xie Qiaosheng didn't care about that and sat down at the table without any hesitation: "Have you two made your private conversation clear? It's past dinner time at the restaurant."
It turned out that he was taking a break in the kitchen and came up because he had nothing to do.
Wei Qi smiled and said, "Xiao Xie, you came at the right time. We were just saying that we have a big team and brought a lot of people with us. What are we doing here? Can you tell me?"
How could someone like Xie Qiaosheng be so obedient and cooperative? He immediately crossed his arms and snorted coldly, "Wouldn't he know if he just used his spiritual sense to take a look?"
Hearing this, Lu Yinche laughed instead: "I'm damaged internally, my consciousness is damaged, isn't that obvious? Forcing my consciousness outwards is so painful that I can immediately lie down and 'rest'. After all, it's your uncle who did it. The Chengxiao clan is a great family, shouldn't you compensate me for my medical treatment and nutrition expenses?"
There were four big words clearly written on his face - I want to blackmail you.
Xie Qiaosheng looked him up and down suspiciously: "You look like you're living a good life."
The other Xiao Xie was also looking over here with a focused expression, which caught Lu Yinche's attention. However, he was busy arguing with Xie Qiaosheng and didn't pay much attention.
"How can I prove this? Should I die right now?" Lu Yinche's smile widened, a hint of ill intent lingering in his voice. "Or... does Fellow Daoist Xie want to have a 'spiritual connection' with me? That would allow you to see for yourself."
Xie Qiaosheng's expression changed drastically, and he almost involuntarily took a half step back, instantly adopting a defensive posture: "Forget it! I'm not interested in men!"
"What a coincidence, me too." Lu Yinche turned to Wei Qi, "Doctor, can you give me a certificate?"
Xie Qiaosheng then remembered that there was a nominal medical elder next to him, and his face looked like "Lu Yinche, let me see how you are going to collaborate with this person to write this story together."
Wei Qi shook his head: "He is really going to die."
These words were blunt and heavy-hearted, choking back Xie Qiaosheng's words that were ready to sabotage him. He looked at Lu Yinche in disbelief, "You?"
The other Xiao Xie pursed his lips.
Lu Denghe also looked worried.
Only Yang Deyou looked at Lu Yinche and wondered why this senior was laughing so heartlessly.
Lu Denghe yawned, seeming a little sleepy, but still smiling: "Who can not die? He is dying, not already dead, so why show such a mourning expression? Why not tell me what you are investigating? Do you have any free and exciting stories to listen to?"
Xie Qiaosheng couldn't tell how much truth this man was telling him. He had been traumatized by his past actions. "Since you're dying, why are you still getting involved in this? But..." He changed the subject, "It's okay to tell you, but what do you want in exchange?"
Lu Yinche wondered how this sword cultivator could have acquired such a mercenary spirit. He reached out to Wei Qi for money, saying confidently, "Mother Wei, give me some money."
Wei Qi thought he was calling a brothel madam: "If you call me that again, I'll put you on top."
He put his hand into his chest, not forgetting to take something out. He paused, then looked up at Xie Juncun and said, "The money is not with me. The funds that come out are all managed by this little Xie."
Lu Yinche also looked over, and in his heart, he had a better impression of this Xiao Xie. He was a money manager and reliable.
But... although this man didn't have a cold and stern look on his face, he had no expression on his face. He had an indescribable dullness about him, and his eyes always seemed to fall on Lu Yinche.
He couldn't help but wonder: Could it be that the person who came out of Cheng Xiaozong was either a fanatical and yandere fan of Yan Yanshu like Xie Qiaosheng, or the one in front of him... who seemed to have "imitating the sword master and keeping silent is golden" engraved in his bones?
What kind of feng shui is this sect?
But, the one who pays is the boss.
Little Xie said nothing, but readily took out a bag of spirit stones and placed it on the table.
Xie Qiaosheng's vision went dark.
Isn't this just transferring money from one hand to the other? It's still Cheng Xiaozong's money!
Could you please stop being crazy about this shameless guy Lu Yinche?
Lu Yinche commented: "You can't be so mean to our little Xie. I have every reason to suspect you're just jealous of her youth and beauty."
Wei Qi couldn't help laughing beside him.
Xie Juncun, who was demoted to Xiao Xiao Xie, didn't make any moves.
"By the way, is your family name Xie?" Lu Yinche asked him.
This question is quite common. Many cultivators change their names and surnames after severing their worldly ties. The leader of the Chengxiao Sect particularly favored the surname "Xie," bestowing it upon his disciples of unknown origin—mostly abandoned infants or children abandoned by their families.
For example, "Xie Qiaosheng" was picked up by the headmaster from under a bridge, where he nearly froze to death in a snowstorm. The name is as it implies, expressing gratitude for the bridge that saved his life in a snowstorm. It's quite straightforward.
Xie Juncun shook his head.
Lu Yinche understood: "Qiaosheng, listen to her name, it's so nice. It's obvious whether your master values her or not."
Xie Qiaosheng: “…”
The veins on his forehead throbbed faintly, and he resigned himself to telling the scoundrel a story.
…
In fact, Xie Qiaosheng has nothing to tell. He speaks without any beginning, development, or conclusion. He just states facts rigidly and his words are illogical. If he were to become a storyteller, he would be kicked out with his baggage in less than an incense stick of time.
But Lu Yinche listened with great interest, even sharing some refreshments with Wei Qi and the other children. Yang Deyou was flattered, and Xie Juncun thanked him out loud.
This little Xie's voice is very nice.
Better than Xie Qiaosheng's voice.
Xie Qiaosheng said that the reason they came to Yaocheng was for one person.
Nicknamed "Lao Shu," he was originally an outer disciple of the Chengxiao Sect. While his talent was limited, he was naturally active and adept at handling affairs, so he was given an assignment to run a business in Yaocheng. This was a common practice among major sects, sending disciples and even branches to gather information and even manage businesses in various locations.
"They only sent one person from such a big city like Yaocheng. No wonder they even want to make money from me. They are so mean, so mean." Lu Yinche commented as if it was none of his business.
Following the sect's instructions, Lao Shu would regularly send back news from Yao City using communication spirit stones. He also undertook an important task, which was to monitor the ghost cave near Yao City.
The Ghost Cave is a powerful force with countless branches. The one near Yaocheng is believed to be a "black cave". The name means that this cave is mainly engaged in the meat business, which is different from the "red cave" that does the flesh trade and the "gray cave" that deals with the human trafficking of higher-level monks.
Lu Yinche glanced at Lu Denghe.
The latter lowered his head guiltily.
It turns out that people who buy and sell low-level cultivators still dislike goods that are too low-level to sell...
Lao Shu's work was cautious, and he had never been targeted by the Ghost Cave's inmates. This also meant he couldn't provide any important information. Lately, however, the Ghost Cave has been selling more and more of them, not just low-level cultivators, but also children from the common people who haven't yet cultivated but have strong aptitudes. The common people couldn't explain the origins of the immortal masters, only knowing they would leave them some money. They assumed these children were following the immortals in their cultivation and enjoying a good life.
However, the nearby black market has many more small and fresh goods.
Lu Yinche gathered his scattered thoughts. "Oh? You're all so well-informed about the black market. The Immortal Alliance... and yet, you haven't shut down this den of evil yet? Are you still taking their dividends?"
Xie Qiaosheng replied angrily, "If we were to engage in such unscrupulous business, how could our sect be so short of funds?"
I have to say, his defense was very convincing.
The Chengxiao Sect, far away in the northern border, had no duty to protect Xizhou. Out of kindness, they sent a polite letter to the Qingtian Sect in Xizhou. Naturally, the letter didn't mention minor figures like Lao Shu, but simply gently reminded their disciples of the opportunity for training—it might be helpful to exercise some restraint on the ghost cave. After all, their current actions were extremely harmful to nature and against human harmony, and it could be considered a way for the cultivators to accumulate some positive karma for themselves.
Qingtianmen politely replied thank you.
But that’s all.
After that, the mouse came back with the news as usual, but the ghost cave continued to do its own thing. Until one day, the mouse only came back with half of the news.
To be precise, there are only two words.
"Good day."
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