“`
In the old wooden building of Shanglin Neighborhood.
Three peculiar syllables escaped Chen Mu’s mouth.
Black smoke appeared in mid-air, twisting and rolling like a long serpent, then suddenly plunged downward.
The live fish in the filled tank disappeared without a trace.
This process was repeated six times, and all the fish in seven large tanks were devoured.
Chen Mu introspected the space within the Five Ghosts Bag, and that cluster of Three Treasures Essence hovering in mid-air finally underwent some change.
The original light red mist, the size of a mung bean, had now turned into… a less light red mist, still the size of a mung bean.
“No wonder they set their sights on living humans.”
He had swallowed no fewer than thirty-five tanks of live fish, but up to now, he hadn’t managed to refine a single drop of Diandan red.
“If I keep fishing like this, the Dragon King of Luo River is going to come looking for trouble with me.”
The black smoke in his hand rolled, and a bright red Elixir Pill appeared in his palm.
Chen Mu looked up in the direction of the Inner City, “The people of this world live such miserable lives.”
He had every reason to suspect that this thing was refined from the countless lives of the people in the Inner City.
“With such turmoil, it’s a miracle that Da Liang hasn’t fallen yet.”
Chen Mu indifferently put away the Dragon Transformation Pill in his hand.
“Seems like there’s no need to rush the refining of Diandan red.”
Carrying forty-one Zuming Talismans… though burdened with debt,
мѵʟ
His need for money was no longer so urgent.
The income from the three replicated Elixir Pills was enough to support him in paying off the debt, even though it might take some time.
There was also no need to think about exchanging the Dragon Transformation Pill for the Shape Cultivation Technique, as he had already found a way to obtain the Shape Cultivation Technique.
“It’s just a little bit dangerous.”
…
Under the pavilion, Chen Mu placed a wooden basin on a stone table.
The basin was filled with clear water, and Chen Mu looked down at the surface of the water.
He watched as the muscles of his face slowly writhed, transforming into a handsome young scholar.
“Young Master Duan Yu.”
Chen Mu then shook his head, “This poor little brother is too miserable, all the girls he likes… are his actual sisters.”
“Cousin sisters are still sisters.”
He quickly adjusted his facial muscles, turning into a refined middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, “I am Duan Zhengchun!”
Chen Mu nodded in satisfaction, then shook his head again, “This old chap’s luck with women, tsk tsk… what a shame he’s got a cuckold’s green hat.”
Suddenly his face changed again, “Still, Yan Zu is more pleasing to the eye.”
“Mmm, Guan Xi is passable too.”
Chen Mu chuckled, continuously altering his facial contours.
Limited by his facial features, he couldn’t achieve a perfect match. But deceiving Old Master Ding would be a piece of cake!
…
Early in the morning, Xing Lao Liu got up and had a bowl of wontons at the street corner, then leisurely headed towards the Prefectural Government Office in the Inner City.
The office had changed its master, but it did not affect him much. As long as he kept his skills, he could make a living anywhere.
His family had been coroners for generations, with intimate knowledge of human anatomy, especially skilled in examining bones.
Passing by the large mansions, Xing Lao Liu couldn’t help shaking his head.
“Extravagant wealth is but a passing cloud; in death, all is lost.”
More than ten days ago, the owner of this mansion was someone he envied and was jealous of, someone he wished to replace.
Now?
“Heh… now they might envy me.”
“That is, if the dead could still think.”
…
After checking in at the government office and exchanging greetings with old friends with jokes and laughter,
Xing Lao Liu entered the familiar inner courtyard’s Scripture Pavilion. He pulled out the picture book he hadn’t finished the day before and continued his perusal.
It wasn’t until the sun was well up in the sky that Zong Tai, in charge of the Pavilion, arrived, listless and sallow-faced. He ignored the fawning smile of Xing Lao Liu and went straight to the second floor on his own.
Xing Lao Liu shook his head, “Fame and fortune are like dung, and no one can possess them forever.”
This man was also a confidant of Chao Tianwang, and it was unknown how he had angered Chao Tianwang to be sent here to guard the Scripture Pavilion.
While his colleagues strutted around outside, amassing fortunes, he could only hide here, sipping tea in melancholy.
Xing Lao Liu stopped pondering further.
All the excitement belonged to others, and at his age, all he wanted was to live the rest of his life in peace.
Nestled in his rocking chair, under the shadow of the Scripture Pavilion, Xing Lao Liu blew the cool and refreshing Gentle Breeze from the lake, full of contentment.
“This life… is comfortable.”
“Look at those scribes, searching through materials, recording information, busy as dogs.”
“And those recruiting soldiers, they may make silver, but what if one day they come across a tough nut to crack?”
“`
“This place is the best, no one comes to disturb.”
Xing Lao Liu was full of self-satisfaction.
“The most important thing is, it’s safe!”
Just as he was reveling in contentment, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears.
“Xing Lao Liu, stop sleeping! Get up quickly and register this young brother!”
Ding Lao Tou?
Why is someone else coming to learn the Shape Cultivation Technique?
Thinking of the fierce man with a face full of flesh from yesterday, Xing Lao Liu, with his eyes still closed, suddenly had a bad premonition.
He hurriedly opened his eyes, not even bothering to greet Ding Lao Tou, and focused his gaze on the young man behind him.
Around 1.75 meters tall, wearing black athletic attire, with his hair tied in a grey cloth.
Most importantly, that delicate and fair face… another ruthless person who has undergone extreme modifications?!
One came yesterday, and now another one today, could it be… I’ve gotten into some trouble?!
…
Chen Mu looked at Xing Lao Liu with an expressionless face.
He remembered who this skinny old man was.
Last time, in order to avoid a major search leaving Nanyang, it was this old man checking identities at the gate.
This person seemed to be extremely adept at seeing through face-changing techniques.
Chen Mu squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Xing Lao Liu, and now…
It was secure!
Even Second Rank shapeshifting technique he couldn’t see through, let alone Third Rank!
Immediately, he confidently smiled at Xing Lao Liu.
Xing Lao Liu stiffened all over, his facial skin shivering as if it had cramps.
“He smiled? And smiled so cruelly?!”
“Is he threatening me?”
“He dares to threaten me?!”
“Your… What might your honored surname be?” Xing Lao Liu forced a difficult smile and asked cautiously.
“There’s no need for ‘honored,’ I am Chen Jia, please proceed with the registration, Mr. Xing,” Chen Mu replied leisurely.
He kept smiling amiably the whole time.
This old man is indeed useless!
“Mr. Xing… It’s over! He remembered my name now!”
Xing Lao Liu’s calves even began to tremble?
He daringly didn’t look Chen Mu in the eye, quickly jotting down the information, then promptly stood up to invite Chen Mu inside the building.
…
“Xing Lao Liu, your place is not up to scratch. At the Prefectural Government Office, how can you make your coffin funds?” Ding Lao Tou said with a look of disdain.
Ding Lao Tou cautiously glanced at Chen Mu’s figure inside the Scripture Pavilion, noticed that Chen Mu had already gone up to the second floor, and immediately started to shake three fingers proudly, saying, “Today, I made this much again!”
Xing Lao Liu glared at him, wishing he could strangle the old man.
Making money! Making money! It’s all he knows!
Do you know whose money you’re making?!
People who dare to go through extreme modifications, you actually dare to provoke them?!
“Scram!”
Ding Lao Tou: “…”
…
In the evening, a donkey pulling a black-lacquered carriage slowly stopped in front of a red-painted large gate.
“This is Wu Character Camp. Your cousin is inside. I won’t go in.”
Two days in a row, six hundred taels of silver in hand.
If he went to a nearby Guard City and spent it frugally, it would be enough to last him until he’s buried!
Thinking this, his gaze towards Chen Mu became even kinder.
What a naive target, why did only two come?
At that moment, Chen Mu suddenly said, “Ding Lao, I have a friend named Yang Zhi, known in Jianghu as ‘Green-faced Beast’.”
“He looks a bit scary, but he has extraordinary skills. It’s just that his background is a bit poor, so during the review…”
Ding Lao Tou was so excited he almost passed out: “Let him come!”
It’s another three hundred taels! No, wait, it seems…
He restrained his smile and hesitantly said, “Regarding the… gratuity…”
“You decide everything!” Chen Mu smiled gleefully.
“I’ll take responsibility for any problems!” Ding Lao Tou declared, full of boldness.
“So we are agreed then?” Chen Mu continued to smile.
Ding Lao Tou firmly affirmed, “Agreed, no going back!”