“`
In the year 641 of Da Liang, on the 28th of June, in the morning.
In Lin Heng Lane, Chen Residence.
Chen Mu savored some pastries and tea as he leisurely browsed through “Bone Reading for Physiognomy”.
After a good while, Chen Mu closed the book and turned his gaze to the gray wall.
Shape-shifting Technique: 697/10000/Third Rank;
“Gained thirty points?!”
Xing Lao Liu could use it to inspect corpses and read fortunes.
Chen Mu could use it to boost the Proficiency of his Shape-shifting Technique.
“A fine book!” Chen Mu nodded in satisfaction.
More than ten days had passed since he abandoned the plan to impersonate a character from Outlaws of the Marsh.
Chen Mu had diligently stayed within Lin Heng Lane, not setting foot outside.
The twenty-day lockdown was starting to reveal its dire consequences.
Shortages of supplies gradually led to chaos, and vicious brawls broke out from time to time.
Chao Tianwang allowed things to take their own course, yet his recruitment drive was in full swing.
Experience tales with M V L
Because only by joining Chao Tianwang could one earn money and have food to eat.
He slaughtered rich families and plundered wealth, recruiting soldiers and buying horses, yet he paid no heed to the common people’s livelihood.
“This Chao Tianwang, planning to slip away?”
“Hurry and go!”
“If you all leave, I’ll leave too.”
Nanyang Prefecture City was nearly ruined by disaster.
“Once I get to Lijiang City, I’ll stay at home to practice my skills, and I won’t step outside no matter what,” he vowed.
The world was in far too much chaos.
Massacring cities and annihilating clans was commonplace.
…
Chen Mu put away the book and stepped into the center of the courtyard.
He crossed his hands and gently pressed them against his lower abdomen. His breathing rhythm abruptly changed, becoming urgent.
He began to practice the Heavenly Serpent Shape Cultivation Technique.
Although he had been hiding lately, he had never neglected his Shape Cultivation.
With his breathing changing, Chen Mu started to twist his waist and swing his hips, contorting his body into an inconceivable angle.
That was the hallmark of the Heavenly Serpent Shape Cultivation Technique, which could greatly enhance bodily flexibility.
Following the usual rhythm, Chen Mu practiced slowly and rhythmically.
After one repetition, Chen Mu let out a long breath.
He glanced at the gray wall.
Heavenly Serpent Shape Cultivation Technique: 9536/10000/Third Rank;
“Almost there!”
…
In the afternoon, as the sun was setting, the sky was awash with blood-red hues of dusk.
The dazzling red and yellow light cast upon Chen Mu’s cheeks.
Whoosh…
A long breath was released.
Chen Mu’s muscles started to rapidly undulate. Instead of bulging, they contracted inward.
The large muscles became fine and dense, flexible yet firm, and like a spring, filled with explosive power.
If he wished, he could instantly unleash the full force within his body, just like a python latching onto its prey.
Moreover, Chen Mu found that he had grown taller again, nearly reaching one meter seventy-nine.
“Another Shape Cultivation Technique reached the Marrow Transformation stage,” he mused.
“In at most a month, I’ll be able to cultivate the sixth Wandering Soul,” he reasoned.
Chen Mu lifted his shirt and gathered all the Wandering Souls around his belly.
Suddenly, a band as wide as two palms and pitch black appeared on his abdomen.
“A hundred years to cultivate a soul? Ha!”
“Who are you looking down on!”
Chen Mu chuckled proudly and pinched his glossy black belly skin.
“What exactly is this Soul Strength?”
The skin was pitch black and shiny, yet no skin texture was visible, indicating that this was not a simple change in skin quality.
But to say it was an independent substance covering the epidermis, there was no thickness to be felt.
“In any case… it’s just magical!”
…
In the evening, at the Prefectural Government Office.
The main hall of the inner courtyard was guarded at the center by a team of elite soldiers.
Within fifty meters, not a single maid or servant was in sight, eliminating any possibility of eavesdropping.
Inside the main hall, Chao Fang sat at the head with a beaming smile, while his twelve brothers were seated in two rows below him.
“Lately, you all must have reaped quite a lot,” said Chao Fang, brimming with smiles.
The subordinates below all burst into laughter.
Zong Tai, seated at the first place on the left, forced a smile.
Ever since taking over the Inner City, he had been sent off to guard the Scripture Pavilion and missed out on the spoils!
“It’s fine to claim your share, but don’t let your men pull the wool over your eyes,” advised Chao Fang. “The second brother handled it well.”
“To string someone up so slickly, easily intimidating those sly officials.”
“`
“Big brother sure has his ways!” Jia Xiang, seated at the first place on the right, laughed heartily, “I went to see that old man, his balls are about to explode from the sun!”
“Hahaha…”
Twelve brothers chuckled and guffawed.
Zong Tai tugged at the corner of his mouth, forcing a grim bitter smile.
“Zong Tai, it’s nothing but a few manuals for Shape Cultivation Technique. If someone tricked them away, then they’re gone,” Chao Fang consoled.
“But you should take this as a warning. If you’re not meticulous in your actions, how can I dare to give you greater responsibilities?”
“Elder Brother’s lessons are right!” Zong Tai quickly stood up and said respectfully.
“Sit, sit, sit…” Chao Fang waved his hand amiably.
His smile swiftly faded, and he said sternly, “Brothers, it’s time for us to retreat.”
“We’ll quietly retrieve the Soul-Calming Stake tonight, and first thing tomorrow morning, we’ll set out from the city.”
“Big Brother, why the rush?” the third brother, Jia Xiang, asked in confusion.
“Shangguan Ji has arrived eighty li outside the city, leading eight thousand of Tangshan Camp’s armored elite, stationed at Xiulin Slope.”
“He also brought the Evil-Repelling Mirror. The evil spirits detained outside the city won’t be able to stop him.”
Chao Fang’s face grew more solemn, “We’ve gathered enough people, and we’ve grabbed enough money. Brothers, it’s time to go.”
“The most important thing tonight is taking back the Soul-Calming Stake. No unforeseen trouble must arise.”
“If there are any mistakes, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Chao Fang said indifferently.
The jovial crowd instantly rose to their feet, respectfully saluting, “Yes, commander!”
Everyone’s gaze casually shifted towards Zong Tai.
Although they called each other brothers on normal days, they must not delay the important matters of Tianwang.
This second brother, who was being neglected up until now, was a prime example!
Zong Tai clenched his fists and bowed, feeling the weight of the looks behind him, and couldn’t help biting down hard on his back teeth!
“Damn you, Song Jiang!”
…
Linheng Lane, Chen Residence.
Next to the brick stove at the base of the eastern wall. Two swirls of black smoke floated at the top of the chimney.
The smoke from the burning wood was first swallowed by the black smoke below, then spewed from the upper smoke cluster.
In and out, the unburnt carbon particulates were completely filtered out.
A ball of clear water hovered in mid-air as the Five Ghosts Bag was fed into the vertical shaft.
The smoke from the stove, washed over and over by the drifting water, quickly lost its color.
“Think you can catch my strength with cooking smoke? If you find me, I’ll consider it a loss!”
Chen Mu held a spatula, humming an unknown ditty, sizzling and stir-frying the flavorful cured meat.
“Having mastered the Shape Cultivation Technique today, I must add an extra dish no matter what!”
Had time permitted, he would have certainly prepared a jar of braised pork for himself.
“Can’t delay the performance by Yu Tao.”
“Tomorrow, for sure, I’ll make up for it!”
…
Zong Tai walked out of the inner courtyard of the Prefectural Government Office, passing by the six departments of the yamen’s office.
Glancing up at the emaciated figure hanging from the flagpole, his fists clenched involuntarily.
Thinking about his other brothers, thriving and increasing their wealth and soldiers, while he remained nothing more than a bare pole commander.
His resentment towards Old Ding grew stronger.
“Getting the Soul-Calming Stake is what’s important.”
“Let you, that old thing, live another night!”
“Setting out early tomorrow morning… Hmph!”
Zong Tai changed his clothes, put on a hat, and after leaving the Prefectural Government Office, he rode a horse-drawn carriage and dashed towards the South Gate of the Inner City.
The roads of the Inner City were wide and sparsely populated by the evening, allowing him to leave the Inner City in just a quarter of an hour.
After making several turns here and there, another quarter of an hour later, the carriage arrived at Linheng Lane.
Zong Tai jumped down from the carriage and looked around attentively.
His continued mistakes made him all the more cautious in his actions.
A faint yet tantalizing spicy aroma wafted into his nostrils.
“What’s this delightful smell? Is it dinnertime?” Zong Tai looked up at the gradually darkening sky.
“I’ll finish this quickly and then head to the banquet with Big Brother.” Zong Tai stepped forward to leave, but suddenly halted.
“Hang on. Wasn’t this street always unoccupied? Where is that smell coming from?”
To ensure the safety of the Soul-Calming Stake, he had once checked personally; the surrounding houses were all vacant.
But somehow, a scholar appeared and disturbed his plans, and because of that, he ended up being ostracized and neglected.
Later on, he speculated that the man might have been an escaping criminal, like them, deliberately seeking out deserted houses to hide in.
Their encounter might have merely been a coincidence.
Zong Tai carefully recalled the scholar, and suddenly, his brow furrowed.
He remembered that the scholar’s pan-fried dumplings also had an alluring fragrance.
Just like this spicy scent, irresistible, making one salivate.
In the same Linheng Lane.
On the same deserted street.
Also able to cook incredibly delicious food.
Could it be…
Zong Tai abruptly turned his head, looking solemnly toward the nearby street corner.
“Could another escaped criminal have shown up?!”