Nanyang Prefecture, by the Jinshui River, Changrui Pier.
Under the cover of night, the flagship of the Startling Swan Gang loomed like a giant island in the water, floating serenely on the surface of the river.
Boom!
A loud noise erupted as the side of a ship by the pier suddenly burst open, and river water gushed into the hull.
The deck shattered violently, and two figures clad in black sprang out, clashing incessantly on the ship.
With each impact, it sounded as though metal struck metal, creating a continuous buzzing noise.
Jin Wuduan hunched his knees slightly, his right fist thrusting forward, left palm pressing downward slightly.
“Secret Technique · Returning Yuan Hand”
A bulge the size of a fist abruptly protruded from his lower abdomen. It swiftly traveled upwards, through his chest and shoulder, and burrowed into his right arm.
Whirr!
His entire arm appeared as though it was a red-hot iron, black and red, radiating astonishing heat, and then suddenly expanded.
Without hesitation, Jin Wuduan smashed his fist down, like a bronze hammer, the air itself bursting with a boom.
Bang!
Cheng Yi was like a badminton shuttlecock blasted away, smashing straight into the midst of the flagship.
Jin Wuduan’s face was filled with murderous intent, as he bolted towards the cabin right after.
Clang!
A sound like a bell being struck emanated from the cabin.
Jin Wuduan’s running figure momentarily stalled. Shaking his head vigorously to regain clarity, he looked up, only to find Cheng Yi’s figure had vanished.
Yet Jin Wuduan did not dare to relax his vigilance, maintaining his Shell Soul covering his entire body, constantly surveying the pitch blackness of the night.
“Master, are you alright?” Zuo Sheng quickly arrived at his side.
“He should have left.” Jin Wuduan breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew the possessed Shell Soul.
Hiss!
Like boiling water, his right arm suddenly emitted a large amount of steam. Jin Wuduan’s face turned pale.
“The envoy hasn’t returned yet?” Zuo Sheng furrowed his brow and complained, “If he doesn’t come back soon, the Startling Swan Gang will be dispersed by Cheng Yi!”
Jin Wuduan gave a wry smile and shook his head. Even if the Startling Swan Gang was annihilated, it wouldn’t compare to the loss of that little Daoist boy.
That day they found Cheng Yi, Sikou Qing went all out to snatch Cheng Ming away. Cheng Yi was severely injured and fled.
Sikou Qing didn’t have time to pursue Cheng Yi. He hurriedly took Cheng Ming and left.
Jin Wuduan guessed that Sikou Qing was hiding the Daoist boy, waiting for the right moment.
“Soon.” Jin Wuduan said reassuringly.
He couldn’t tell anyone about the information concerning that Daoist boy. If the news leaked, it would spell utter disaster.
And to cover up that news, Sikou Qing would definitely come back to deal with Cheng Yi.
They just needed to withstand Cheng Yi’s revenge for the time being.
…
In the north of Nanyang Prefecture City, within an abandoned estate.
Cheng Yi sat cross-legged on the ground, unconcerned by the dust.
Spit!
A clump of dark red blood was ejected, and Cheng Yi’s face revealed a relaxed expression.
He picked up a palm-sized yellow gourd beside him and poured out a drop of bright red liquid.
This liquid was extraordinary; once poured into the palm of his hand, it automatically coalesced into a round, crystal-clear shape, resembling a tempting gummy candy.
Cheng Yi swallowed it in one gulp, and his pale complexion quickly returned to normal.
“Isn’t this my dear nephew?” A faint chuckle suddenly came from the shadows.
A tall, thin old man in a black Daoist robe strode out.
“It’s you!” Cheng Yi’s eyes split with rage. Your next read awaits at m v|l-e’-NovelFull.net
“You’re the one who leaked my information!”
He had been hiding well, and for two consecutive months, the Startling Swan Gang had failed to find him.
But he was suddenly surrounded and attacked not long ago, without any prior sign.
With a slight curl of his mouth, Wu Yin said, “I just wanted to play a little joke on my dear nephew.”
“Who would have thought you’d be so useless.”
“To be dominated and beaten by a little girl.”
“Even your dear little junior brother couldn’t be saved.”
“Hehe…”
Veins on Cheng Yi’s forehead bulged in an instant.
“What’s the matter?”
“Looking to hit me?”
Wu Yin chuckled lightly, “Come on then, let’s see what my good senior brother has actually taught you?”
Cheng Yi’s fists clenched suddenly.
Both of them were Shell Souls, and both possessed Magic Artifacts. However, Wu Yin had achieved Shell Soul status for who knows how many years, and must have mastered secret techniques.
He couldn’t defeat Wu Yin.
Wu Yin looked at Cheng Yi with interest. Seeing that Cheng Yi ultimately held back, Wu Yin couldn’t help but curl his lips in disdain.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll let slip the news about your grandson?” Cheng Yi threatened, staring at Wu Yin.
Once it got out that Wu Yin’s grandson had Daoist Bone, the aristocratic families would definitely go crazy trying to claim him!
“Haha! Do you know, your temperament, it’s exactly like mine when I was young!” Wu Yin burst out laughing heartily, showing no concern for Cheng Yi’s threat at all.
“You think the aristocratic families dare to besiege me?” Wu Yin said with relish, “But they must have the courage first.”
Cheng Yi immediately felt a chill in his heart.
Just Sikou Qing alone had left him seriously injured.
But Wu Yin could make the aristocratic families wary—that level of strength…
“What the hell do you want?!”
It was Wu Yin who told him the purpose of Cheng Ming. But it was also this uncle who leaked his own news, resulting in Cheng Ming being snatched away.
“Nothing much, I just wanted to tell you. Besides Daoist Bone, there are other ways to get the Thousand Mechanism Token,” Wu Yin said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yi was taken aback, and his expression of resentment vanished immediately. He stood up, bowed respectfully, and said with a face full of embarrassment, “My home is indeed simple and lacks fine offerings for you, Uncle. I am extremely sorry.”
Watching Cheng Yi’s drastic change in attitude, Wu Yin couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.
“Nephew, you should focus on healing. With our relationship, there’s no need for such formality,” Wu Yin said cheerfully.
“Uncle is magnanimous,” Cheng Yi said with a solemn salute.
Wu Yin laughed even more joyfully, “No need to be so formal. Every time there’s a centennial upheaval, when the world is in chaos and evil spirits emerge frequently, that’s when the Thousand Mechanism Token appears.”
“Where evil spirits are numerous, there lies the Thousand Mechanism Token.”
“That’s why the young mistress of that aristocratic family is taking control of the Startling Swan Gang, constantly recruiting manpower,” Wu Yin explained.
“She needs people to explore and seek out the Thousand Mechanism Token.”
“You could also look for it.”
Thinking of the changes in Nanyang Prefecture City over the past six months, Cheng Yi suddenly realized.
It wasn’t just the Startling Swan Gang—the Tangshan Army and Zhu Yi Pavilion were also recruiting. They were all after the Thousand Mechanism Token!
“Thank you for your guidance, Uncle!” Cheng Yi’s attitude became ever more sincere and respectful, “I will definitely repay your kindness in the future, Uncle!”
Pointing at Cheng Yi, Wu Yin laughed heartily, “I just love this insincerity of yours… Hahaha!”
Saying so, he turned, waved his hand dismissively, and left the room with a big laugh.
This nephew is far too amusing!
…
Lijiang Guard City, Yongtong District.
Chen Mu lay in a rocking chair, engrossed in a book titled “Essentials of Orthopedics” that he held in his hands.
He had spotted this ancient medical book a few days earlier while out for a walk, in a second-hand bookstore.
The book talked about bone and physique correction and the methods and medications for treating bone injuries.
Chen Mu found that reading this book not only improved his proficiency in Pharmaceutical Technique, but his Shapeshifting Technique seemed to improve as well.
“No wonder it’s called the Shapeshifting Technique, it’s not just about working on the face.”
As his proficiency increased, he could now adjust his height slightly and also change his build within a certain range.
“Starting with facial features, and now body shape, they really want me to become a man of a thousand faces,” Chen Mu mused.
Unfortunately, the reputation of such a ‘man of a thousand faces’ was never good, either a flower-picking bandit or a deceitful villain.
“I’m just doing it for self-defense, not anything else, heh heh…”
He was just thinking about how he would play with changing his appearance in the future.
His breathing paused slightly and a sudden enlightenment surged into his mind.
His muscles twitched as if dancing, moving rhythmically with his breath; a light sound like the tinkling of spring water came from within his body.
After a while, Chen Mu opened his eyes.
He lifted his shirt to reveal his well-defined abdomen.
A palm-wide, pitch-black band encircled his waist just below the navel.
Chen Mu picked up a cup of herbal tea from beside him and sipped comfortably, “I’ve done it…”
With his eyes closed slightly, the image of a vague shadow suddenly appeared in his mind.
Bright silver spots floated around, with filaments connecting them, forming the Divine Intent Diagram of the Silver-Eyed Ape.