"He took off again." Kou Beiyue shrugged. "That guy is completely mysterious. I barely know him either. Last time, I was eating pickled cabbage instant noodles outside a convenience store when he suddenly showed up out of nowhere and said he wanted to take me back north..."
Zhang Yuanqing listened to him chatter on and on, recounting every single detail of how he had met Heavenly King Demonic Eye. It dawned on him that beneath the teen's edgy exterior was an absolute chatterbox.
After listening to the whole thing, Zhang Yuanqing remarked, "You sure have courage."
Kou Beiyue raised his chin, barely concealing his pride. "I know he's strong—probably a Saint-stage Bewitching Demon. But my conviction is that while the strong may terrify me, they can never make me yield."
Zhang Yuanqing gave him a flat look. "I meant you have courage for eating pickled cabbage instant noodles. I'd suggest chasing it down with a tube of Daktarin cream."
The proud expression froze on Kou Beiyue's face.
"We were interrupted just now, so let's pick up where we left off," Zhang Yuanqing continued. "After becoming a Bewitching Demon, you must have looked into the person who killed your sister, right? Give me the details."
Hatred resurfaced on Kou Beiyue's face.
"That bastard is named Chi Yue'an, a Deacon of Shakou District and a Level 4 Fire Master. From what I've heard, he was placed into the Five Elements Alliance by the Zhu family of the Three Families of Life. He was originally a matrilocal son-in-law to the Zhu family, but after a divorce, he joined the Alliance..."
Zhang Yuanqing listened in silence, gaining an initial understanding of the Deacon he had just clashed with.
Then Kou Beiyue stopped.
"And then?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"And then what?" the rebellious youth shot back.
"Why did he kill your sister? Judging by her condition before she died, she had clearly suffered confinement, abuse, and sexual assault. For a high-ranking Deacon, that doesn't make much sense; I can't imagine his motive for doing something so vile. What happened to your sister before she went missing? Where was she held captive after she disappeared? Have you investigated any of that?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
Kou Beiyue shook his head.
Zhang Yuanqing stared in disbelief. "In two whole years, all you dug up was Chi Yue'an's background?"
Sensing the strange look in his eyes, Kou Beiyue defensively argued, "I'm not an official member! I lack the channels to investigate, and I never learned the tricks of the trade. Fighting is what I'm good at. Besides, Bewitching Demons don't have skills suited for detective work.
"On top of that, Chi Yue'an is with the authorities, and he's been covering up his tracks the whole time. Isn't it completely normal that I couldn't find anything?"
*Isn't it just because you're an idiot?* Zhang Yuanqing mused, "Did it ever cross your mind to bewitch an officer at the Public Security Bureau over a long period and have him investigate on your behalf?"
"..." Kou Beiyue froze for a long moment before scrambling for an excuse: "Master Wuhen laid down a rule that we cannot use our powers on ordinary people. What if an officer found something out and got silenced? Wouldn't that be getting an innocent person killed?"
*Who knew that helping rescue someone would drag me into such a mess? I'll have to report this to the Centurion...* Zhang Yuanqing said, "What are your plans now? You'd better tell Xiao Yuan about being marked, because that psycho can track your location in real time."
Right then, Kou Beiyue's phone rang. Seeing it was Xiao Yuan calling, his face lit up with delight, but when he answered, his tone turned deliberately impatient: "What is it, Xiao Yuan? Are you done yet? I'm exhausted and need some rest. Save your scolding for when I get back to the hotel."
"No need to come back," Xiao Yuan said coolly. "Master Wuhen has expelled you from the group. You don't ever need to return."
Kou Beiyue's expression froze instantly, the color draining from his face. Taking a deep breath, he sneered, "Fine by me! I've always flown solo anyway. If you hadn't stuck your nose into my business back then, I'd probably be out living the high life somewhere. Who wants to stay at that crappy hotel? I'm hanging up!"
Kou Beiyue slumped onto his haunches, gritting his teeth. His expression was fierce, but his eyes were filled with sorrow and loneliness.
Like an abandoned dog.
Back at Wuhen Hotel, Xiao Yuan hung up, set her phone on the nightstand, and rubbed her temples. She murmured, "Someone has finally stepped in to deal with that mess."
Smoothing her long hair, she slipped under the covers and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
"Well, no need to mention the mark anymore," Zhang Yuanqing said. "Let me point you toward a clear path. If you want revenge, you can report it to that psycho from earlier. With you as a witness, he'd probably make a move."
"My business is my own. I don't need anyone's help. If he helps me and then insists on taking me north, I won't be in a position to refuse, and I don't want to go to the north," Kou Beiyue snorted. "I hate the northern climate. I'd rather shiver through the winter down south."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Then follow my lead. An official Walker murdering an ordinary person is a grave crime. As a Night Wanderer of the Taiyi Sect, I have the authority to investigate."
Kou Beiyue raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. "You're going to help me?"
"Not helping you—just fulfilling my duties. You take a salary, you do the work; it's only natural." Zhang Yuanqing opened his inventory and summoned the Demon-Subduing Pestle. "Before that, we need to purify the mark inside you. This item possesses purifying power, but the cost of using it is sacrificing essence blood. Stab yourself in the leg with it."
With that, he tossed the Demon-Subduing Pestle over.
Kou Beiyue caught the brass pestle and, without a second thought, plunged it fiercely into his thigh, driving it deep into the flesh.
As if meeting a sponge, the blood was instantly soaked up by the pestle. In the next instant, a clear, brilliant golden light erupted, enveloping the unruly youth.
Bathed in the golden radiance, Kou Beiyue felt a wave of warmth wash over him. Soon, the grievances, anger, and helplessness bottled up in his heart dissipated considerably, leaving his thoughts remarkably clear.
*It can even purify emotions to an extent?* Grimacing in pain as he inspected the item's details, he hissed, "Good stuff. Shame the cost is so steep, making it useless in battle... Hiss, damn, that hurts..."
*No, you're just way too honest. I told you to stab yourself, not plunge it to the hilt, you idiot...* Zhang Yuanqing nodded solemnly, keeping up his facade of a composed homebody. "Give it back."
Without hesitation, Kou Beiyue tossed the powerful item back.
Catching the pestle, Zhang Yuanqing was about to return it to his inventory when a thought struck him: *If I were Heavenly King Demonic Eye, wouldn't I take the opportunity to plant a mark inside a Taiyi Sect Night Wanderer as well? Even though the guy claimed he needed evidence before killing people, an evil profession is an evil profession, naturally hostile to the orthodox camp. Given the chance, why wouldn't he mark a captain-level official Walker to track his location in real time?*
With that in mind, Zhang Yuanqing reversed his grip on the Demon-Subduing Pestle and lightly pricked the skin of his thigh.
The pestle automatically drew a trace of essence blood, channeling the divine power of the sun back into its wielder to purge any foreign influence.
Kou Beiyue looked at the tiny pinprick on Zhang Yuanqing's leg, then down at his own wound that nearly exposed bone. He muttered, "Why didn't you say so earlier..."
The corner of Zhang Yuanqing's mouth twitched. "I didn't expect you to be so ruthless to yourself either. All right, let's get out of here. Purging the marks has probably already alerted him."
***
On a rooftop far away from Kangyang District, Heavenly King Demonic Eye, who had opened his demonic eye to scan the area, suddenly let out a soft "Huh?"
Tilting his head, he glanced back in the direction he had come from.
"My mark was purified? A Level 3 Night Wanderer actually possesses such means..."
Heavenly King Demonic Eye closed the vertical eye, adjusted his headband, and dialed his subordinate's number.
"Look into the Taiyi Sect captain stationed in Kangyang District for me. Check if his name is Yuan Ting, and send me his dossier once you're done."
"Understood, Heavenly King!"
"How is the intelligence gathering on Yuanshi Tianzun going? Has anyone in the black market submitted evidence of his crimes?" Heavenly King Demonic Eye asked.
"Nothing yet—neither leads on members of the Palace of Halting Slaughter nor any criminal records on Yuanshi Tianzun."
Finding someone was difficult, especially when searching for a Spirit Realm walker, so this outcome was hardly surprising. Heavenly King Demonic Eye clicked his tongue. "Is this Yuanshi Tianzun really such a paragon of virtue?"
His subordinate paused, then offered, "Heavenly King, based on the records, I think... perhaps... well, he simply hasn't had the time to commit any crimes."
After all, counting from the day Yuanshi Tianzun joined the authorities, it had barely been two months.
***
At a budget hotel in Kangyang District, Zhang Yuanqing stood at the end of the hallway and dialed Fu Qingyang's number.
"It is 1:30 in the morning. Calling me at this hour implies something significant," Fu Qingyang said in his characteristically cold, indifferent tone.
"Yes, I have an important matter to report."
Zhang Yuanqing immediately recounted the grudge between Kou Beiyue and Chi Yue'an to the Centurion.
"Investigating a Deacon requires an Elder's approval," Fu Qingyang said. "Chi Yue'an is the Deacon of Shakou District, not a direct subordinate of Elder Gou, so the Elder won't get involved. If you want to intervene in this matter, gather evidence and report him to the branch's higher-ups."
"Understood. Does the Centurion have any further advice?" He wanted to gauge Fu Qingyang's stance.
Fu Qingyang replied impassively, "Having a sense of justice is fine, but it is not advisable for you to be out and about right now. Investigating a Deacon-level Walker is a major undertaking. If a commotion arises, Demonic Eye is bound to catch wind of it. My suggestion is to leave it alone for now."
*I can completely disguise myself and investigate secretly, no big deal.* Zhang Yuanqing continued, "The second matter is that I just met Heavenly King Demonic Eye."
"You met Demonic Eye?" Fu Qingyang's tone sank.
Zhang Yuanqing explained what had transpired.
Fu Qingyang remained silent for a long moment before analyzing, "Yuan Ting is quite well-known within the Taiyi Sect. If Demonic Eye investigates, he will soon discover that Yuan Ting is currently in the capital and couldn't possibly have met him in Songhai. However, he won't be able to deduce that you are Yuanshi Tianzun from that either.
"Stay undercover as planned and do not get involved in this. The branch Elders will be taking action soon. That said, the man is exceedingly cautious, making him difficult to track down."
Zhang Yuanqing immediately chimed in, "I added Heavenly King Demonic Eye as a contact. We can locate him through his phone."
"A contact? You actually added him as a contact?" Fu Qingyang was taken aback, then gave a cold snort. "Foolish. How do you know this isn't his ploy to lure the snake from its hole? He knew you were an official Night Wanderer and still dared to add you as a contact. That alone speaks volumes."
"The Centurion is right; that was thoughtless of me."
Fu Qingyang gave an acknowledging hum. "Furthermore, in a few days, I will convene an online meeting of the White Tiger Guards to announce my plan to recruit you. Once it passes unanimously, I will send you an invitation."
*So I still have to wait a few more days... Centurion, I'm practically drooling over that mansion worth tens of millions.* Zhang Yuanqing replied, "Understood!"
The two concluded the call.
Zhang Yuanqing then stepped into the room and exchanged contact details with Kou Beiyue. Considering that he might need an assistant for a clandestine investigation, he instructed Kou Beiyue to wait at the hotel for further word.
***
The next morning, Zhang Yuanqing finished breakfast, watched his aunt leave for work, told his grandmother he had no morning classes, and headed back to his bedroom with a clear conscience.
Since he didn't need to report to the office these days and couldn't see the seasoned flirt Guan Ya or Li Dongze, he was bored out of his mind at home. Since he had time on his hands anyway, he might as well look into Deacon Chi.
Before that, however, he needed to pull Xiao Yuan into the guild to settle the matter once and for all.
Zhang Yuanqing opened the guild warehouse, clicked the search bar in the top-right corner, and using his finger as a pen, typed: Xiao Yuan.
He sent out the recruitment invitation.
A few minutes later, the Spirit Realm's notification chimed:
[Ding! Xiao Yuan has joined your guild.]
*Actually, pulling Guan Ya in wouldn't be bad either, and maybe even the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter. That way, my guild will be packed with stunning beauties, and as guild leader, I'll command a court of flowers and make a name across the land...*
Zhang Yuanqing sent Xiao Yuan a message: "I've settled Kou Beiyue in. As for his matter, I'll try to investigate."
Xiao Yuan replied with a single character: "Mm."
*Xiao Yuan was probably eager for me to take Kou Beiyue off her hands...* Zhang Yuanqing typed: "I also have a favor to ask Auntie Xiao Yuan."
Xiao Yuan: "What is it?"
Zhang Yuanqing: "I want to hunt a Level 3 Bewitching Demon and refine them into a yin corpse. But as you know, evil professions are like rats in the sewer; I can't find them."
Xiao Yuan: "So you need another sewer rat to help?"
Zhang Yuanqing: "Aiya, you're belittling yourself far too much."
Xiao Yuan: "Heh. Wait for my word."
As they were chatting, Zhang Yuanqing saw a new message pop up on his phone from Xie Lingxi.
"Brother Yuanshi, we have a new member? Who's Xiao Yuan? A magical girl?"
As a guild member, Xie Lingxi had also received the Spirit Realm notification.
*No, she's a magical auntie!* Zhang Yuanqing typed back: "You've met her."
Xie Lingxi: "Huh? But I don't know her; I've never even heard that name."
He replied to Xiao Yuan with a "Thanks" to wrap up their chat, then responded to the little green tea: "The receptionist at Wuhen Hotel."
"Ah?! Why did you invite an evil profession into the guild? That's not good, is it? That auntie looks super fierce. Is it really okay having her in the guild? Can she be trusted?"
Xie Lingxi's impression of Xiao Yuan was frozen in their first meeting—she had only remembered her as a strikingly pretty and sexy woman with a cold, terrible temper.
"Don't worry, she's a companion of Ashamed to Be a Father. Her character is fine."
After calming the little green tea down with a few words, Zhang Yuanqing unexpectedly received an incoming call from his mother.
*Her?* Zhang Yuanqing was stunned. He quickly answered and scoffed, "Your venerable self manages ten thousand affairs a day. How do you actually have time to call me? Done with meetings? Done drumming up business?"
His mom didn't seem to catch the sarcasm and said, "About what we talked about last time—I contacted that business partner of mine. He's free today and can meet up with you."
Chapter 154