Zhang Yuanqing jolted, snapping awake in an instant. He tried to move, but his muscles were limp and powerless, as though he were under total anesthesia.
Beside him, Queen and Jingwei were in a similar state, their faces pale as they squirmed in feeble resistance, seemingly weaker than three-year-old children.
"No need to struggle. Once struck by the Azure Dragon Gang's Tendon-Relaxing Powder, even a top martial expert in the pugilistic world would be limp for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea," Wang Beiwang said indifferently.
"C-Cousin, what are you doing?" Zhang Yuanqing forced a smile. "I'm your cousin, Li Erdan."
Wang Beiwang let out a cold sneer. "Let's cut the act. I've already broken free of your mental manipulation."
Hypnosis was a modern term; in ancient times, it was called "mental manipulation."
Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank. Casting aside his lingering, unrealistic hopes, he wracked his brain for a solution while stalling for time. "How did you do it?"
Wang Beiwang tapped the hilt of his sword. "A swordsman tempers the mind. A petty mental trick can only affect me for a short while. Before going to bed last night, I spoke with my parents about you. Even then, I vaguely felt something was wrong. Halfway through the night, I woke naturally and realized I had fallen under your mental manipulation. You certainly have some nerve, daring to stay in my home."
"Didn't you say you only knew some basic martial arts?"
"Why would I lay all my cards on the table for an enemy?!"
Zhang Yuanqing froze in utter shock upon hearing that. It wasn't because Wang Beiwang had deceived him—that wasn't the point. The key lay in the phrase *a swordsman tempers the mind*. In Spirit Realm walker terms, that was a Swordsman's passive skill: Iron Will.
Iron Will was a passive ability that only Level 4 Swordsmen could master. Theoretically speaking, Wang Beiwang, who was at most in the Transcendent stage, shouldn't possess it. However, ancient practitioners were different from Spirit Realm walkers; the latter received enlightened power directly bestowed by the Spirit Realm, whereas the former cultivated step-by-step through their own effort.
In other words, ancient Scouts began tempering their willpower during the Transcendent stage, waiting for it to evolve into Iron Will upon reaching the Saint stage. It was a gradual, progressive process of cultivation.
These were things beyond Zhang Yuanqing's scope of knowledge.
Looking at his dazed captive, Wang Beiwang snorted coldly. "My patience is limited. If you don't come clean, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Zhang Yuanqing's eyes darted around, and he plastered on a fawning smile. "Good hero, we—"
Beside him, Jiang Jingwei bristled defiantly. "If you want to kill us, just kill us! Cut the crap!"
"Shut up!" Zhang Yuanqing turned and spat toward her. *Is this brainless girl trying to get me killed?!*
He continued, "Hero, we were pursued by enemies and had no choice but to hide in your esteemed residence, hoping to borrow your honorable roof for shelter. That was all. We hold no malice toward your esteemed parents. Otherwise, why would we just mooch meals and do nothing else?"
Lord Tianzun had always known when to bend and when to stand tall, well aware that the wise adapt to circumstances. If his limbs weren't bound and his body weren't limp, Zhang Yuanqing would have performed a kowtow right on the spot.
Queen nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes! We were only staying for a few days and meant no harm at all. Brother Wang, people of the pugilistic world value chivalry and righteousness. Please help us!"
She only cursed herself for not being a Musician or a Desire, unable to deploy feminine wiles.
Wang Beiwang's gaze lingered across the three of them for a moment. Suddenly, he kicked over a wooden chest and pointed at the three bright-yellow casual robes that slid out, sneering, "Yellow dragon robes. These garments are reserved for the emperor. Ordinary folk aren't just forbidden from wearing them—weaving or keeping them privately is tantamount to rebellion. You three have quite the background."
His eyes turned fierce, and he abruptly drew his sword, thrusting it straight through Zhang Yuanqing's shoulder. "Who on earth are you?"
Zhang Yuanqing let out a pained grunt. Blood instantly soaked his shoulder, and beads of sweat popped up on his forehead. Hissing through his teeth, he cried out, "Spare me, hero! We're just thieves who steal clothes! We're being hunted precisely because we stole those yellow dragon robes!"
Wang Beiwang said coldly, "I ask, you answer. Just like during the day, I will only give you three instants for each question. Hesitate, and I will stab you once. Every delay earns another stab."
*How many seconds is three instants?* Zhang Yuanqing thought. *Isn't your unit of time a bit too arbitrary?!*
Before he could complain, Wang Beiwang asked, "With your clumsy, three-legged-cat martial arts, how could you infiltrate the imperial palace?"
"The clothes weren't stolen from the palace."
"Then where?!"
"The Zheng family!"
"Why would the Zheng family have yellow dragon robes?"
"The Zheng family wants to rebel!"
"Is it the Zheng family hunting you?"
"Yes!"
"Why steal dragon robes?"
"We work for the Yang family! The Yang family wanted to gather evidence of the Zheng family's rebellion!"
Throughout the rapid-fire exchange, Zhang Yuanqing carefully controlled his emotional reactions, ensuring that every sentence seemed completely genuine to counter Wang Beiwang's Insight.
*People of the Yang family...* Wang Beiwang did not continue his questioning. He fell into deep thought, startled by what he had just heard.
As a native of the capital and someone who had long walked the pugilistic world, his horizons were different from those of ordinary ruffians or commoners on the street.
The Zheng family harbor treacherous ambitions, while the Yang family wait like mantises stalking the cicada... This involved a struggle for supreme power, far beyond any petty martial clash.
He believed that "Cousin Li Erdan" was telling the truth. At least, with his sharp inner eye, he hadn't detected any sign of deception.
Furthermore, the three yellow dragon robes were exquisitely embroidered and made from superior fabric; they certainly came from the imperial court or high nobility.
These three "thieves" possessed some ability, but not much. It was impossible for them to infiltrate the imperial palace. By comparison, slipping into the Zheng residence was far more plausible.
Seeing Wang Beiwang's expression shift unpredictably as his eyes darted within their sockets—clearly caught in a mental storm—Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief.
After a dozen seconds, Wang Beiwang collected his thoughts and suddenly looked at Jiang Jingwei, asking, "Is he telling the truth?"
Jiang Jingwei nodded vigorously. "The truth."
Wang Beiwang's eyes turned razor-sharp in an instant. He glared at Zhang Yuanqing. "You dare lie to me?!"
He yanked his sword out, sending a splatter of blood flying, and flicked his wrist to thrust the point straight into Zhang Yuanqing's chest. As a member of a martial gang and a swordsman who lived by the blade, he had always been decisive and merciless.
Just as the blade was about to pierce Zhang Yuanqing's heart, Wang Beiwang suddenly checked his strike. The tip sank halfway into Zhang Yuanqing's chest, coming to a halt right before puncturing the heart.
"Keeping you alive is still of use." He slid the refined iron longsword back into its scabbard.
Zhang Yuanqing felt an immense sense of relief, knowing that his secret emotional manipulation had taken effect at the critical juncture.
Ever since waking up, Zhang Yuanqing had been subtly influencing the man's emotions. Considering the target was a Swordsman, he had only applied a light touch, instilling the notion that these "three petty thieves" were highly valuable, thereby stirring a desire to make the most of them.
A Swordsman's emotions were the hardest to manipulate. That was why he had deliberately thrown out a bunch of valuable information to lead the man into pondering, buying time for his emotional manipulation to work.
As for Jingwei being "forced" to sell out her teammate, that hardly mattered. A Swordsman wasn't stupid enough to interrogate only one person, and neither Queen nor Jingwei had the means to counter Insight; being caught in a lie was completely normal.
Zhang Yuanqing had never intended to deceive him entirely; he only needed to stall for time so his emotional manipulation could take effect.
Although struck by the Tendon-Relaxing Powder and bound hand and foot, as a Spirit Realm walker, so long as his inventory wasn't sealed, there was always a chance for a desperate turnaround—or rather, an escape.
Wang Beiwang wouldn't keep his eyes glued to them forever.
Just as Zhang Yuanqing had that thought, he saw Wang Beiwang swing the hilt of his sword toward his cheek.
*Smack!*
The hilt struck behind his ear. Zhang Yuanqing's eyes rolled back, and he blacked out.
Wang Beiwang repeated the action to knock out Jiang Jingwei and Queen, then left the room.
***
Zhang Yuanqing was awakened by faint jolting noises. Opening his eyes, he found himself inside a cramped carriage, the whole compartment swaying to the rumbling of wheels.
His hands were tied behind his back and his ankles bound. He lay curled on his side. Stretched out beside him was Jiang Jingwei, while behind him was a soft, voluptuous sensation... Queen was lying right against his back.
"Huh!" came Wang Beiwang's surprised voice from the driver's box. "Li Erdan, you have the frailest body, yet you woke up the fastest. Strange indeed."
Zhang Yuanqing sat up with great effort, panting for a few breaths before smiling bitterly. "Cousin, we siblings traveled thousands of miles to the capital to seek refuge with you, yet you tied us up like animals. Are you going to sell my sisters and me into a brothel?"
Wang Beiwang scoffed. "Your two sisters have decent looks; they might become top courtesans if sold into a brothel. As for you, you're fairly handsome. You could be gifted to some high official as a boy toy."
*My rear end is in serious danger...* Zhang Yuanqing clicked his tongue and asked, "Which high official's residence? Cousin, tell me in advance so I can mentally prepare myself."
Wang Beiwang said coldly, "No need to probe. You'll find out when the time comes. Don't pull any tricks on the road. If you dare call for help, I'll cut out your tongue."
*What's so scary about having my tongue cut out? Once I meet up with my aunt and Brother Red Chicken, a single vial of Life Source Fluid will fix it right up!* Zhang Yuanqing pricked up his ears to listen to the sounds outside the carriage.
There were no loud hawking calls, nor the noisy clamor of crowds. Only by listening intently could he occasionally catch a sound.
They were not in a bustling downtown area; the surroundings were quite quiet.
*Sigh, calling out for help would be meaningless anyway. I'll wait until we pass through a crowded market!* Zhang Yuanqing sighed helplessly.
Unfortunately, he found no opportunity right up until the carriage came to a halt.
The route Wang Beiwang had chosen was carefully planned, avoiding every busy market.
As the carriage stopped, Zhang Yuanqing, Queen, and Jiang Jingwei all widened their eyes and leaned in to listen to the commotion outside.
Zhang Yuanqing whispered, "Listen to me. Wang Beiwang must be taking us to meet the higher-ups of the Azure Dragon Gang. I've already concocted a complete and flawless story to deceive them. In a moment, I'll use an item to hypnotize you so you believe my story. As long as the gang's senior figure isn't a Saint-stage Swordsman, we'll have a chance of survival..."
Earlier, they had been caught off guard and ambushed by Wang Beiwang.
They couldn't afford to repeat that mistake.
Having parked the carriage, Wang Beiwang leaped down from the driver's seat. A few seconds later, the three heard a series of heavy knocks on a door.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and Wang Beiwang's voice rang out, "I need to see Elder Xu."
A deep voice answered, "Elder Xu is cultivating."
Wang Beiwang said, "It is a matter of utmost urgency. I must see him right now."
The other party was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I'll go report it. Come inside first. There are planks behind the door; lay them down yourself."
Hurried footsteps faded away. Wang Beiwang fetched the planks from behind the door, laid them across the threshold and steps, and then led the horse and carriage into the compound with a series of bumps and rattles.
By this time, Zhang Yuanqing had just finished hypnotizing Queen and Jingwei, struggling to put the pocket watch back into his inventory.
Wang Beiwang sat at the front of the carriage, watching over the three of them, and warned, "In a moment, you will face Elder Xu of the Azure Dragon Gang. Whatever he asks, you answer truthfully. The Azure Dragon Gang never slaughters the innocent, but if you dare play any tricks... Elder Xu's sword won't be as soft as mine."
Zhang Yuanqing's heart skipped a beat. "Elder Xu is also a Swordsman?"
Wang Beiwang's tone carried reverence. "My swordsmanship was taught by Elder Xu. He was the one who brought me into the fold."
*Did I violate the Spirit Realm's mother or something? Why does it keep screwing me like this?!* Zhang Yuanqing's heart plummeted to rock bottom.
All his preparations were for nothing.
An elder of the Azure Dragon Gang was bound to be in the Saint stage. Whether the hypnotized Queen and Jingwei could fool a Swordsman was unknown, but Zhang Yuanqing knew for certain that he couldn't bypass a Swordsman's Insight.
At this moment, he began to regret lending the Red Dancing Shoes to Brother Red Chicken. Most items in the Transcendent stage required physical maneuvering; with his body limp and limbs bound, it was nearly impossible to use them effectively.
The Red Dancing Shoes were different. They required no physical exertion—once worn, they let the user fly over roofs and vault over walls, all while granting high evasion.
Across both major divisions of the Spirit Realm, practically no class in the Transcendent stage possessed the ability to fly through the sky or tunnel underground. After all, Transcendent was merely a step above ordinary mortals.
The few abilities that did exist, like Fire Traveling, Night Roaming, and gliding, were completely unsuited to their current predicament.
A rule-based item like the Red Dancing Shoes was truly one of a kind.
Just then, a steady, solemn voice came from outside: "Beiwang!"
A middle-aged man wearing a white robe, his hair bound by a wooden hairpin, with sleeves billowing like a Daoist priest, approached along the winding corridor, led by the gatekeeper.
Wang Beiwang immediately hopped down from the carriage and straightened his back. "Elder Xu, this disciple has something to report. When I returned home yesterday, I caught three petty thieves in my house."
Though dressed in an otherworldly manner, Elder Xu had razor-sharp eyes and brows. He frowned. "Your matter of utmost urgency is three petty thieves?"
Wang Beiwang untied the bundle from his back, placed it on the driver's box, and said, "Elder Xu, please look."
He unwrapped the bundle right in front of Elder Xu, revealing a flash of bright yellow embroidered with golden dragons.
Elder Xu's pupils contracted violently. Turning into a white blur, he swept to the driver's box and grabbed a yellow dragon robe firmly in his hand, asking in a stern voice, "Where did this come from?"
"The three thieves were carrying them." Wang Beiwang cast his gaze toward the carriage.
Without another word, Elder Xu, gripping the yellow dragon robe, urgently pulled back the curtain.
His gaze swept across the interior, landing first on Queen's face. He gasped in astonishment, "Zhu Fu? Aren't you in the palace?!"
Queen froze, completely baffled.
*Who is Zhu Fu? Did this Elder Xu mistake me for someone else?*
A second later, it dawned on her. The singing courtesan Wang was an assassin planted in the palace by the Azure Dragon Gang!
Elder Xu then turned his gaze toward Jiang Jingwei and Zhang Yuanqing. The moment he clearly saw the latter's face, his expression changed drastically, and he cried out, "The fatuous monarch?!"
Chapter 859