Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 86: Spy Within the Authorities

“There are currently numerous people showing symptoms of excessive sleepiness. Could the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman already be absorbing the lifespans of ordinary people?”

Lan Ting shook her head. “It’s not like that. Lifespan is a root of life and is not so easily affected. From your description, the people have only started exhibiting sleepiness recently. This is just the prelude. It’ll take at least half a month before it begins to truly absorb lifespans.

“The actual process of absorbing lifespans is extremely slow and hard to detect. But there’s also a method to forcefully activate it.”

“What method?!” Lu Yang pressed further.

Lan Ting replied solemnly, “Using Lifespan-Reversal Talismans as a node to set up a Lifespan-Reversal Array with human blood as a catalyst. This can activate the array without having to wait for half a month and use the lifespans of mortals to enhance one’s cultivation!”

In reality, the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman and Lifespan-Reversal Array were not commonly accessible knowledge, with only mentions of it in a few books. Furthermore, as the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman was truly wicked, books with their records became classified as forbidden. Even those erudite array masters might have only heard of the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman but not know its pattern.

Lan Ting was qualified to access these forbidden books only because she hailed from the Moon Laurel Celestial Palace. Despite claiming that her knowledge of arrays was superficial, what she just displayed was far beyond what one could consider as superficial.

Lan Ting continued, “However, the person who wrote the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman probably doesn’t know how to set up the Lifespan-Reversal Array. Before the array is activated, it should be more secretive with no warning signs of sleepiness. However, that doesn’t rule out the possibility that the culprit is still in the middle of setting up the array.”

While listening by the side, Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu also realized the gravity of the situation. If everyone in Yanjiang Commandery is experiencing sleepiness, that implies that the Lifespan-Reversal Talismans are hidden in various locations across Yanjiang Commandery! The mastermind behind the scenes is plotting something big!

“After the Lifespan-Reversal Array is activated, to what extent can it elevate the caster’s cultivation?”

Lan Ting shook her head. “It’s hard to say. This depends on how much lifespan the array absorbs. I can’t tell at the moment.”

“Come on, let’s go to the Big Stone Bridge to take a look. Maybe there are more there!” Lu Yang called the three of them to follow him.

To the west of Yanjiang Commandery was a large river called the Hidden Dragon River. The section passing through Yanjiang Commandery flowed slower, making it a popular scenic spot. The name “Yanjiang,” which meant “delayed river,” was thus derived.

The “Big Stone Bridge” the unsuccessful thief, Lu Zhi, had mentioned was located right here.

It was currently in the middle of the night. There was not a single soul at the Hidden Dragon River. The four of them searched the whole Big Stone Bridge thoroughly for Lifespan-Reversal Talismans but to no avail.

“As expected, the other party isn’t foolish. They wouldn’t place two Lifespan-Reversal Talismans at the same place.”

~~~

The next morning, Captain Wei went to look for the chief constable, Fang Qingyun.

“Little Wei, what brings you here?”

“Shifu, have you noticed that the civilians of Yanjiang Commandery have been going to bed early and having trouble waking up in the morning?”

Fang Qingyun nodded. “That’s indeed the case. I think a possible reason is the increased cost of living amidst stagnant income in Yanjiang Commandery. Stressed about their livelihood, the people have to work hard in the day to earn money.”

Captain Wei rubbed his forehead in frustration, cautiously finding the appropriate words. “Shifu, I know that you’re eager for a promotion and have been reading socio-economic books recently to build a solid foundation. But have you considered that you might not be suited for development work?”

“Don’t beat about the bush, be it something you have to say or fart you have to release!”

“...It’s like this. Last night, a zealous civilian caught a thief red-handed. According to the thief’s confession, he had stumbled across a talisman that made people fall asleep, and it can make anyone sleepy within a radius of fifty meters.”

Captain Wei took out the talisman from a box with a paper strip seal[1] pasted outside.

The paper strip seal had a suppressing effect of a seal. He realized that despite the sleep-inducing talisman not affecting him, it worked extremely well on ordinary people—his fellow companions on the night shift had all fallen asleep. Therefore, he could only lock the talisman in a box.

“Do you recognize this thing?”

Fang Qingyun examined it for a moment, then shook his head, expressing that he also didn’t recognize it. “Commandery Governor Li is very knowledgeable. Perhaps he’ll know.”

When the two of them found Commandery Governor Li, the latter was currently buried in his work affairs. The two were very impressed by Commandery Governor Li. He was a Golden Core cultivator who had been in Yanjiang Commandery for twenty years, and throughout the years, Yanjiang Commandery had not changed in the slightest bit. However, every time a superior arrived in Yanjiang Commandery for inspection or Commandery Governor Li went to deliver a report to the higher-ups, the best side of Yanjiang Commandery would always be presented, as if the commandery had undergone some monumental change in these twenty years.

“Commandery Governor Li, I have something to report!” Fang Qingyun called out.

Commandery Governor Li placed his writing brush down and gestured for him to take a seat.

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Captain Wei truthfully reported what had transpired last night and took out the talisman for Commandery Governor Li to have a look.

Commandery Governor Li narrowed his eyes, slightly surprised. He seemed to have thought of something and fell into contemplation for a few minutes before saying, “If my memory serves me right, this is a Lifespan-Reversal Talisman? Thirty years ago, I was in charge of cracking down on the diabolic path in Poyang Commandery. During my exchanges with colleagues from other commanderies. Someone had mentioned this talisman and called it the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman. It is said to be able to absorb people’s lifespans and convert them into one’s cultivation. This is undoubtedly a method of the diabolic path.”

He continued in a solemn tone, “With the Spring Harvest Festival around the corner, many people from other commanderies will come pouring in, and that includes both ordinary people and cultivators. The Spring Harvest Festival is the icon of Yanjiang Commandery. Nothing is allowed to go wrong. You must apprehend these diabolic culprits who posted these talismans before the Spring Harvest Festival begins! These diabolic followers are lawless and have no regard for the imperial court!

“Chief Constable Fang, you have to pay special attention to this matter. If the Lifespan-Reversal Talisman is allowed to fully take form, the repercussions will be dire!”

He then suddenly changed his tone, “Of course, if you manage to capture the main culprit, that will be a great meritorious achievement, and I will report that to the higher-ups. If possible, you should aim for a breakthrough in your cultivation. That way, your promotion will be set in stone.”

“Understood!”

“There’s nothing else from me. You may leave. I have another meeting later.”

~~~

The next day, Lu Yang and the rest wanted to follow up on the clues to search for the Lifespan-Reversal Talismans’ locations. Before they could depart, however, Branch Leader Chu sent someone to summon Lu Yang over.

Lu Yang didn’t understand why Branch Leader Chu had only called for him. He silently put on his guard, finding the matter to be a little strange.

Branch Leader Chu was sitting on the jade chair, his hands supporting his head. His hoarse voice came from behind his mask. “I heard that you caught a thief last night and even found a yellow talisman capable of making people fall asleep?”

Lu Yang replied respectfully, “Yes, I suspect that the yellow talisman is one of our methods from the diabolic path, so I wanted to track down the person who drew the talisman, kill them, and master the art of drawing such talismans!”

Branch Leader Chu waved his hand. “Maintaining connections with the authorities on the surface is important, but it’s different this time around. The authorities will be taking this matter seriously and investing their resources in pursuing the investigation. Even a Golden Core cultivator will be involved. The truth will be uncovered soon. Don’t meddle in this further, lest you expose your identity and get yourself implicated.

“It’s just a talisman that makes people fall asleep. It’s not worth the risk.”

Lu Yang’s heart skipped a beat. It’s only morning, yet Branch Leader Chu has already learned about last night’s events. He even knows that a Golden Core cultivator will be involved. I didn’t even know that.

That can only mean one thing—the Yanjiang Branch has planted a spy within the authorities!

1. A strip of paper that indicates something is sealed or cordoned off. In Chinese dramas, you often see them pasted on the door or boxes confiscated by the authorities. ☜