CH 66

Yin Ci looked at that eye.

In that eye, there was only confusion. As soon as it saw the light, it sluggishly turned and stared straight at Yin Ci. Whether it was due to the stimulation of light or residual consciousness, the eye in the gap slowly became moist, and tears shimmered on the surface of the deformed eyeball.

Unfortunately, the flesh statue had no mouth, and the shrine remained silent.

The eye contact was only for a moment, but it felt endless to Yin Ci.

As a popular belief in the Yun Dynasty, the Imperial Celestial Shrine was considered a highly sacred place. The greatest disrespect within the shrine was the act of occasional theft disguised as reverence—stealing a bit of gold or scattering money and then immediately leaving.

Even the most unruly thief wouldn’t dare to directly violate the statue of the god, fearing retribution.

In fact, the Yun Dynasty didn’t exclude other beliefs. Sects like the Jianchen Temple, devoted to Buddhism, coexisted peacefully with the outside world. Yin Ci had sought answers within the divine path before, but there were thousands of various deities and Buddhas. He wasn’t insane enough to dissect each one of them.

Especially a statue that was in a bustling city.

The shrines were bustling with people, and the statues were imbued with the atmosphere of the mortal world. Who could have imagined that it would be related to such strange events?

[If I hadn’t called you here, this ‘place’ would have been beyond your reach in your lifetime.]

For centuries, he had stopped at numerous shrines, never considering investigating the statues themselves. It seemed that this was just another “beyond reach” place right under his nose.

Yin Ci touched the seam and felt a mixture of emotions.

Who could have expected that the “immortal” he had searched for a hundred years would be found in the form of a slightly smelly flesh idol?

The only “peer” who had outlived the lifespan of a mortal.

Beneath the statue, a row of cushions sat peacefully. The offerings were still fresh, and the incense ashes were still warm. Did the residents of this prosperous city truly know what they were worshiping?

Someone deliberately placed a flesh idol here, but for what purpose?

Since the establishment of the Great Yun Empire, the followers of the Imperial Celestial had been increasing. Thousands of shrines were built all over the country, but how many flesh idols were mixed among them?

The process of creating living human idols in the Yuanxian Village wasn’t fast. How many “Yuanxian Villages” were hidden throughout the Great Yun Empire?

After a long absence, Yin Ci felt his blood turning cold, as if he had touched a spider’s web in the darkness. He couldn’t figure out whether he was the prey, the spider, or simply a strand of wandering spider silk.

Noticing Yin Ci’s lack of reaction, Shi Jingzhi picked up the package and squeezed his way to the back of the statue.

He first saw Yin Ci’s complicated expression, and then he saw the dry eye in the seam. The eye was fixedly staring at Yin Ci, refusing to look away.

Familiarity bred ease. This time, Shi Jingzhi didn’t tremble.

He picked up the fragment from Yin Ci’s hand and mercilessly embedded it back into the seam. Once he confirmed it was sealed, he used the yang fire to seal the cracks, leaving only faint irregular marks that were difficult to notice even upon closer inspection.

The man kept a straight face throughout, showing no signs of pity or hesitation.

“A’Ci, let’s go.”

Without waiting for Yin Ci’s response, Shi Jingzhi hooked his waist and led him away from the shrine.

Yin Ci closed his eyes, allowing himself to be led away.

Outside the shrine, the moon was faintly visible in the sky.

It was early spring, and the severe cold had subsided. It wasn’t yet late at night, so the streets were still lively. Many people had set up stalls, selling various trinkets and snacks. Others had finished work and carried peculiar tools or goods.

The two of them were dressed plainly, and even with their hoods on, they didn’t stand out among the pedestrians.

Although Shi Jingzhi noticed Yin Ci’s abnormality, they both tacitly refrained from further questioning. He simply took Yin Ci to a secluded alley, where he melted a golden candlestick into gold beads, quietly waiting for Yin Ci to regain his composure.

Shi Jingzhi now had full control over yang fire. He gently held the melted gold in his palm, gradually forming small round beads.

In this manner, Shi Jingzhi melted each bead carefully, stealing a glance at Yin Ci. He deliberately emitted an aura of “I also have things to attend to”, behaving calmly and steadily without any sense of urgency.

The shocking discovery left Yin Ci emotionally torn, so this considerate silence felt like a welcome relief. He glanced at the silent Shi Jingzhi, not pretending that nothing had happened but continuing to contemplate on his own.

Shi Jingzhi continued his task with his head down, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

By the time he had sorted out his emotions, Shi Jingzhi had melted the entire golden candlestick into small beads, leaving no trace of its original form.

Seeing Yin Ci regain some vitality, Shi Jingzhi shouldered the package. “Are you done thinking?”

“Let’s go back.” Yin Ci’s tone returned to normal. “Now that the stove is free, I’ll go back and make sweet and sour fish for Shizun.”

However, Shi Jingzhi shook his head and grabbed Yin Ci’s wrist, pulling him back onto the street from the dark alley.

“We’re leaving for the north tomorrow, and who knows when we’ll have a chance to visit a city like this again. A’Ci, let’s wander around before going back.”

Seeing Yin Ci furrowed his brow slightly, Shi Jingzhi added another sentence.

“Your hands are freezing. At least have a hot meal first; this is Master’s orders.” His words brooked no disagreement, but his tone was remarkably gentle.

Yin Ci rubbed his forehead, thinking that this person was just acting on a whim. “Fine, I’ll go with you.”

Shi Jingzhi’s smile grew even brighter. He put his hood back on and pulled Yin Ci to a wonton stall.

The semi-open wonton stall was located on a street corner, filled with people from all walks of life. The orange glow of fire, mingled with the white steam, created a sense of warmth in the cold wind. Several robust men, who had drunk their fill, were loudly arguing by the stall. The white vapor from their words mixed with the steam from the hot food caused most of the customers’ faces to appear hazy.

Although this place was in a bustling city, it had a certain hidden quality, and the stall was unusually clean.

Shi Jingzhi’s eyes were as discerning as ever.

Even if the money he spent came from the offering box in the shrine, he showed no psychological burden. Shi Jingzhi ordered two large bowls of wontons and asked the owner to add extra meat and egg toppings before returning to their seats.

Shi Jingzhi relaxed his demeanor, and coupled with the bustling atmosphere, the cold night felt lively and vibrant.

As Yin Ci continued to watch, his gaze softened slightly.

The eye in the seam faded away from his mind, replaced by a sense of warmth. Sitting among the ordinary stall, the coldness in his bones slowly dissipated, as if an invisible hand had pulled him back to the mortal world.

The wontons arrived, filling the air with a delightful aroma.

The small wontons had thin skin and little filling, just enough to be eaten in one bite. They had a simple and warm flavor. Hot food on a winter night always had a special charm that put one’s mind at ease.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t immediately start eating. He lifted the gauze in front of his hood, and his eyes were filled with a smile as he looked at Yin Ci.

…He hadn’t successfully placated the other person; instead, he found himself being swayed by this young man. Yin Ci was momentarily speechless, unsure of what emotions were stirring within him.

Shi Jingzhi knew well that his own origins were mysterious, and his formidable strength was evident. Yet, he carried himself with unyielding confidence. Sitting comfortably in front of his cheap master, he emanated a benevolent goodwill without appearing subservient, giving off an air of self-assuredness bordering on arrogance.

It must be said that this “arrogance” had initially made Yin Ci wary, but now it seemed somewhat endearing to him.

“A’Ci, if you keep staring at me, the wontons will get cold.”

Shi Jingzhi took a sip of hot soup, sighing deeply.

“Take your time eating, and have your fill. We still have a lot to do later… As for the money, find a place where beggars gather and leave it there. Gold is too conspicuous; we’ll scatter it on our way back to the inn.”

“Why? Is Shizun afraid of reprisal from the Imperial Celestial?” Yin Ci asked.

“Fear? I’ve even hacked that thing up before.” Shi Jingzhi scoffed.

Yin Ci: “…”

He understood now. His master feared only what he couldn’t see or touch. No matter how unreasonable something was, once this person knew it could be chopped, he no longer felt any fear.

Yin Ci suspected that this “unreasonable thing” might even include himself.

Disrespecting ghosts and gods, disrespecting immortals, disrespecting elders, and disrespecting the heavens. Yin Ci always felt that his cheap master shouldn’t be called Shi Jingzhi but should learn from Yan Budu and be called “Shi Bujing*” instead, which would be more appropriate.

*Disrespectful.

“But the money is donated by the common people to the shrine. If we spend it without authorization, won’t it betray those devout believers? Eventually, the money will end up in the pockets of the shrine or the Immortal Assembly. So, I’m just helping the Imperial Celestial by using this money to assist the needy, and in return, I only ask for the reward of two bowls of wontons.”

Shi Jingzhi spoke with righteous confidence.

“These are wontons acquired from the hands of gods and immortals, so eat more, A’Ci.”

Yin Ci had no choice but to stuff a large bowl of wontons into his stomach. When he put down his chopsticks, he even had a slight sweat on his nose.

“A’Ci, actually, I understand. You have been following me without complaints or regrets until now, and this investigation is probably closely related to this flesh idol.”

After Yin Ci finished eating, Shi Jingzhi spoke lightly and cheerfully.

“Playing a role is exhausting; I understand that very well. A’Ci, from now on, you don’t have to deliberately conceal yourself in front of me. Even if I want to figure you out and you don’t want to tell me, I won’t force you.”

His smile became even more pleasant.

“Just as we agreed before, this is a grand competition.”

Yin Ci chuckled. “Shizun, are you still thinking about that ‘exposing each other’s secrets’ competition?”

“Of course.”

Shi Jingzhi reached out and adjusted Yin Ci’s hood.

“I wish you were stronger than I imagined—to understand everything about me sooner… To find me and come to my side.”

“If that’s the case, why not just tell me everything?”

“If A’Ci only had strong martial arts skills and no connections, it’s better not to get involved in this matter. Honestly, I really don’t want to let go of your assistance, and I really don’t want to involve you in something you’re powerless to handle.”

Shi Jingzhi smiled and shook his head, and for the first time, that relaxed demeanor dimmed slightly.

“Let’s go. Let’s each place a copper coin. We’ll meet outside the city gate after three incense sticks.”

“That works.”

After parting ways, Yin Ci didn’t immediately hide the copper coins but headed straight to the postal station.

Before he entered the Buddhist Heart Formation on the mountain, he had requested an investigation into Shi Jingzhi. According to the initial agreement, the messenger pigeons would deliver the letters to Yongsheng. Even if Shi Jingzhi didn’t come voluntarily, he would secretly come anyway.

And now was a convenient time.

Unfortunately, just as Shi Jingzhi had said, his background wasn’t so easy to investigate. Combining several letters, Yin Ci only obtained one clue.

That old man, Sun Huaijin, had seven descendants with the surname “Shi” who were still alive. They all seemed extremely ordinary, and while some were well-off, they couldn’t be considered wealthy. Those with modest backgrounds were just average, leading simple and honest lives, as if they were born and died as farmers.

No matter how he looked at it, none of them would have a peculiar relative like Shi Jingzhi.

However, there was still a discovery to be made—one of the records of a deceased person piqued Yin Ci’s curiosity.

Sun Huaijin had a granddaughter named Shi Chongyu.

Shi Chongyu’s father was a somewhat famous merchant, and he had two sons and two daughters with Sun Huaijin’s daughter. Shi Chongyu was born with a beautiful face and possessed both literary and martial talents, making her quite outstanding. However, her father was conservative and wanted to marry her off early.

Shi Chongyu was stubborn and unwilling to accept her fate. She directly severed ties with her family and embarked on her own journey in the martial world.

She made quite a name for herself on that journey.

Shi Chongyu had a fiery temperament and excelled in spearplay, earning her the nickname “Broken Jade Spear”. Despite her young age, she had gained some fame and was eventually taken in as a disciple by Taiheng. However, the mountains and rivers were vast. People in the martial world came and went. After actively participating as the “Broken Jade Spear” for about five or six years, she disappeared without a trace.

She was self-taught and spent too much time outside to be considered a top disciple of Taiheng. In a world where talented individuals emerged one after another, no one cared about her disappearance. The only rumor left behind by Shi Chongyu in the martial world was that she had “died of an illness in her early twenties”.

And that rumor was more than twenty years ago.

Yin Ci closed the letter and burned it in the postal station’s brazier.

Based on Sun Huaijin’s bloodline, Shi Chongyu was the most likely person related to Shi Jingzhi. Since they would be passing through Taiheng on this journey, this clue was worth investigating.

He had to figure out the twenty-four-year gap between the “Little Mute” and his “cheap master”.

…Not to mention that Shi Jingzhi hoped he would “find him”.

Even if Shi Jingzhi wanted to retreat, Yin Ci would tear through the haze of the years and go to that person’s side.

The author has something to say:

Fox Shi has learned to genuinely treat people well, delivering a critical hit, while Demonic Lord Yin continues to soften his heart √