No taboos

Chapter 473 Scumbag Goose
The armor plates possessed some kind of insidious technique that subtly took effect, causing Xu Yuan to lower his guard.

Moreover, this kind of trickery is of a very high level, or there may be other reasons that caused "No Taboos" to be delayed for a long time before it was activated.

After Xu Yuan used his "Fate Gazing" ability to see the evil spirits of the fake village and the spies hiding among the weasels, he stopped looking at them to avoid being discovered.

However, Xu Yuan also used his senses to secretly observe the spies.

Among the "subordinates" of the fake village, Xu Yuan had seen Black Crow, withered trees, and villagers wielding axes.

The villagers holding axes came out of the houses.

If we broaden our speculation about the fake village... there would be similar villagers in every house!

The puppet village has far too many subordinates.

This "weasel" is the one that ate the rice.

It transformed into a skeletal monster, taller than a person and made of skin and bones.

Xu Yuan couldn't tell what trickery was used to transform into the shape of a weasel.

But after a moment's thought, Xu Yuan decided not to alert the enemy.

Firstly, the River Supervisor has not yet investigated the situation of the ghost soldiers from Southern Jiaozhi crossing the border.

It is not advisable to act rashly at this time.

Secondly, Xu Yuan had already made up his mind: wait until dusk when the fake village appeared in the river, and seize the opportunity to find out what was going on.

Whether it's in the river or at night, a fake village is bound to be extremely unlucky.

Only the period at dusk is relatively easy to deal with.

This "opportunity" is short-lived. If we expose the traitor now and startle the evil spirits of the fake village, what if he doesn't come out at dusk?
But this spy also shows that the fake village did indeed leave some "arrangements" in Pingquan Village.

It wasn't just about cleaning up the villagers' messed-up homes.

Xu Yuan decided not to bring Jia Zongdao inside.

However, Jia Zongdao was unaware of what had happened and continued to follow Lord Xu, filled with anticipation to enter the village and find out what was going on.

Jia Zongdao now has a strong feeling of "sacrificing himself".

The incident started because of him. Last night, a fierce battle ensued, and Lord Xu and Uncle Xi were both injured.

Unfortunately, I made no contribution whatsoever.

Jia Zongdao is now eager to "contribute" something.

Just as Lord Xu was about to enter the village, he suddenly twisted his waist and nimbly turned back.

It caught everyone present completely off guard.

Among this large pack of weasels, several females, including Weasel Thirty-Seven and Weasel Seventy-Six, along with "Sister One Hundred and Fifty-One," all had their eyes light up at the same time.
That waist strength is truly remarkable, it makes me, the mouse, unable to stop my imagination running wild...

“There’s nothing much to see in the village anymore.” Xu Yuan pointed at Huang Thirty-Seven and said, “I have decided to trust those I employ and not employ those I don’t trust.”

Since Huang Thirty-Seven and the others said there were no further abnormalities in the village, then there were no abnormalities!

Huang Thirty-Seven was pleasantly surprised; he never expected to regain the adults' trust!
So he straightened his chest with all his might.

Jia Zongdao was somewhat confused, but whatever Lord Xu said, he agreed: "What you say makes sense."

Wei Jinyuan couldn't help but scratch his cheek: To go into the village or not to go into the village, that is the question.

But since yesterday afternoon, when you started preparing to search the fake village, you've gone back and forth several times!
He said he would go in, but at the last minute he didn't.

Are you, Xu Yuan, too fickle, or... are you just teasing us?
But Wei Jinyuan could only keep these complaints to himself; he dared not voice them now.

It is said that one learns from one's mistakes, and Wei Jinyuan has learned his lesson after suffering several losses.

Therefore, I will never speak up easily.

Xu Yuan then said to Huang Thirty-Seven, "You have rendered meritorious service this time. I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing."

As he spoke, he rummaged through his waist pouch and then took out two crafts, which he bestowed upon Huang Thirty-Seven and Huang Ninety-Four respectively.

The two weasels were overjoyed. They held the gift in their front paws, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, sir!"

The other weasels were green with envy.

Xu Yuan gave him only two low-grade craftsmen's items: a short sword and a dagger.

After their second transformation, these weasels barely reached the level of an eighth-rate thief.

They were evenly matched, and neither was willing to concede to the other.

Despite having Lord Xu backing them up, these weasels have all submitted to Huang Thirty-Seven and Huang Ninety-Four.

But even after returning to the mountain, they still won't be convinced.

But things are different when Huang Thirty-Seven and Huang Ninety-Four have "weapons".

In this weasel family, hierarchy and order will truly be established.

Xu Yuan then gave them two more items, which will cause Huang Thirty-Seven and Huang Ninety-Four to continue their infighting and competition.

They must be evenly matched and both need Lord Xu's support.

That's why they would rush to do things for Lord Xu.

Xu Yuan couldn't remember which battle he had captured these two artifacts, and they were of almost no use to him.

However, giving two weasels would have a great effect.

"Get up, all of you." Xu Yuan waved his hand. "Take your people back with you. If I summon you in the future, appear immediately!"

"I obey, little one!"

The two weasels led their tribe away.

As they headed towards Xiaoyu Mountain, after walking only a few hundred feet, the weasels clearly split into two groups, led by Huang Thirty-Seven and Huang Ninety-Four respectively.

Huang Thirty-Seven held the short sword given to him by Lord Xu, waving it around and showing it off all the way.

It felt that it was the "head of the family" chosen by Master Xu.

Although Lord Xu did not say it explicitly, his short sword was clearly longer than Huang Jiushisi's dagger!

"An inch longer, an inch stronger"—that's what Lord Xu meant!
In addition, Huang Thirty-Seven has another piece of evidence: when Lord Xu bestowed the short sword, he secretly slipped him a note.

The note instructed him to secretly monitor a member of his tribe.

Based on Lord Xu's brief description, Huang Thirty-Seven recognized Huang Two Hundred.

Lord Xu said that we don't need to care what Huang Erbai does, just secretly inform him of his whereabouts.

The pack of weasels scattered as soon as they entered the mountains and disappeared without a trace.

Huang Thirty-Seven then personally kept an eye on Huang Two Hundred.

……

After several hours, the river supervisor finally found out the information that Lord Xu wanted to know.

Seven or eight years ago, a "ghost army" passed through Lucheng in the south, cleansing the corrupt world.

The Bureau of Purification also had an office in Lucheng.

The head of the law enforcement in Lucheng back then was surnamed Li.

This matter is recorded in official documents, but the document is short and very brief.

It always gives people the feeling that the truth is being hidden.

At that time, Ma Tianshou was not yet the commander of the Southern Jiaozhi region.

In his official document, Li Zhanglu described how the great evil spirits of Lucheng Zhuojian had been plotting for a long time and had gathered hundreds of thousands of evil spirits in Zhuojian.

That night, the number of evil spirits in Lucheng increased dramatically.

Moreover, according to the interrogation of the evil spirits who were captured, the situation will get worse in the coming days.

Li Zhanglu personally went to the mortuary to negotiate with the evil spirits of the underworld.

However, he was ambushed by a powerful evil spirit and nearly died!

Because the incident happened suddenly and time was of the essence, the Lucheng Office did not have time to consult with the Jiaozhi South Office before deciding to clean up the turbid area.

It did indeed avert a major disaster.

The Southern District Office sent an investigation team afterward.

Half a month later, the investigation team reached an agreement with the newly appointed City God of Lucheng, and the City God returned the gold and silver and went back to the underworld.

Less than three months later, Li Zhanglu was transferred away from Lucheng.

Even the commander of the Southern Bureau at the time was transferred back to Zhengzhou six months later.

Ma Tianshou took over as commander of the Southern Bureau.

Xu Yuan speculated: Since the evil spirits in the fake village were not from the three lower divisions of Zhou Jue Yin Tian Palace, they must have been the underworld messengers who came to the mortal realm that time.

However, certain hidden secrets in between transformed them into evil spirits.

Xu Yuan stroked his chin and gave the River Supervisor a new instruction: Go to the Champa office to report the news.

If they really are the underworld messengers from Lucheng, then they are probably plotting against Champa.

Their primary target should be Lucheng.

The River Supervisor immediately went to the Champa government office.

Fu Jingyu dared not delay and reported to Ma Tianshou as quickly as possible.

They also sent someone ahead to go south and inform the Lucheng government.

After leaving the Champa government office, the River Supervisor immediately boarded a boat and headed to Lucheng Wharf.

The canal in Lucheng is a tributary, and according to the division of responsibilities of the canal administration, the Lucheng wharf is under the jurisdiction of the Zhancheng wharf.

This made things easier for Xu Yuan to do.

However, given these arrangements, the earliest we can expect a response is tomorrow.

Around noon, a person arrived, looking travel-worn.

He carried a pile of pots and pans on his back.

"Sir!" Liu Hu said with a grin, and immediately began to make arrangements upon arrival: "I've been rushing all the way here, and I've finally made it. What would you like for lunch? I'll make it right away."

Xu Yuan smiled.

Upon further examination using the method of divination, it was found that Liu Hu's "Noble Bamboo" destiny had been fully formed.

"Is everything settled at home?"

Liu Hu laid out the pots and pans, picked up a few large stones and built a stove: "I brought my wife and children to Champa."

"It's just that my parents are reluctant to leave their hometown and refuse to move here with me."

"But my two brothers live in the county, so they can take care of me."

“I sold off most of my properties in the county, leaving only one shop for my two brothers. I also made it clear that the rent from this shop would be used to support my parents.”

“Champa is not far from our Pingli County, so I can go back to visit it anytime.”

After their last parting, Liu Hu was recruited by Lord Xu.

In fact, after only hesitating for half a day, I decided to follow Lord Xu to pursue my future.

He was indeed a prominent figure in the county, capable of living a comfortable life in his later years and leaving his children an inheritance.

However, Pingli County is located between Luocheng and Champa.

He frequented Luocheng; he wasn't some ignorant local.

With more exposure, ambition tends to swell.

Moreover, after much deliberation, Liu Hu concluded that Lord Xu was a capable man.

They immediately decided to seek refuge with him.

The reason I wasted these past few days was because I was dealing with the county's industries.

He brought his family to Luocheng, and after finding the Zhancheng government office, Lang Xiaoba told him that the adults had gone to Pingquan Village.

Liu Hu left his family behind and rushed over.

Now that you've decided to pursue your dreams, give it your all!

With the adults out in the wild, this is the perfect opportunity for me to showcase my culinary skills.

But Liu Hu's behavior left Geng Qi, Zhong Die, and the others looking at each other in bewilderment.

Lord Xu, do you need to bring a cook with you when you go out to handle a case?

Isn't that a bit too extravagant?

Wei Jinyuan and the others knew that Xu Yuan had recruited Liu Hu, but they did not know that Liu Hu possessed a special destiny.

Therefore, they did not value a minor county official at all.

Naturally, they couldn't understand Xu Yuan's recruitment.

They felt that Liu Hu was not a talent, and Xu Yuan had a strong and well-equipped army under his command, so there was no need for him to condescend to personally recruit Liu Hu.

Just for Liu Hu's cooking skills?
That's a bit too much of a craving for food.

Xu Yuan instructed Di Youzhi: "Take some men and hunt some wild game nearby."

Di Youzhi then went.

They returned with their prey not long after.

Liu Hu chuckled, rolled up his sleeves, and washed his hands. "Please sit down, sir. It will be ready soon." As soon as the aroma wafted from the pot, the expressions on the faces of Wei Jinyuan and his group, as well as Zhong Die and the others, changed.

After eating dry rations for two days, the hot aroma was especially tempting.

Half an hour later, everyone sat together, their chopsticks flying like swords—and everyone had changed from "questioning Lord Xu" to "acknowledging Lord Xu".

Next, I want to "become Lord Xu".

Miss Jinxi was initially quite reserved.

After all, she was a young lady from a respectable family, and also quite shy.

But she soon discovered that Zhong Die had the same taste as her, and her favorite dishes were being besieged by Zhong Die!
If we don't hurry, Zhongdie will eat us all!

So Miss Jinxi stopped being reserved and quickly stuffed it into her mouth, making her little cheeks bulge out.

"Hehehe!" Liu Hu laughed happily on the sidelines, seeing that everyone liked it.

Miss Jinxi and Wei Jinyuan both regretted it: Why didn't I think of that?

When you leave home, you should bring a cook with you.

It's not like we don't have the means.

From the northern capital to the southern border of Jiaozhi, they endured hardships and slept outdoors all the way, truly suffering without any real hardship.

Zhong Die's idea was to go back and team up with her senior brother to persuade their teacher to create a puppet that could cook!

At this point, no one questioned whether Lord Xu was indulging in excessive gluttony.

They wouldn't look down on Liu Hu or think he wasn't worth recruiting.

Liu Hu prepared a large portion, and everyone was full except for Nan Zhenchuan, who cooked all the remaining food into a large pot and ate it all up.

"It's so fragrant!"

After finishing their meal, Xu Yuan instructed, "Rest for a while, then we'll head to the fake village."

A weasel poked its head out from the bushes not far away, twitched its nose, and looked annoyed: "I think I'm late."

After finishing his meal, Nan Zhenchuan began to refine his Gu body.

Uncle Xi watched from the side, occasionally offering a word or two of advice.

Nan Zhenchuan looked down on Huang Thirty-Seven.

So what if you come early? It's not like we'll feed you.

Don't you even know who you are?
Xu Yuan beckoned to Huang Thirty-Seven, and the weasel bowed and stepped forward with a fawning smile: "Sir, I have done everything you asked."

Where did it go?

"It went to the canal ahead and sneaked into the river. I waited by the river for a long time, but it didn't come out. I was afraid it had drowned?"

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Pi Long did not see Huang Erbai.

In other words, although Huang Erbai entered the canal, he did not return to the fake village.

Which canal?

Huang Thirty-Seven pointed to the distance: "It's over there. There's a small hill in front. Go around it and you'll see it."

"lead the way."

After passing the mound, which was more than ten feet high, about half a mile away, the river water rushed out a shallow beach behind the mound.

A dozen or so long-legged waterbirds with white feathers were catching fish on the riverbank.

Huang Thirty-Seven saw the birds start to drool, but he held back.

"right here."

Pilong is currently immobile and may be detected by the fake village.

Searching for the spy in the river will be difficult.

Huang Thirty-Seven suddenly noticed Lord Xu staring at him, and immediately trembled, stammering, "My lord, I... I'm not a good swimmer..."

Xu Yuan went back and discussed it with everyone.

Only then did everyone realize that Xu Yuan had suddenly stopped going into the village because there was a spy from a fake village hidden among the weasels.

Uncle Xi then said, "I can give it a try."

He could hold his breath for a long time thanks to his Gu body.

Moreover, he was a fourth-rate person, so when he encountered ordinary evil spirits in the river, they couldn't bite him.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, senior."

Wei Jinyuan appeared listless.

Uncle Xi felt strange: You always want to make a name for yourself, and now that we finally have a chance to do so, why do you still look unhappy?

Having suffered a series of setbacks, Wei Jinyuan had lost all hope.

He felt that everything had gone wrong ever since he met Xu Yuan.

This time it seems like Uncle Xi is going to make a contribution, but Wei Jinyuan feels that it will be like before, Uncle Xi takes action but it's useless, and in the end, it will be Lord Xu who has to turn the tide.

All of it has benefited that Xu guy!
Everyone arrived at the riverbank, and Uncle Xi walked into the river step by step.

Wei Jinyuan suddenly said, "Lord Xu, let Uncle Xi hold one end of your rope. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, Uncle Xi, just pull the rope three times and we'll find a way to save you."

Uncle Xi: ...

I'm just a nobody, do you really have so little faith in me?
However, it's not easy to refute what one's own young master says.

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense."

After releasing the animal sinew rope, Xu Yuan, to save face for Uncle Xi, said, "Just in case, Uncle Xi, you should keep the rope with you."

The animal sinew rope reached out and, without a word, wrapped around Uncle Xi's wrist.

Then he walked into the river, and the water went over his head, so no one could see him anymore.

Everyone was waiting by the river when Xu Yuan turned around and saw Dafu flirting with the white-feathered water birds.

Dafu doesn't eat fish, but he's very good at catching them.

After all, catching these ordinary fish is much easier than catching evil spirits.

Dafu stretched out its neck and caught one in its mouth, then casually tossed it to a water bird next to it.

The waterbirds ate with relish.

In the woods on a small hill not far away, a flock of geese was calling.

It's as if they're calling Dafu a scumbag.

Xu Yuan silently turned his head away, pretending that he hadn't seen or heard anything.

After all, it's my own child. Even if it does something wrong... it's still my child!
The animal sinew rope grew longer and longer, until in Xu Yuan's hands it became only as thick as a hairpin.

Xu Yuan estimated that Uncle Xi had already gone twenty zhang into the river.

The animal sinew rope continued to get thinner.

When it reaches the thickness of a hair, it stops changing.

Uncle Xi has been gone for the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

Suddenly, ripples appeared in the middle of the river, and a head popped out.

Uncle Xi took a breath, gestured to the people on the riverbank that everything was fine, and then sank back down.

Then, another incense stick's time passed, and this time Uncle Xi persisted for longer and did not come out.

From the shallow waters by the river, came the cheerful cawing of Dafu, along with the calls of water birds.

The flock of geese has already flown out of the woods and is circling overhead.

Xu Yuan suddenly felt a sense of danger and abruptly shifted his position—

Several clumps of bird droppings fell from the sky.

It crashed right where Xu Yuan had just been standing!

Zhou Leizi flew into a rage: "These hairy beasts!"

He cursed and went to his men to ask for bows and arrows.

"Ugh--"

Xu Yuan let out a long sigh and stopped Zhou Leizi.

Our child was at fault first.

What can I do if people scold me, their old father?

"Don't bother with them."

As Xu Yuan was talking to Zhou Leizi, he suddenly felt the animal sinew rope in his hand being tugged three times in quick succession!

Xu Yuan's expression changed, and he quickly retracted the beast sinew rope.

The sound of water in the river was loud.

A waterline sped rapidly toward the shore.

Once you reach the shallow water area, you can see Uncle Xi's figure.

Although no injuries could be seen on his body, Uncle Xi seemed to have lost consciousness.

Wei Jinyuan shouted, "Just as I thought!"

Everyone looked at him in surprise: What do you mean?
Wei Jinyuan forcefully defended himself: "My method includes a predictive technique. Before Uncle Xi went into the river, I had a bad feeling."

No one had time to pay attention to him. Xu Yuan retrieved the animal sinew rope, and Uncle Xi was also dragged ashore.

Upon closer inspection, Uncle Xi's eyes were tightly closed, and his face was ashen.

"They've been poisoned!"

Everyone quickly looked for wounds on his body.

Sure enough, there was a pinhead-sized wound on my leg.

The wound was swollen to the thickness of an finger, and the entire calf was stiff.

Wei Jinyuan shouted from the side, "Antidote pills! Antidote pills!"

Xu Yuan glanced at the clever man and then released his antidote pill.

However, after the antidote was rolled around on Uncle Xi's wound twice, there was no improvement whatsoever.

Wei Jinyuan was somewhat incredulous. After a moment of bewilderment, he clutched his chest, writhing in pain: "Uncle Xi, Uncle Xi, you..."

"I can't die!"

Xu Yuan said something in an annoyed tone.

Wei Jinyuan truly believed that even the antidote pills from a fifth-rate alchemist were ineffective, and that Uncle Xi, who had watched him grow up and taken care of him for many years, was likely to perish.

As a result, Xu Yuan's words stopped his river of sorrow.

"Ok?"

Xu Yuan took back his antidote pill.

Even alchemists have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Lord Xu is not good at detoxification at all.

Moreover, Uncle Xi is only a fourth-rate person. For him to be poisoned to the point of being incapacitated, the poison must be extremely potent!

But Wei Jinyuan insisted on shouting about "antidote pills" from the side, so Lord Xu had no choice but to let him out to try.

If Xu Yuan doesn't show him the results and directly tells him what to do, this young nobleman from Beidu will definitely start nagging and becoming suspicious again.

"Dafu! Get your ass over here!"

Dafu was having a great time playing with the group of beautiful waterbirds when he was suddenly startled by his father's roar, which made his neck, which was as stiff as a stick, twitch.

It cawed a few times to the water birds, then trotted back to Xu Yuan's side.

Xu Yuan pointed to Uncle Xi's wound: "Detoxify."

Dafu was reluctant, but Xu Yuan's eyes were unfriendly.

Dafu was confused: I haven't done anything to offend him recently, have I?
Fine, there are so many people here, let's give him face.

Dafu spat on Uncle Xi's wound.

Xu Yuan quickly rubbed it open.

Everyone saw with their own eyes that the swelling around the wound had subsided considerably.

Moreover, black blood began to flow from the wound.

"It can actually detoxify?"

Miss Jinxi smiled and gently patted Dafu's head: "Dafu is really amazing."

Dafu became even more proud after receiving the praise.

Xu Yuan, however, was staring at the water birds when a thought suddenly struck him: "Could you ask your new friend to help me find a weasel in the river?"

(End of this chapter)