No taboos

Chapter 556 The Appearance of Ancestor Han

"Sent by my fourth uncle?!"

Xu Yuan knew that after his fourth uncle "broke up" with Aunt Wang, he couldn't let go of her and would secretly send her things from time to time.

The furniture in Aunt Wang's house was actually made by Fourth Uncle.

But Dafu was hatched from an egg given by Fourth Uncle... and then he was asked to come and take Dafu away—it seems there was some kind of "arrangement" involved?
Xu Yuan originally thought that the person he couldn't understand the most, the one who liked to make far-reaching plans, was Grandpa Shen.

It turns out that Fourth Uncle was quite the hidden talent!

Aunt Wang had already noticed Dafu behind Xu Yuan, and smiled: "Dafu has always been different from the other geese since he was little. I knew he would be successful in the future!"

"Uh—" Xu Yuan subconsciously dragged out the sound, saying, "You're not going to reverse cause and effect, right? I came to ask you about Dafu, so that's why you said that?"

"Of course not," Aunt Wang said. "Dafu was different from the others even when he was still in the egg. Usually, everyone hatches from an egg and then grows up slowly, right?"

Xu Yuan: "Isn't Dafu one?"

"Of course not," Aunt Wang said with a smile. "Dafu, it grows inside the egg first, and then hatches..."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment before exclaiming, "You mean, Dafu's egg grew up first, and then hatched and came out at Dafu's current size?"

“Yes.” Aunt Wang held up her fist. “When it was first delivered, it was only this big.”

Then she opened her arms and hugged herself: "It finally grew this big before it broke through the eggshell and crawled out."

Xu Yuan scratched his head: "Then what does it eat?"

Aunt Wang slapped her forehead: "Huh? I hadn't thought of that before you mentioned it. Right, it couldn't eat anything back then, so how did it grow up?"

The two stared at each other.

Xu Yuan thought to himself: You're asking me?
"Hehe." Aunt Wang chuckled dryly, then suddenly her logic clicked: "That's why I said Dafu has always been different from others since he was little, he's bound to be successful when he grows up!"

Dafu stood to the side, raising his goose head high!
His eyes were filled with arrogance!

That's right, I've been smart since I was a child, and I'm destined for success when I grow up.

"You..." Xu Yuan was speechless, and waved his hand: "Never mind, I'll go back and ask my fourth uncle."

But Xu Yuan didn't go back immediately. Instead, he walked into the Bone and Flesh Forest: "What about those people from the Imperial City Guard? You didn't kill them all, did you?"

"I am a legitimate official in charge of water management for the imperial court. How could I easily take someone's life?"

Aunt Wang led him inside: "They're all hanging inside."

She suddenly realized something, and her expression changed instantly: "You mean, they really are from that Imperial City Guard, and that such an office really exists?"

"Yes," Xu Yuan explained, "This government office hasn't been established for very long..."

Xu Yuan deliberately downplayed the matter, omitting the fact that these were the emperor's true henchmen, lest he frighten Aunt Wang.

As he walked, Xu Yuan observed the enormous flesh-and-blood artifact.

Xu Yuan was indeed surprised to learn that Aunt Wang was a master craftsman.

This artifact crafted from flesh and blood was incomparable to the ones Xu Yuan had seen before.

But although Aunt Wang's item was huge and looked gloomy and terrifying from the outside, it was actually even more terrifying once you went inside...

Even ordinary cultivators would be so frightened that their legs would go weak.

However, if one has some understanding of craftsmanship, such as Xu Yuan, who has had a lot of contact with craftsmen, one can see that this crafted item strictly adheres to various principles of craftsmanship.

So although it looks terrifying and its power is frightening, the overall "weight" of the artifact is well controlled.

In other words, the user is able to "control" this crafted object and it will not easily cause strange changes.

The ones Xu Yuan had encountered before—such as Sun Shou, who liked to think he was clever—would often have their flesh and blood artifacts nibble off a piece from the user!

So Aunt Wang's flesh and blood artifact belongs to the type that... can be barely considered as having a strange appearance on the outside, but is actually magnificent and grand on the inside.

In this jungle of flesh and blood, a "fake accident scammer" has emerged.

In the mountains outside Qihetai Town, there is a group of "debt collectors" in a seemingly ordinary forest.

If anyone walks through the forest and dares to touch even a single leaf, the trees will haunt your dreams at night, whipping you with branches for seven days straight until you are terrified.

However, among these "debt collectors," there is often another type of "extortionist."

Even if you carefully avoid it, it will still touch you with its branches.

Once you're hooked, you can't get rid of them; their main tactic is extortion.

Xu Yuan encountered one back then.

And this "fraudster" has transformed into a tree of bones, with dozens of people hanging upside down beneath its branches made of tiny finger bones.

Everyone was bound by tendons and skin, and wrapped in flesh and blood.

It was Zhao Beichen and his group.

Zhao Beichen realized that since Xu Yuan was "unappreciative," he was very likely to secretly send someone to tip off the elders at the government office.

So he fed his mount medicine and hung up the calligraphy scroll, speeding up his journey and arriving at the Miaopo Village Office ahead of Lang Xiaoba.

But he never imagined that he would make a fool of himself.

If Lang Xiaoba had arrived first and informed them, Wang Laoshi would have known that they were indeed from the Imperial City Guard, legitimate government officials.

But they arrived first, and Wang Laoshi refused to believe them.

Wang Laoshi was trapped in this small township office, which was not only isolated from the world, but also cut off from information.

Unaware of the Emperor's decree, the Imperial City Guard was newly established.

So the two sides broke up after only a few words.

Zhao Beichen's skill level is quite high, and the Imperial City Guard also has some special crafts.

Forced to release his own flesh and blood artifact.

Wang Laoshi's work, crafted from flesh and blood, was extraordinary. Even though the "weight" was well controlled, Wang Laoshi's life force could only suppress this one piece of craftsmanship.

Therefore, apart from the few tricks he practiced casually on a regular basis, the only thing Wang Laoshi could truly use to fight was this sword.

He unleashes a powerful attack right from the start; if you can withstand that attack, Wang Laoshi will be helpless.

When they were first hung up, the Imperial City Guards were quite defiant, shouting and threatening. Wang Laoshi found them too noisy, so he sealed their mouths with his own flesh and blood.

But after being suspended for a long time, their heads throbbed with pain, and they lost the strength to shout.

Zhao Beichen naturally carried some means of transmitting messages.

When they were hoisted up by this flesh-and-blood artifact, Zhao Beichen released them—and they were intercepted by the flesh-and-blood artifact.

At this moment, everyone fell silent, but they were all secretly regretting it: they should have let Xu Yuan notify them first, then they wouldn't be in such a passive position, right?

But who would have thought that a little-known water official in a forgotten township office would have such great power?

Zhao Beichen couldn't help but think that when he brought Xu Yuan, this little-known law master, to Beidu, he never expected him to be so powerful!

Is it that Champa is a place that produces "unknown" but "powerful" people, or is it that Xu Yuan's circle of friends produces them?

Mao Qi was hanging so hard that his bones felt like they were about to fall apart, and he groaned in pain a few times.

Suddenly, Mao Qi's vision blurred.

Two figures appeared ahead.

Knowing that Wang Laoshi was the only one in the office, he couldn't help but cry out in anguish, "I'm afraid I can't hold on any longer..."

When the two figures approached, Mao Qi suddenly realized that there were indeed two people: one was Wang Laoshi, and the other was... Xu Yuan!
"Master Xu!"

"Master Xu!"

"Brother Xu!"

Mao Qi struggled to his feet: "You've finally arrived! Please tell this... senior that we are truly people of the imperial court, not imposters..."

Xu Yuan smiled wryly: "Aunt Wang, put them down."

Wang Laoshi agreed, and the white bone branches cascaded down, placing everyone from the Imperial City Guard on the ground. Then, the tendons loosened, and everyone regained their freedom.

These people, including Zhao Beichen, rested on the ground for a while before sitting up and rubbing their heads.

Xu Yuan stepped forward to help Zhao Beichen up and said, "Commander Zhao, this is all a misunderstanding."

Zhao Beichen remained silent, firstly because he was seething with anger, and secondly because he was losing face.

He felt that Xu Yuan was being unreasonable and refused to accept Xu Yuan's advice, but in the end, it was Xu Yuan who came to save everyone.

Suddenly, I remembered that back on the fast ship, I had reprimanded my men, saying, "There are always people more capable than you, and you shouldn't act arrogantly just because you're out of Beidu..."

As a result, I unknowingly made the same mistake.

So his face flushed red, and the anger in his heart dissipated.

"Never mind, it's our own fault," Zhao Beichen sighed.

Then he rallied his spirits and said, "Let's get down to business..."

Wang Laoshi then recounted the origin of Dafu's story once again.

Naturally, he mentioned again, "This child has been different from others since he was a child," and so on.

Dafu paced back and forth beside Xu Yuan with his pigeon-toed gait, his arrogant demeanor almost unbearable to watch.

This time, Zhao Beichen had learned his lesson and bowed to Xu Yuan, saying, "Lord Xu, we really should ask your fourth uncle again. Why don't you go back and inform him first?"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Alright, Commander Zhao, come back with me."

Don't cause any more trouble...

Moreover, Xu Yuan knew that Dafu was arranged by his fourth uncle, so he wanted to take Zhao Beichen home to visit.

Showing it to him is the same as showing it to the emperor.

Despite the arduous conditions under which the six criminals have endured all these years, they have always kept their promise and silently kept Ruan Tianye in check!
Whether it's useful or not, you have to cry when you need to.

Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Wang Laoshi pointed, and the enormous flesh-and-blood artifact creaked and quickly shrank back into the ground.

Before long, the area around the government office was cleared up.

Zhao Beichen's heart stirred, and he invited, "With your skills, it would be a waste to keep you in this small township office. Why not come to my Imperial City Division..."

Wang Laoshi, with a stern face, said, "I am the water supervisor of the Grand Canal Administration."

“This…” Zhao Beichen hesitated for a moment and then said nothing more.

He was thinking to himself that he should finish this errand first.

She said she was from the Grand Canal Administration, but it wasn't easy for other administrations to get people from the Grand Canal Administration, except for the Imperial City Administration.

When the time comes, a transfer order will be issued, and this master craftsman will become a valuable asset to our Imperial City Guard!

Zhao Beichen had a pretty good idea in mind: he would get this senior to his side and make him a deputy commander. With this powerful flesh and blood artifact, they could walk sideways wherever they went on official business!
Xu Yuan bid farewell to Aunt Wang and led Zhao Beichen and his group to Shanhe County.

Miaopo Village is not far from the county seat, and they traveled very fast, entering the county seat in less than half an hour.

Xu Yuan said politely to Zhao Beichen, "My family has some special circumstances. If there's anything inappropriate after we enter the alley, please bear with us." Zhao Beichen cupped his hands and said, "Brother Xu, rest assured, we will follow your instructions."

At this moment, everyone in the Imperial City Guard behaved themselves.

When Xu Yuan reached the alley entrance, he saw that Aunt Wang's folding basket shop was closed.

However, the timing is wrong, and I don't know if she has opened for business recently.

Xu Yuan planned to go home first, but when he got to the door, he found it was locked.

So they didn't go in, and instead went back to Uncle Mao's house.

But I could feel waves of yin energy surging inside.

Although the Yin energy did not seem to be surging, Zhao Beichen, Qi Baihu, and the others all changed their expressions slightly. They could feel that the Yin energy was very solid and its level was far beyond that of ordinary divine cultivators.

"Fourth Uncle—"

Xu Yuan called out from outside.

The courtyard door creaked open from the inside.

The one who opened the door was not a living person, but a ghost general.

This Yin general had a robust physique, resembling a martial arts practitioner, but he also had a proud rooster head.

The armor on his body was like individual bright feathers transformed into form.

When Zhao Beichen and the others saw this Yin general, their expressions changed again.

Uncle Mao's voice came from inside: "A-Yuan is back, come in quickly."

Uncle Mao is busy.

Holding a carpenter's chisel and carving knife, he was "processing" a grotesque wooden sculpture with four legs and eight arms.

When Zhao Beichen and the others saw the wood carving, they were surprised again!
This is not a wood carving at all; the entire "wood" is actually a substance formed from yin energy!

This is a sinister general!
Xu Yuan exclaimed with delight, "Fourth Uncle, you've improved your skills?"

Uncle Mao used to be a fourth-rate person, but now he's a third-rate person.

At this crucial moment, Uncle Mao didn't care that there were outsiders present and casually said, "I was just promoted not long ago. Please wait a moment, I'll get it done right away."

He continued carving and engraving on the "Yin Shuai" body, and after half an hour, a smile finally appeared on his wrinkled face: "It's done!"

The Yin General then moved, shook, and transformed into a stream of pitch-black Yin water, disappearing into the shadows beneath Uncle Mao's feet.

Uncle Mao put down his tools, turned to Xu Yuan and said, "We have a guest."

Xu Yuan then introduced him to someone.

Zhao Beichen's face was full of respect as he clasped his hands and said, "Zhao Beichen greets Senior."

Not long ago, he had some doubts: was it Champa that produced a lot of "unknown" but powerful people, or was it around Xu Yuan that produced a lot of such people?
Now we have the answer: It's because Xu Yuan is surrounded by them!

Uncle Mao quickly waved his hand: "You're too kind, I'm just a poor carpenter."

He brushed off imaginary sawdust from his clothes and called out to everyone, "Come on, let's go inside and talk."

He went to find a kettle to boil water for everyone, but Zhao Beichen dared not let him do that, so he quickly ordered, "Mao Qi!"

Mao Qi sprang into action, lunged forward, snatched the water bottle, and grinned broadly: "Hehehe, senior, let me handle these things."

Uncle Mao rubbed his hands, embarrassed: "You are guests..."

Xu Yuan pulled his fourth uncle aside: "Let them do it, let's talk."

"it is good."

Uncle Si's house was small, so Xu Yuan and Zhao Beichen followed him into the house, and Qi Baihu squeezed in as well—there was practically no room for a fifth person inside.

Looking at Zhao Beichen's brightly colored official robes, Uncle Mao said with embarrassment, "I have truly neglected you."

"No!" Zhao Beichen and Qi Baihu shook their heads together.

Then they sat side by side on two small wooden stools.

It felt very cramped, like a young child attentively listening to the teacher in a classroom.

Xu Yuan brought it up himself: "Fourth Uncle, did you arrange for Dafu to be given to me?"

Uncle Mao simply grunted in response.

"So what exactly is its origin?"

Uncle Mao just kept his head down and didn't answer.

Zhao Beichen and Qi Baihu are unknown.

Xu Yuan knew that this was because Uncle Mao didn't trust Zhao Beichen and his companion, but Uncle Mao was too embarrassed to point it out.

Xu Yuan: "You may say whatever you wish."

Mao Qi boiled the water and came in carrying a steaming kettle: "Please have some tea, everyone."

He reluctantly poured water for all four people, and really wanted to stay and get closer to this third-rate guy.

But there was really nowhere else to go, so I had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

Uncle Mao held a wooden teacup in his hand. No one knew what kind of wood the cup was made of. Uncle Mao's family didn't have any tea leaves at all. The tea that Mao Qi mentioned was actually just plain water, but when it was poured into the cup, it had a faint fragrance.

Uncle Mao saw that Zhao Beichen and Qi Baihu had both taken a sip before he said, "Can these two be trusted?"

Zhao Beichen and Qi Baihu looked at Lord Xu together.

Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but on the surface he remained calm: "I trust you."

Given Uncle Si's personality, asking such a direct question is tantamount to being prepared to break off relations.

In other words, Uncle Si was now very confident that he could take care of the two of them with a single move.

Given Uncle Si's incredibly steady nature—even if he were promoted to the third rank, he would still feel uneasy—he must have used some other "tricks."

Xu Yuan held the wooden teacup, but refused to drink a single drop.

Uncle Mao nodded and said in a low voice, "Your father gave it to me."

"My father? Xu Huanyang?" Xu Yuan asked in surprise.

Uncle Mao glanced at him speechlessly, thinking to himself, "How many fathers do you have?"

"Your father gave me a freight ticket before he died," Uncle Mao said. "But he said it was up to me to decide whether or not to give it to you."

"I... seeing that you've become a cultivator of destiny, I thought that since it was something your father left you, I'd entrust it to you."

Xu Yuan frowned: "Goods invoice?"

"Take that coupon, go to the goods street in Guiwu Mountain and find 'Gao Huo Han' to exchange it for that basket of goose eggs," Uncle Mao added. "But actually, before I got it, I didn't know what your father had left you."

When I got it, I was stunned. I didn't know how to hatch or raise them, so I... I gave it to your Aunt Wang.

Xu Yuan glanced at Zhao Beichen, whose expression was rather unpleasant.

Xu Yuan explained, "Guanghuo Street is the core area of ​​Guiwu Mountain. Those who can 'go out on the street' are the strongest evil spirits in the mountain."

The owner of 'Gao Huo Han' is Xian You Han Zu Ye, one of the Ninth Master and Fifteenth Father of Ghost Witch Mountain. It is said to be the oldest and most vengeful ghost in Ghost Witch Mountain.

Xu Yuan has thoroughly reviewed all the files related to Ghost Witch Mountain within the Exorcism Bureau.

Zhao Beichen remained silent. It seemed that Dafu's origins were straying further and further from the direction of his investigation.

After leaving Uncle Mao's house, Qi Baihu couldn't help but ask his commander, "Sir, are we going to Ghost Witch Mountain again?"

Zhao Beichen certainly didn't want to go either.

But the Emperor's mission must be explained.

He thought for a moment and said, "I need to find a way to get a ticket from Master Ruan Tian. I have to go to 'Gao Huo Han' and ask him about it."

His subordinates behind him remained silent.

The adults have already made their decision; they have no choice but to go, whether they want to or not.

Zhao Beichen clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Yuan: "Lord Xu, we're heading back to Champa. Would you like to come with us, or stay at home for another day?"

Apart from Uncle Mao, the other two, including Grandpa Shen, were not home; the gate was locked.

"I'll go back too."

Xu Yuan pondered the whole way, thinking that the great fortune his father had left him must also be related to Ruan Tianye's matter.

But even though Dafu is very extraordinary, what role can such a goose play in such a major event?

My father knew Mr. Wenqi and had an agreement with the great master Chan Jinye regarding "resentful fetal energy".

He then entrusted the things he wanted to keep to Master Xianyou Han's shop.

These two are both "masters" under Master Ruan Tian!
Especially the Venerable Han Zuye, who ranks second in Ghost Witch Mountain, second only to Venerable Ruan Tianye.

My father is so well hidden; he's so different from the "father" of the opera troupe leader in Hegong Lane that I used to know.

The image of "father" in Xu Yuan's memory has become distant and ethereal, leaving Xu Yuan somewhat confused.

Moreover, Xu Yuan is now curious: if Dafu is not a descendant of the crafted beasts left over from the "River-Suppressing Beast" project, then what is its origin?
Upon arriving in Champa, Zhao Beichen and his group boarded a ship directly at the dock and left.

When Xu Yuan returned to the yamen, Xiao Xianniang came out to greet him and bowed gracefully, saying, "Brother."

Xu Yuan glanced at her and immediately smiled: "You've mastered the basics?"

"Yes."

Banlan Gong walked out laughing: "Little Xu, what do you think of my apprentice?"

Xu Yuan gave a thumbs up: "First-rate talent! He will surely surpass his teacher in the future."

Banlan Gong was even happier: "Of course, my disciple is no ordinary person!"

The surrounding officers all envied him.

Who wouldn't want a second-rate master!

This little girl is truly blessed.

Originally just a lonely and miserable disaster victim, he was elevated by the adults and even managed to get on the good side of such a powerful master!

After the group entered the front hall, Xu Yuan temporarily put aside the matter of Dafu and asked, "Have any suspicious persons appeared at the prefectural government office in the past two days?"

Fu Jingyu nodded: "Yesterday evening, a traveling troupe of acrobats entered the city. Although they changed their faces several times, our brothers still recognized them. They took turns scouting outside the prefectural government office."

A glint of light flashed in Xu Yuan's eyes: They've arrived?
Fu Jingyu added, "I had Xiao Ba impersonate Lord Wei and stay in the prefectural government office."

He, his wife, and children have all been brought to our office.

Xu Yuan laughed, "You've all learned this trick of mine."

(End of this chapter)