Yin Yang Soul Searcher

Cheng Yanbing looked knowing. It seemed that this secret couldn't be told to others, so he wouldn't inquire further.

Han Xueshan cursed the bitch inwardly, "That smug look again!"

"Since there's no good way, I'll go back and try." Cheng Yanbing had just stepped out of the room when, as if remembering something, she quietly took out a few pills from her sleeve and slipped them into Bai Jueming's hand. Then she gave him a knowing smile.

"What is this?" Bai Jueming muttered to himself.

Cheng Yanbing didn't explain, but simply waved to Tang Weiwei and said, "Junior Sister, stop eating. Let's go back!"

"Oh," Tang Weiwei stuffed the last bite of pastry into her mouth and followed her senior brother away happily. Before leaving, she didn't forget to say goodbye to the two of them.

After seeing the two off, Bai Jueming returned to his room and, when Han Xueshan couldn't see him, secretly took out the pill and examined it. It was completely black and had a smooth texture.

What the hell?! Why are you giving me this? Isn't this an insult? Three small characters were engraved on the pill: "Spring***". Clearly, it was a drug for that purpose.

Even a dog wouldn't take it. Bai Jueming picked up the pill, about to smash it on the ground, but then thought better of it and decided to keep it. He didn't need it himself, but he could sell it on the black market for a couple of silver coins.

Bai Jueming then chuckled to himself. It seemed his clumsy lie hadn't fooled Cheng Yanbing; he still thought he'd... well, you know...

Thinking of this, Bai Jueming slowly shifted his gaze to Han Xueshan's face.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her delicate oval face was not as gentle as that of ordinary women. Her eyebrows had a touch of heroism, and her nose was high and straight with clean lines, like mountains and rivers, which added a touch of firmness and strength to her oval face.

Looking at her figure again, Bai Jueming silently withdrew his gaze and stopped looking. She was a beauty, but he was afraid that she would cause suffering for the child.

As the sun gradually set in the west, the setting sun sliced ​​through the clouds, casting an orange-red hue over the entire courtyard of the government office.

With no one to disturb him, Bai Jueming slept until it was time to get off work, feeling a sense of loneliness as if he had been abandoned by the world.

If you have nothing to do every day, this job isn't bad.

Bai Jueming changed into casual clothes and said goodbye to Han Xueshan.

Stepping onto the street outside, one sees a newly hung plaque at the entrance that reads "Zhengshan Hall." Previously, the plaque hadn't been hung because Li Zhengshan had just been promoted to hall master.

Bai Jueming walked along the bustling streets, feeling carefree, hoping her destination was the Aegean Sea.

I ran into Jia Qingshan around the corner. You dare show your face in front of me?!

The man before me was elegant and refined, dressed in snow-white robes. Holding a folding fan, he was none other than the aristocratic young master, Jia Qingshan. Beside him were four attendants dressed as servants.

He initially told me that he wanted to join the Yin-Yang Palace to prove the Jia family's innocence, and that he had no other choice but to come to me. However, after Shan Ge analyzed the situation, I realized that he had been used.

This involves a clash between two major powers; how could my insignificant words possibly resolve it?

Bai Jueming really wanted to grab him by the collar, punch him a couple of times, and ask him why he was using him. However, after seeing the four thugs beside him, he changed his mind.

I'll put up with you for now; there'll come a time when you're all alone.

Bai Jueming ignored him, changed direction, and continued walking home. All that was left for Jia Qingshan was his back.

"Hey, Brother Bai, Brother Bai, don't go!" Jia Qingshan followed behind him, reaching out to stop him from leaving.

Bai Jueming remained unmoved and quickened his pace. Jia Qingshan had no choice but to hurry forward, grab his arm, and say with a grin, "Brother Bai, Brother Bai, I've come here today specifically to invite you to dinner to apologize. Please do me the honor of joining me."

Inviting someone to dinner was certainly not Jia Qingshan's purpose; rather, he wanted to inquire with Bai Jueming about whether he could enter the Yin-Yang Palace.

She had been waiting at home for several days, and today she couldn't hold back any longer, so she pretended to bump into Bai Jueming on his way home.

However, judging from Bai Jueming's expression, he probably realized he had been used, which was unavoidable. He couldn't meet the sect leader, and he wasn't familiar with the other Onmyoji. He could only use Bai Jueming a little.

However, it seems that Bai Jueming has seen through his little tricks, and it looks like he will have to apologize in return.

"I wouldn't dare eat your food." Bai Jueming pulled his arm back and said impatiently, "What kind of image is this, two grown men pulling and tugging at each other in broad daylight? I, Bai, have no homosexual tendencies."

Pedestrians around them unconsciously moved away from the couple, looking at them with strange eyes, as if they were a young couple arguing.

After saying that, Bai Jueming continued walking forward. Was simply offering a meal as an apology enough? Jia Qingshan's offer was still too small.

Jia Qingshan stood there and sighed deeply, then continued to call out to Bai Jueming's retreating figure, "I have prepared some gifts for Brother Bai as an apology. Please do not refuse them."

Bai Jueming perked up his ears, and his steps slowed as he left.

Jia Qingshan keenly sensed this and secretly thought to himself that something was going to happen!

Then, after clearing his throat, he continued, "I have prepared some common items for Brother Bai as an apology. I hope Brother Bai will accept them with a smile."

Bai Jueming wanted to take another step, but his legs seemed to be rooted to the spot and wouldn't obey him no matter what.

Just one glance, just one glance... Bai Jueming was struggling with a strong inner conflict.

With a warm smile on his face, Jia Qingshan walked to Bai Jueming's side and whispered, "This is a gift I specially prepared for you, Brother Bai, as an apology. Please don't find it too tacky."

After saying that, she took a dark green purse from her waist and quietly handed it to Bai Jueming.

Bai Jueming gently weighed it in his hand, thinking to himself, "Good morning! It's quite heavy. How much silver is this?"

However, Bai Jueming still pushed the purse back with great willpower, his voice trembling as if filled with immense pain, and said through gritted teeth, "Take it back! I am not that kind of person."

Jia Qingshan understood immediately and discreetly opened the purse a crack. Bai Jueming quickly glanced at it; inside, as if by some magic, the purse radiated a golden hue, like waves of ripe wheat! And there was a stack of silver notes!

Young Master Jia carries silver when he goes out? That's a bit disrespectful.

It was a whole bag of gold and silver notes! Bai Jueming's breathing became heavy... and his body began to ache.

"These mundane things are to thank Brother Bai for gracing me with his presence and having dinner with me." Jia Qingshan's words were like a devil's whisper in my ear: "They cannot be considered a reward for Brother Bai speaking up for me."

Although the essence of the matter has not changed, if this is considered a reward, then it means that Bai Jueming, as an Yin-Yang Master, is helping the Jia family, which is a major taboo!

Bai Jueming's body began to tremble uncontrollably, and Jia Qingshan seized the opportunity to slip him a purse. Pretending to be nonchalant, he said, "I know a newly opened restaurant in the capital; their perch is incredibly delicious. Brother Bai, would you do me the honor of joining me for a try?"

Bai Jueming was completely stunned. What kind of cadre could withstand such a test? Of course, he chose to forgive him. Anyway, Brother Shan already knew...

Bai Jueming looked hesitant, and after careful consideration, said, "Then shall we try it?"

"Brother Bai is so straightforward!"

By this time, the sky had gradually darkened, and pedestrians and vendors on the road began to pack up their things one after another.

The deputy temple master, wearing a demon mask, was draped in a black cloak, and even with the mask on, his entire face was hidden under the hood.

At this moment, he stood at the entrance of the Craftsmen's Hall, a letter given to him by the Imperial Advisor hidden in his sleeve.

Following the imperial advisor's instructions, he disguised himself and quietly left the Yin-Yang Palace. No one discovered his presence along the way.

Why did the Imperial Advisor want him to leave the Yin-Yang Palace quietly? The Deputy Palace Master couldn't figure it out the whole way.

There were no pedestrians at the entrance of the Craftsmen's Hall at this time. The deputy hall master slowly approached the gate and stopped.

The vermilion gate was wide and heavy, with neat rows of golden door studs. Two majestic stone lions stood at the entrance, their eyes wide open, gazing ahead with an air of imposing authority.

As the deputy temple master approached, a blue light flashed in the eyes of one of the stone lions, and its pupils darted around twice as if it were a live lion. Moments later, the two large red-lacquered doors opened by themselves.

Without hesitation, the deputy hall master entered the gate and headed straight for the third-floor pavilion.

As they passed the second floor, they came across a room with its door wide open. Qiao Shou's eldest disciple, Cheng Yanbing, was studying Bai Jueming's method of rudimentary steelmaking by the alchemy furnace inside the room.

In a house next to Cheng Yanbing's, the windows were wide open, and wisps of black smoke billowed out. Tang Weiwei's cough came from inside: "Where did things go wrong again?"

The deputy hall master stood in front of the door on the third floor. The door opened by itself, and what came into the deputy hall master's eyes was a pill furnace that occupied a third of the room. It was golden in color and carved with dragons and phoenixes. The raging fire inside the pill furnace looked like it wanted to devour people.

After entering the room, the deputy hall master bowed to Qiao Shou and said, "Hall Master Qiao."

Qiao Shou, with his gray hair, sat down on the futon behind the alchemy furnace. His hands and feet were completely covered by a wide black robe, and a whisk was placed in the crook of his arm.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Shou first gave a faint "hmm." Then he asked, "What did he send you here for?"

"The Imperial Advisor sent me to deliver a message," the Deputy Hall Master replied succinctly, then took out a blank piece of paper from his sleeve.

"Just send anyone to deliver the letter, why make you come all the way here yourself?" Qiao Shou looked puzzled, then the whisk in his arm flew up on its own, holding the letter in the vice hall master's hand up to his eyes.

What appeared to be a blank sheet of paper to others became a dense collection of characters in Qiao Shou's eyes.

Qiao Shou looked at the contents of the paper, then gradually frowned. That person was incredibly audacious; he hadn't even left the capital after stealing the Imperial Preceptor's elixir.

Is he targeting me? He wants the deputy hall master to stay and help me? And I still have to test him by fighting him?

Qiao frowned, silently reading the letter's contents before letting out a deep sigh. He had initially wanted to unleash a torrent of abuse on that guy, yelling, "Who do you think you are, ordering me around like this?"

But then I thought, since the other party is targeting me...

After reading the letter, Qiao Shou flicked his whisk and tossed it into the alchemy furnace in front of him. The raging flames quickly consumed the letter, turning it to ashes.

Seeing this, the deputy hall master realized his mission was complete. He clasped his hands in a fist salute, preparing to leave. He was utterly bewildered; was it really over so easily?

Just as the deputy hall master was about to turn and leave, he heard Qiao Shou say unhurriedly, "Deputy Hall Master, what rank is your cultivation at now?"

The deputy hall master paused, standing still, and said as if reminiscing, "Third rank, it's been a very, very long time since I've been promoted." After saying that, he shook his head with a bitter expression.

"Don't worry, that guy will help you," Qiao Shou could only offer this reassurance, then changed the subject, saying, "That guy didn't just send you here to deliver a message; you'll stay at the Craftsmen's Hall for the next few days."

As expected, the Grand Preceptor had a deeper meaning in sending me the letter, but what was the purpose of having me stay in the Craftsmen's Hall?

After thinking for a moment, the deputy hall master couldn't help but ask, "How could I possibly know why?"

"Of course." Qiao Shou nodded and explained, "The array master from the pill case has appeared. The Imperial Advisor suspects his target is the Craftsmen's Hall. I want you to stay here and help me."

"The array master in the pill case..." the deputy hall master muttered to himself, then looked up, his expression behind the mask showing confusion: "Hall Master Qiao, could you explain in more detail?"

Who is that formation master? Why is he targeting the Craftsmen's Hall? What help can I offer here? The deputy hall master wanted to ask all these questions at once, but due to the difference in rank, neither Hall Master Qiao nor the Imperial Preceptor took the initiative to answer, naturally for reasons they didn't want him to know.

Qiao smiled and shook his head: "This matter can't be explained in just a few words. You stay here, and you'll understand in time."

"That array master's target was the Craftsmen's Hall, and that was me. In this world, how many people wouldn't covet the many unique magical treasures within the Craftsmen's Hall?"

"But he has at least a third-rank expert by his side helping him. I'm afraid I can't handle him alone."

"Even you can't handle this?" The deputy hall master's expression behind the mask was one of utter shock. Who was this person before him?

The current emperor's brother-in-law, a former Taoist disciple, is now the most powerful weapon refiner in the Great Xia Dynasty. What kind of enemy can't he handle? And why would he need my help?

Qiao smiled, seemingly unconcerned, and said, "If it were me back then, I could easily deal with them. But with my current strength... I'm afraid I'm no match for the two of them."

After speaking, Qiao's hands, which had been hidden under his black robe, twitched slightly.

The deputy hall master nodded solemnly; it seemed this was going to be a fierce battle! Battles between those of the third rank and above were incredibly destructive and should not be underestimated.