Yin Yang Soul Searcher

"I'm a little hungry," Cheng Yanbing said, taking the steamed bun and unwrapping the oil paper.

"Senior brother, the checkup is complete. I've treated any injuries. We can go now." At that moment, a woman's voice rang out from the pharmacy entrance, as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song.

Then, a young woman of about sixteen or seventeen skipped out. She had a smile on her lips, delicate features, and a natural beauty that shone like the morning sun reflecting on snow, without any makeup. Her large eyes sparkled. She wore her hair in the most fashionable double buns. She wore a light blue, fitted dress that accentuated her curvaceous figure.

Bai Jueming looked in the direction of the sound and was also taken aback when he saw the beautiful appearance of the young woman, who was only sixteen years old.

If this girl were in a TV drama, she'd definitely be a princess from a wealthy family. Her figure and looks are a perfect match for me in this life!

Cheng Yanbing, without even looking up, ate her steamed bun and mumbled, "Then let's go."

The girl stepped forward and snatched the remaining bun from Cheng Yanbing. She took a bite, then glanced at the meat filling inside: "Remember to buy red bean buns next time."

Cheng Yanbing pointed to Bai Jueming, who was standing to the side: "He bought it, you can talk to him."

The girl then looked at Bai Jueming, chewing on a steamed bun as she said, "Thank you for the steamed bun. Why did you buy steamed buns for my senior brother?"

Bai Jueming flashed what she considered a perfect smile and said, "I saw Brother Cheng sitting here so early, so I guess you haven't had breakfast yet. I just bought a few steamed buns for you to have a good meal. I didn't know your junior sister was here. I'll bring you red bean buns next time. Or, junior sister, wait for me, I'll go buy two more."

"Oh, no need, you're too kind. I was just saying." Although the girl said this, she still showed a cute smile.

Cheng Yanbing finished her steamed bun, stood up, patted her bottom, and said, "Let's go, Junior Sister." Turning to Bai Jueming, she said, "Brother Bai, since we're on holiday, why don't we take a walk?"

Bai Jueming was secretly delighted: "That's exactly what I was thinking." This was a perfect opportunity to make his presence felt by the two of them more often.

"Brother Bai," Cheng Yanbing spoke first, "After returning yesterday, I consulted my master. This formation is called the Heavenly Net Illusion Formation. There are at most a handful of people in the Great Xia Dynasty who can set up this formation, and the other countries combined can also do so. Other countries would treat it like a treasure, but our dynasty is more casual about it. That's because my master in the Craftsmen's Hall of our dynasty knows this formation, and so does my junior brother, that fool who's always studying stones."

Do you have a grudge against your junior brother? Why do you keep calling him an idiot, or does he really really exist? Bai Jueming thought to himself, "I'm just an outsider, so I shouldn't judge him."

Bai Jueming frowned in thought: "Brother Cheng, do you mean... that the person who wants to frame the Grand Preceptor is one of the Great Xia's own people? Should the Yin-Yang Palace investigate in that direction?"

"I didn't think that much about it," Cheng Yanbing shook his head. "Investigating the case is your Yin Yang Palace's business, but this matter started because of me. I'll tell you what I heard from my master, and I hope it will be helpful to you."

This doesn't help me at all; I'm not at that level. Brother Shan has already reported this to the Deputy Hall Master. With their knowledge, they definitely know who else besides the Craftsmen's Hall would set up such a formation. The mastermind behind this is so powerful; telling a nobody like me is a bit of a waste. But it's a kind gesture, so I should thank them.

Bai Jueming said indignantly, "Thank you for informing me, Brother Cheng. This news is very important to us. As long as the Yin Yang Palace catches the mastermind, I will definitely teach him a lesson and vent my anger for you, Brother Cheng."

Just kidding. Whether I can catch the mastermind is another matter, but even if I do, I wouldn't dare punish them. I'm just an Onmyoji who's been training for less than two and a half years. In front of a master of that level, I'm just as weak as a weakling; I'd be lucky not to be easily crushed.

"Senior brother," the girl following behind the two said, and the two stopped and turned around.

The girl blinked her big eyes and said while eating her steamed bun, "I checked the pharmacy just now and didn't find any trace of array stones being placed there. Is it possible for someone to set up an array without array stones?"

"Is that so?" Cheng Yanbing seemed to have thought of something. He hesitated for a moment, then finally said with a serious expression, "Let's go back and ask Master."

If a formation can be set up without array stones, how powerful must the mastermind be? Damn, cases in this fantasy world are so difficult... I've never even heard of all the bizarre and outlandish methods. But let the higher-ups deal with this kind of trouble. At least I'm alive.

And judging from Cheng Yanbing's expression, it seems like he knows something? Can't he say it in front of me?

"Oh, okay." The girl finished the last bun, and then seemed to remember something: "Oh right, senior brother, you haven't bought the pastries from Tangxinzhai that you promised me." Then she skipped ahead and led the way, her light blue skirt fluttering.

"You're still not full after eating so many buns?" Cheng Yanbing sighed and rubbed his forehead, then said, "Brother Bai, I'll take my leave now."

"Alright, Brother Cheng, take care."

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Bai Jueming couldn't help but sigh. He resolved to make Cheng Yanbing his friend more often in the future.

He strolled along, buying a few more steamed buns. Following the original owner's memories, he walked to the western part of the outer city street. There was a shop there, but the door was tightly closed. Some of the red paint on the door was peeling off. Behind the shop was a courtyard where the original owner lived.

Upon seeing the shop in front of him, Bai Jueming's mind was flooded with memories.

This is a shop passed down from the original owner's grandfather's generation. Bai Jueming's grandfather used to practice medicine in the army. After retiring, he opened a pharmacy.

The skill was later passed down to Bai Jueming's father, who also practiced medicine in the army. However, after starting a family, he stopped serving in the army and instead ran the pharmacy. Eight years ago, the imperial court led troops to attack Beichen, and Bai Jueming's father, as a medic, couldn't escape. He ended up going to the front lines with the army and died in Beichen, his body never even being found.

Bai Jueming's mother passed away after giving birth to her younger sister, Bai Wantang.

When they received news of their father's death, the eldest sister was only fourteen years old. She took the government's pension and raised her younger siblings alone. Because their father's craft couldn't be passed down, and with her sister still young, the shop gradually fell into disrepair.

Forgetting his memories, Bai Jueming, carrying the steamed buns, turned into a side alley. This was the original owner's house; "knock knock," Bai Jueming raised his hand and knocked on the wooden door.

"Who is it?" A pleasant female voice came from inside the courtyard.