Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 647 - Chapter 647 Chapter 33 Taixu Luojing Instrument

Chapter 647: Chapter 33 Taixu Luojing Instrument Chapter 647: Chapter 33 Taixu Luojing Instrument Yang Zheng nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll look into Xue Wenhai’s case thoroughly.”

“Good, there’s another thing, Jiang Sihai has a goddaughter who is a natural-born Heavenly Yi Noble, favored by heaven, unstoppable. Only a Sanqi Noble spontaneously appearing in the world has the hope of restraining her. I know that Mr. Yang has many capable people around him, but when facing a Heavenly Yi Noble, they might not have an advantage.”

Li Yan was moved both in his eyes and heart upon hearing this; he had witnessed a Heavenly Yi Noble himself, but he had never heard of a Sanqi Noble.

Yang Zheng took the opportunity to ask, “So where do we find this Sanqi Noble?”

Mr. Wu shook his head, “Among all the Four Pillars Divine Fiend, the Sanqi Noble is the most special, unlike the other auspicious gods and fierce fiends. Destiny is predetermined in mysterious ways, and ever since I was young, I’ve known the twelve volumes of ‘Heavenly Marrow Life-Continuation Decree’ by heart, and with one glance, could almost certainly tell the outcome, combined with one’s birth date and facial features, hardly ever failing. However, a Sanqi Noble is different; besides being born spontaneously and having outstanding qualities, there is no fixed destiny in their life, and each Sanqi Noble’s temperament and abilities are completely different. It’s truly like searching for a needle in a haystack. It is also because a Sanqi Noble’s fate is hard to determine that there is a chance to overcome a Heavenly Yi Noble born to dominate.”

These words sank into the ears of everyone present, each feeling differently.

Yang Zheng didn’t ask further, only saying, “In any case, about your son’s death and the matter with Xue Wenhai, we will do our utmost.”

Yongji Building.

Chen Lang examined himself in the mirror, decked out in a large overcoat with the collar turned up high, and with sunglasses covering half his face and a white mask, no one could recognize him at a glance.

He nodded to himself, pulling a suitcase as he left the office, pressing the down arrow for the elevator, waiting anxiously.

Ding~

The elevator doors parted, revealing Yang Zheng’s face as he looked down at his watch, only looking up as the doors opened.

Chen Lang shuddered from deep within and, acting on instinct while facing Yang Zheng’s gaze, he entered the elevator and casually pressed the button for the first floor.

“…”

About ten seconds passed, and the elevator doors closed without any signs that Yang Zheng intended to leave. He just stared straight at Chen Lang, the atmosphere growing a bit eerie.

The elevator quickly descended, but time felt unusually long.

Ding~

As the doors opened, Chen Lang pulled his suitcase out, his steps seemingly steady but actually brisk as he darted out of the elevator, yet his back was still touched by someone.

“Chairman Chen.”

Yang Zheng couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

——————————–

“Yes, we had agreed that as long as Mr. Yang could break the Feng Shui setup of the three buildings, I would hand over the Taixu Monk’s Luojing Instrument to you. But don’t forget our initial agreement was not to incur any bloodshed. So how did it turn out?”

Chen Lang sat at his desk, speaking with conviction.

“The two security team leaders you hired to stabilize the Feng Shui’s Life Fiend, they only suffered sudden cardiac arrest and lost consciousness. They’re out of danger now — where did I cause any ‘bloodshed’?”

On the other side, Yang Zheng sipped the red tea his female assistant had brewed for him.

“What about this, then? How do you explain this?”

Chen Lang pulled out a newspaper, pointing to the bright color news photo: “Pearl Tower apprehends organ trafficking criminal, several police officers dead!”

“It’s only right for the police to catch criminals! What does that have to do with our Feng Shui bet? So many died in Pearl Tower just to arrest Ding Jiale, the suspect in the Pugang Road body stash case. Does Chairman Chen have any connection to him?”

“Of course not.”

Chen Lang let out a shrill scream.

“There you have it,” Yang Zheng narrowed his eyes, “Chairman Chen, you surely don’t think you can just find a place to hide and default on your debts, do you? The Taixu Monk’s compass is just a legend, but the luck-enhancing event is your life’s work.”

Chen Lang’s face turned ashen.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Yang Zheng took out a bank cashier’s check and handed it to the other man, “This amount of money is enough for you to retire early. Consider it as me buying your compass, I’ve done my benevolent duty.”

Chen Lang swallowed, hesitated as he picked up the check, his fingers rubbing across the series of zeroes before he reluctantly nodded his head.

“Good, a bet is a bet.”

Chen Lang instructed his female assistant to open the sliding rod suitcase, took out a red cloth-wrapped object, unwrapped it, and there was the dirty-looking compass.

Yang Zheng played with it for a while, and the information of the compass appeared before his eyes.

[Taixu Compass]: Comprises twenty-eight layers both inside and out, including the Three Harmonies Five Elements Plate, Pre-heaven Bagua Plate, Twenty-four Heavenly Stars Plate, and the Seventy-two Earth-crossing Dragons, among others. This new-style compass, created by the Taixu Monk in conjunction with past generations of Feng Shui experts, is one of a kind in the world and possesses incredible power. However, the compass has been contaminated with an excessive amount of Earthly Fiendish Qi, making it no longer precise in measurements.

Note: Only Feng Shui Masters with more than 90% specialization in Feng Shui Skills have the potential to disregard the interference of Earthly Fiendish Qi and locate the True Dragon’s Earth Vein. The higher the Feng Shui Skill specialization, the greater the chance.

“I have another question, Chairman Chen, how old are you this year? Who is your master?”

Chen Lang pursed his lips, “Fifty-five. My master is the Feng Shui leader of the Xiang Sect Yang Family, Mr. Yang Jueyuan.”

Yang Zheng nodded slightly and tested, “Over the years, has Chairman Chen gained any unique insights into Xiang Sect Feng Shui? Like the lost secret techniques of the Yang family, or any unprecedented experiences?”

Chen Lang frowned deeply, “Mr. Yang, I am inferior in skill and have nothing to say, but there’s no need for you to say such words to humiliate me, right?”

Yang Zheng had his answer, smiled and said, “Chairman Chen misunderstands, I absolutely do not mean that.” He stood up and bowed slightly, “I’ll take my leave.”

——————————–

“Alas, to be honest, I’ve never had such a leisurely time since I entered Yan Fu,” said Cha Xiaodao as she picked up a sesame shrimp roll and put it in her mouth, “Being a companion of Human Master Zhao Jianzhong, I thought there would be many exciting dangers. Who knew…”

“Be content, based on past data, it’s hard to define the level of danger in such special events. It’s mandatory for a representative to lead the team. Events that include Human Master Zhao Jianzhong have a 100% survival rate, meaning that as long as he leads, no one has ever died. Next is Zhan Yuejin; he has only failed a few times. The lowest survival rate is Su Ling; with her leading the execution team in special events, the survival rate is less than 10%. She has been reviewed seriously twice because of this and later was essentially stripped of her leadership qualification.”

“How do you know this?”

asked Cha Xiaodao.

“It’s recorded in the Mother Crown of the Thunder Pool, privilege of the second seat,”

Li Yan wiped his mouth, and a movie ticket stuck halfway out of his pocket, labeled “A Chinese Ghost Story,” but the rest was illegible.

“Leisure has its benefits. I’ve never experienced a Hong Kong movie theater from the ’90s. This is the perfect chance to see one.”

“Oh, and that child-killing enemy Qian Wu mentioned, is it you?”

“Unless his son was Chen Zhengcong, but I killed Chen Zhengcong in his presence, and they were fighting fiercely. Other than that, I haven’t killed anyone else.”

The two were chatting idly when a television news report suddenly caught Li Yan’s attention.

“Yesterday in the early morning, a severe fire broke out in the residence of Jin Longhai, the chairman of the Boqing Charitable Foundation. Jin Longhai and his wife perished in the fire, and their two children are currently in urgent rescue…”

Li Yan looked up, and the screen suddenly changed, flicking to another channel decorated with golden walls, pink letters, bright lights, and dancing–a handsome male voice came from the TV.

“New women of the ’90s, together forging a new journey in Hong Kong.”

“The 1990 Miss Hong Kong Pageant finals are now starting!”

Li Yan opened his mouth, wanting to ask the owner to change the channel back, but seeing the enthusiasm of all the diners in the room, he ultimately didn’t have the heart to. Suddenly, his phone in his pocket rang. Looking down, Li Yan saw there was no name, only a few people knew his number besides those from Zhongxing Baode.

“Hello?”

“Comrade Li, is that you, Comrade Li?”

Li Yan recognized the voice, Jin Longyang, the second son of Jin Boqing. He was breathing heavily, speaking in gasps.

“Save me, Comrade Li, I’ll pay whatever you ask, someone is trying to harm me. It’s Jin Longyang, we met a few days ago, do you remember me?”

“Calm down, Mr. Jin, where are you now? Let’s meet and talk.”

Li Yan’s calm voice seemed to soothe the panicked Jin Longyang considerably.

“I’m at Cap Mountain, by the country park. Oh yes! There’s a pavilion here. I’ll be waiting for you in the pavilion, you must come, Comrade Li.”

“Don’t worry, I’m on my way.”

Li Yan hung up and said to Cha Xiaodao, “Didn’t you say you were free? Come with me.”

Cha Xiaodao wiped her mouth: “What’s up?”

“I’ll tell you on the way.”

After settling the bill, they asked the owner of the cafe for a map and hastily set off.

…

“Ding Jiale. 26 years old, Hongkonger, his father died in a car accident before he was born, his mother had a history of psychiatric illness; when he was nine, during an episode, his mother poured scalding oil on him and chopped him with a kitchen knife causing severe injuries. Later, his mother was admitted to Castle Peak Hospital and soon committed suicide. Ding Jiale was taken in by a welfare home where, a year later, he displayed signs of mental disturbance and severe violent tendencies. He grew up in a free treatment facility until he was twenty when the facility shut down. At the scene in Pearl Tower, besides the frozen corpses, a large amount of yellow paper, candles, ingots, and other religious paraphernalia were found. The police suspect that Ding Jiale has severe delusional disorder and mental illness…”

Ding Jiale was tied to a restraint bed, barely able to move except for his eyelids. There were no serious injuries on his body, just several large needle marks on his exposed arms — a result of the heavy sedatives administered by the hospital.

It’s hard to imagine that the arrest of such a weakened young man would result in over ten serious injuries among the heavily armed Hong Kong police officers.

The door suddenly opened, and the glaring sunlight hit his eyelids. Stirred by the light, Ding Jiale opened his eyes.

A middle-aged doctor with a balding head and a haggard face walked in, carrying a briefcase. He lifted Ding Jiale’s eyelids, shone a flashlight, and then coughed, “Mr. Ding Jiale, I’m a psychologist appointed by the Hong Kong police force to conduct a psychological assessment on you. Please cooperate.”

After speaking, he gave the nurse a look, and understanding, she removed the gag covering Ding Jiale’s mouth.

Wenle, feeling a bit more relaxed, licked his lips and laughed nervously.

The doctor took out a stack of photos with various vague black shapes on them. Pointing to one, he asked, “What do you see?”

Wenle just stared at him with a piercing gaze.

The doctor pursed his lips, leaned close to Wenle’s ear, and whispered, “After you were transferred to the psychiatric hospital, Boss Xue had the chance to visit you. Don’t worry, you’ll be alright.”

Wenle’s gaze shifted slightly.

The doctor sat up straight, placed the stack of photos in front of Wenle again; they were black circles: “What do you see?”

“…”

Wenle was silent for a while before he said hoarsely, “Egg tarts.”

——————————–

“Hello, I’m looking for Detective Li Yaoguang. Could you tell me which ward he’s in?”

Carrying a fruit basket, Qian Wu asked with a beaming smile.

“Please wait a moment, uh… go left on the third floor, the first room is his.”

“Thank you.”

After thanking the staff, Qian Wu turned to head upstairs, but before he could round the corner, arguing voices echoed in the hallway.

“The brothers are injured like this, and Sir Li, a man in his forties, might not survive this ordeal. So that son of a bitch says he’s mentally ill and that exempts him from guilt? If I say I’m mentally ill, can I rob a bank?”

“Keep it down–do you want to make things even more chaotic? Right now, what matters is Sir Li’s safety. Ding Jiale has a history of mental illness spanning over a decade; his testimony doesn’t count. But Wutou Qing isn’t so lucky. All we need is to find Wutou Qing, and we still have a chance.”

The door to the ward opened, and doctors, just having removed their masks, were immediately surrounded by a group of people.

“Detective Li’s condition remains very grim today. You all had better prepare yourselves emotionally. Are any family members here? Come with me to sign some documents.”

“Xiaoxuan, I’ll go with you.”

That was followed by comforting voices, muffled crying, and the sound of footsteps.

Qian Wu waited a bit longer before stepping out and heading straight to the ward, but before he could enter, he was stopped by a guard officer.

“Old man, have you walked into the wrong room?”

Qian Wu looked up somewhat dazedly: “Ah, Sir, isn’t this Detective Li’s ward? I’m from the Ruyi Building Community Committee. Detective Li and I are old neighbors; I’m here on behalf of our neighbors to visit him.”

“But our chief is still unconscious. How about this–you leave the fruit with me, and later I can have it sent in for you?”

“I’ve come all this way; if I don’t even see him, I won’t be able to explain it to the neighbors. How about this: I’ll stay just a short while, then I’ll leave after putting down the things.”

The officer seemed troubled and, assessing Qian Wu’s silver hair, reluctantly nodded: “Then leave the fruit and come out as quickly as possible. The doctor said the chief needs rest, it would be best not to visit for too long.”

“Certainly, certainly.”

Qian Wu nodded and entered the ward. Detective Li Yaoguang lay on the bed, his face pallid, wearing a breathing mask, with the heartbeat curve on the monitor barely fluctuating.

Qian Wu placed the fruit basket on the bedside, sat next to Li Yaoguang, and gently grasped his hand. A dazzling golden compass emerged from beneath his feet, and at the same time, a scarce compass also appeared beneath Li Yaoguang, fragmented, as if it might extinguish at any moment.

“When a person dies, his life destiny fades. Unless there is the Myriad Assembly of Humanity’s Prime, which can lock the life pattern in the corpse for one’s use. Your fate contains the Yuan Chen Fiend, born in the Jiazi year with difficulties, and opposed in the Jiawu year. Naturally attracting trouble, like a tree that seeks calm but is thrashed by relentless winds. In office, you’re ostracized by others, risking life and death without upward mobility; in the wild, your life drifts, lonely and unsupported. Yet the Yuan Chen Fiend never dies young. Had you not provoked Xue Wenhai, you should have met a peaceful end…”

Qian Wu’s compass grew more radiant under his feet, gradually merging with Li Yaoguang’s Life Fiend compass.

“I will turn the Yuan Chen Fiend in your fate into a Heavenly Yi Noble, with the auspicious deity of my Taiji Noble helping. Maybe that will aid you through this crisis… ”

Beads of murky sweat emerged from Qian Wu’s nose, and the already gaunt flesh on his face sank in even more.

About two minutes later, Qian Wu walked out of the ward, somewhat tired, and smiled at the guarding officer: “I’ll come to see him again in a little while.”

No sooner had he stepped away than the female officer with a ponytail, who had accompanied the doctor to sign documents, and Li Yaoguang’s daughter Li Xiaoxuan returned.

The ponytailed female officer glanced at Qian Wu’s retreating figure and questioned the guarding officer: “He just came out of Sir Li’s ward, didn’t he?”

“Yes, he said he was Sir Li’s neighbor, here on behalf of the Ruyi Building Community Committee to visit Sir Li.”

Li Xiaoxuan was stunned: “We don’t live in Ruyi Building; we live in the upper village.”

Hearing this, the ponytailed female officer hastily pushed open the door and approached Li Yaoguang’s ward. Seeing Li Yaoguang’s heartbeat steady, she felt relieved. At that moment, Li Yaoguang’s fingers actually moved, and the curve on the heart monitor became more intense until his eyes opened.