Fish Scales From Human Bones

Following the dark path down the secret chamber, Hua Qiuyuan eventually found an iron door. Faint sounds could be heard from the other side. Cautiously feeling around the door's edges, he discovered a small window at the top.

Holding his breath, Hua Qiuyuan quietly approached the small window, peering inside. The figure within seemed familiar, but with their back turned, he couldn't be certain.

Inside, Shentu Zhajia heard the noise and turned around.

"Master!" Hua Qiuyuan clearly saw the person imprisoned in the room—it was Shentu Zhajia.

"Qiuyuan? How did you find this place?" Shentu Zhajia was surprised, recognizing the voice from outside.

"Ever since Master returned from seclusion, your behavior and actions have been markedly different. You also started wearing a mask and forbade anyone from serving you in the bedchamber. I found this suspicious. After discovering clues in the room recently, I came to investigate. I never expected to find you here." Hua Qiuyuan explained.

"Has anyone seen you come in?" Shentu Zhajia asked, knowing he could trust Hua Qiuyuan, his loyal confidant.

"No one has seen me. Master, I will get you out of here." Hua Qiuyuan was about to break open the iron door when he heard voices approaching.

"Greetings, Demon King."

"Qiuyuan, you are no match for him. Leave now, and we will plan my rescue later." Shentu Zhajia instructed, having heard the voices as well.

"Yes, Master." Hua Qiuyuan swiftly and silently departed.

Upon entering the bedchamber, Li Minghan sensed that someone had been there but did not notice Hua Qiuyuan hidden above on the ceiling beams.

"Demon King." A ghost servant carrying fresh clothing entered.

"Did anyone come here?" Li Minghan asked.

"Lord Demon King, we attempted to clean earlier, but Commander Hua drove us out. We only did a minimal cleanup of the broken pieces before leaving." The ghost servant reported.

"Understood. You may go." Li Minghan dismissed him.

Feeling fatigued, Li Minghan discarded his cloak over a screen and moved behind it. Slowly, he removed his mask, revealing his true face, which Hua Qiuyuan could now clearly see from his hiding place.

"It's him." Hua Qiuyuan recognized Li Minghan, having seen him before when he frequently visited the Demon King's palace. Suspecting that the behavior changes after the retreat were related to Li Minghan, Hua Qiuyuan had his suspicions confirmed.

"Master, the War God Qingyuan from The Liao Yin Immortal Realm seeks an audience." A ghost servant announced from outside.

"I understand." Li Minghan put his mask back on and exited.

Only after he left did Hua Qiuyuan descend and swiftly depart.

In the bustling market of The Flatland, Hua Ruoying and Qingping were enjoying their shopping spree.

"This, this, and that—I want them all. Send them to Lord Nan's residence." Hua Ruoying unhesitatingly selected various rare items.

"Sister Ruoying, we're staying at someone else's place. Buying so many things and having them pay isn't very appropriate." Qingping said nervously, seeing Hua Ruoying's unrestrained shopping.

"He asked me to stay. Besides, I didn't bring my poison-making supplies, and since he doesn't have them, I have to buy them myself. What's the problem?" Hua Ruoying replied dismissively.

"But still..." Qingping tried to argue.

"Oh, stop worrying. He's not even home these days. As long as we..." Hua Ruoying began but was cut off by a familiar voice behind them.

"As long as what?" Nan's cool voice interrupted.

In a private room at the Pingyuan Inn...

Nan ordered a table full of good wine and food, and Hua Ruoying indulged heartily.

After spending time together, Hua Ruoying believed she had figured out Nan's temperament. Despite his occasional threats, he never actually did anything malicious, as the rumors suggested. Gradually, she let her guard down.

"Did you get everything you needed?" Nan asked, his tone unusually gentle, and his eyes filled with a rare softness.

"Pretty much. Why, feeling the pinch after spending so much money?" Hua Ruoying teased, sipping her wine.

"This amount is nothing for my residence. But since you spent so much, don't you think you should give something in return?" Nan laughed softly.

"What do you want?" Hua Ruoying asked casually, looking up only when he didn't answer immediately.

"Qingping, step outside." Hua Ruoying gestured.

Obediently, Qingping left the room and waited by the door.

Nan cast a spell over the door, appearing as a barrier but actually allowing those outside to hear everything inside clearly.

"I want a few Qianmo." Nan said quietly, subtly glancing towards the door.

Hua Ruoying paused at the mention of Qianmo. She scrutinized Nan before speaking.

"Are you out of your mind? You know Qianmo is only made by the Demon King, right? Are you planning a rebellion?"

"Don't be ridiculous. The Demon King and I are old friends. What rebellion?" Nan chuckled.

"Not taking orders from the Demon King? Then how do you have his token?" Hua Ruoying was puzzled.

"I've known the Demon King for a long time. Having his token is not unusual." Nan responded.

"Qianmo is dangerous. Why do you want it? You must have bad intentions." Hua Ruoying warned.

"I know. Qianmo is as powerful as the puppet control technique of old." Nan spoke loudly enough for Qingping to hear, causing her to gasp in surprise.

"Shh! Keep it down. Don't let Qingping hear." Hua Ruoying hushed him.

"I can't give you Qianmo right now. You can threaten me with Qingping all you want, but I can't give you what I don't have."

"Why can't you make more?" Nan asked.

"Qianmo is problematic. You saw it yourself. The one on Mi Xingzhe shattered for no reason. I may not like you, but I guarantee nothing from me is defective. Until I find out why Mi Xingzhe's Qianmo shattered, I can't make more." Hua Ruoying explained.

"Fair enough. But I hear Qianmo can control people. What else can it do?" Nan probed further.

"Nothing special. I just mimicked the puppet control technique of old. The Demon King had a controlled beast, so I created something similar. It makes the controlled person lose their mind and obey every command. It's the same as any ordinary puppet." Hua Ruoying explained.

The private room door was suddenly flung open, and Qingping stood there, seething with anger, his clenched fists making a cracking sound.

"Qingping." Hua Ruoying was completely caught off guard by Qingping overhearing everything they had just said. She was at a loss for words, trying to think of an explanation.

Qingping stood silently at the doorway, his eyes filled with indescribable disappointment and rage, staring intensely at Hua Ruoying.

He wanted to say something but didn't know what to say. He stood there for a long time, his body trembling with anger, and finally, he punched the wall beside him and ran off.

"Qingping, listen to me! Qingping!" Hua Ruoying quickly chased after him, trying to explain, leaving Nan sitting in the room, fanning himself and enjoying the drama.

Back at Mirror Cloud Residence, Mi Xingzhe gently applied medicinal ointment to Yun Qingyi's wounds while Li Luoning read through some books.

"Qingyi, I haven't seen Bingo for several days. Do you think it might have gotten lost?" Mi Xingzhe asked worriedly.

"Bingo isn't an ordinary spirit beast; it's a Rui Beast Chenghuang. It won't get lost easily. It's probably found a comfortable place to stay for a few days. It'll come back soon. Don't worry," Yun Qingyi reassured him.

"Xingzhe, go and decoct this medicine," Li Luoning said, handing him a prescription.

Mi Xingzhe took the prescription and left the room. Li Luoning and Yun Qingyi exchanged knowing glances.

"Master didn't tell Xingzhe about what happened that day?" Yun Qingyi asked.

"I asked Qingyuan War God about it. He mentioned that Wuming Demon Mountain has a new puppet control technique called Qianmo. Xingzhe was likely poisoned by Qianmo, causing him to act that way. Injuring you was not his intention. Since he doesn't remember what happened, I didn't tell him to prevent him from feeling guilty," Li Luoning explained.

"Master, thank you for saving my life that day. But what exactly is this Qianmo?" Yun Qingyi asked.

"Qianmo is a poison created by the Demon King, replicating the ancient puppet control technique to control puppets. Considering that Xingzhe was captured by them, it's not surprising he was forced to consume Qianmo. There's no known antidote for Qianmo. However, that day, after coming into contact with your blood, Xingzhe's Qianmo suddenly lost its effect, allowing me to save you," Li Luoning explained.

"Is there no way to remove it? Does that mean Xingzhe will always be controlled by them?" Yun Qingyi asked worriedly.

"I suspect Qianmo was specially developed by Hua Ruoying for the Demon King. Ancient texts don't provide a solution. Since that incident, Hua Ruoying has disappeared. If we can find her, we might discover a way to break the control," Li Luoning said.

"What does Master plan to do next?" Yun Qingyi asked.

"Your Uncle Muchuan is still searching for news about the Shangwei Tianshi in the Sutra Pavilion. I'll inform him to also investigate the ancient puppet control technique. Once your injuries improve, I plan to visit the Sutra Pavilion myself," Li Luoning replied thoughtfully.

"Uncle Muchuan is gentle and loves reading. He might have become absorbed in an ancient text. If he finds any information, he will inform Master immediately. Master need not worry," Yun Qingyi said.

"First, the Medicine King was poisoned, then the Dragon King died near Mirror Cloud Residence. It all seems too coincidental. But I can't figure out the root cause. The person I met in the alchemy room seemed to have a deep grudge against me. I'm afraid he's behind all these events," Li Luoning said, troubled.

"Master, Master! What's happening with Uncle Muchuan's bead string? I saw it flickering and dimming in your study," Mi Xingzhe rushed in with the bead string.

Li Luoning felt a surge of unease as he saw the flickering beads. He hurried to the study and found the letter Muchuan had left.

"Luoning, reading this letter, I know my fate is sealed. I am fortunate to have met you in this lifetime. Everything was destined. Remember, no matter what happens, persistence brings hope."

Muchuan

Li Luoning's hands trembled as he read the letter, realizing this was their final farewell. Overwhelmed, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Master!" Yun Qingyi and Mi Xingzhe shouted simultaneously.

"I'm fine."

"Xingzhe, go fetch Fushen incense and Huxin powder. I'll help stabilize Master's spirit. It's likely because he hasn't rested properly after using his powers recently, combined with the shock," Yun Qingyi instructed.

"Okay." Mi Xingzhe nodded and ran out.

At the door, someone called for Li Luoning.

"Is Li Luoning here? I have something to deliver according to Yanding Dragon King's last wish," the visitor said.

Li Luoning steadied himself and took the box from the visitor. "Thank you."

He composed himself and opened the box, revealing two dragon scales and a bone.

Mi Xingzhe and Yun Qingyi exchanged puzzled glances.

Li Luoning touched the dragon scales, and they transformed into a blue force that flowed into his body. He then picked up the bone, which turned into a short sword.

The three were confused by the transformation.

"What is the Dragon King up to?" Mi Xingzhe wondered.

"Dragon scales are the strongest armor. If Yanding Dragon King entrusted them to Master, it must be for something important," Yun Qingyi speculated.

"But what about the bone? What's its purpose?" Mi Xingzhe asked.

"It's not a dragon bone," Li Luoning said, examining the short sword.

"Then what is it?" Mi Xingzhe asked.

"It's a human bone," Li Luoning replied.