Chapter 75: The Real and the Fake Taoist

Bai Qi was covered in blood, and apart from me, no one dared to approach him. Even Liu the Blind looked uneasy, gripping his bamboo pole tightly with one hand while holding onto the car door with the other, as if ready to leap out at any moment.

Once we exited the mountain, cell service was restored. Tie Ningxiang immediately reported the situation to the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau, informing them that two police officers were still trapped in the mountains and requesting reinforcements.

The disappearance of two officers was a serious matter. The bureau leadership reprimanded Tie Ningxiang harshly and mobilized police forces from various counties in Jiangcheng to assist with the search and rescue.

Dense fog enveloped the mountains, making the rescue operation exceedingly difficult.

It wasn't until evening that a significant breakthrough occurred. A jet-black Hongqi sedan appeared on the winding mountain road.

Despite its unassuming exterior, this type of car couldn't be purchased, even with money; it was reserved exclusively for high-ranking officials.

The driver's skill was impeccable, bringing the car directly to the foot of the mountain.

After shutting off the engine, the driver quickly exited the vehicle, hurried to open the rear door, and respectfully announced, "Master, we've arrived."

A boot stepped out of the car, its shallow embroidered edge adorned with cloud patterns. Each stitch and thread reflected exquisite craftsmanship.

"Bring me my tools. Prepare the altar," a calm and authoritative voice instructed.

Emerging from the rear seat was a Taoist priest. His attire was magnificent: a hibiscus-patterned crown, a celestial scarf, and a robe with flowing cloud and radiant hues. Every movement exuded an ethereal, otherworldly grace, as if he had stepped out of an ancient painting.

"Old Liu, look at his outfit, then look at yours. Aren't you both practitioners of intangible cultural heritage? How is the gap so vast?" I teased.

The appearance of this Taoist overturned my previous impressions of Taoist practitioners. Until now, the ones I'd encountered, whether it was Liu the Blind or the corpse-driving Taoist from Qingtu Temple, were all modestly dressed, even bordering on shabby.

Liu the Blind remained composed and replied, "The Dao has three thousand paths; each follows their own way, and none is superior."

"That's just an excuse. Look at how your eyes are glued to him," I teased further.

The well-dressed Taoist stepped out of the car, and his driver immediately got busy. He set up an offering table, placed an incense burner, and even slaughtered a rooster with a vibrant red comb near the mountain pass.

Once everything was prepared, the Taoist held a jade brush intricately carved with phoenixes and dragons. Dipping it into the warm rooster's blood, he began chanting incantations and drawing talismans.

"Old Liu, what sect does his Taoist practice belong to?" I asked, curiosity evident in my tone.

"I don't know. I've never seen it before," Liu replied, shaking his head.

Intrigued, I pulled Tie Ningxiang aside. "Who is this Taoist in the tall crown?"

Tie Ningxiang seemed uncertain and replied vaguely, "I reported the situation in the mountains to the higher-ups, and they sent him over, instructing me to accommodate his every need."

"Sent by the higher-ups? This Taoist must have some serious backing!"

As we spoke, the Taoist chanted an incantation toward the mountains that no one understood, then burned the talismans he had drawn to ashes.

"It is done!"

He gestured to his driver and Wu Meng before mobilizing everyone to enter the Songlin Cemetery. They uprighted some toppled tombstones, slaughtered nine live chickens, and mixed their blood with glutinous rice, scattering it across fixed positions within the cemetery.

Amazingly, after following his instructions, the dense mountain fog began to dissipate within just ten minutes.

"So, the core of the evil formation was outside the mountain!" Liu the Blind suddenly realized. "Whether it's the person who set up this formation or the one who broke it, both are far beyond our level. You'd best not meddle carelessly."

With the fog cleared, the Taoist returned to his car and closed his eyes to rest, exuding the demeanor of a reclusive master detached from worldly affairs. Once the driver packed up the altar and tools, he promptly turned the car around, preparing to leave the mountain.

I assumed that was the end of it, but to my surprise, trouble came knocking.

The Hongqi sedan passed by me and suddenly stopped. Amid the astonished gazes of those around, the Taoist opened the car door and hurried over to me—or, more precisely, to Bai Qi.

"This dog is the reincarnation of the White Tiger Star. It is fated to be with me," he declared.

Fated, my foot! Was he trying to snatch Bai Qi by force? I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "A gentleman does not covet what others hold dear. This dog is mine."

"A star of slaughter has descended. If you don't leave it soon, it may bring calamity upon you, leading to an early death," the Taoist said, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from Bai Qi and looking up.

It was my first time seeing his face clearly. How should I put it? This Taoist wasn't very old—about my age, judging by his appearance. But with his refined features, impeccable attire, and natural grace, he looked like a celestial being straight out of an ancient painting.

"This guy is practically the ultimate heartthrob of the Taoist world. If he went into acting, wouldn't those pretty-boy actors all be out of work?"

The Taoist seemed pleased by my reaction. With an air of self-admiration, he shook his head as if in resignation. "Fine. It's hard to explain, but know this: keeping this dog will bring disaster, while letting it follow me will allow it to gain enlightenment and help humanity."

He spoke as if he were a savior, which only irritated me further.

"No deal. This dog will not leave me."

"I've practiced Taoism for over a decade and would never resort to forceful means. If you refuse to part with it for the sake of virtue, then at least name your price. I will offer you a satisfactory amount," the Taoist said, determined to acquire Bai Qi. His insistence attracted the attention of many police officers, who began to gather around us.

"Are you trying to bully me?" My impression of the Taoist began to sour. He stood there, acting righteous, as if taking Bai Qi was for my own good.

"Would ten thousand yuan satisfy you?" the Taoist asked, causing a stir among the crowd.

"Ten thousand? My God, for a dog?"

"Sell it already! It's just a mutt. What's there to think about?"

"This is the Taoist's blessing. Don't waste the opportunity."

The voices around me were a cacophony of opinions. My mood darkened. Bai Qi seemed to sense the tension, baring his teeth and growling.

"No way. This dog is family. I even went into debt—tens of thousands of yuan—for its sake. Sorry, but it's not for sale," I said firmly.

The crowd erupted with mixed reactions, and their whispers pricked my ears like needles.

Bai Qi growled again, and Tie Ningxiang, sensing the commotion, approached. "What's going on, Gao Jian?" she asked, concerned.

Before I could answer, the Taoist spoke up. "It's nothing. I'm just trying to help him avert disaster and protect his life."

His words caught Tie Ningxiang's attention, and the look in his eyes as he gazed at her was unmistakable—something deeper than mere appreciation.

Leaving Bai Qi aside, the Taoist extended his hand to Tie Ningxiang. "I am Lu Jin, Daoist name Zi Qiu, though you may simply call me Lu Zi Qiu."

"Daoist Lu, thank you for your help today," Tie Ningxiang said politely, shaking his hand.

"It was my duty. I came down from the mountains to wander the mortal world and experience its trials," he replied, his words growing more flowery. Yet his hand lingered in the handshake, unwilling to let go.

Feeling something was off about him, I stepped in to separate them. "Daoist Lu, since we've spoken for so long, don't you feel a sense of kindred spirits between us?"

Lu Jin seemed slightly displeased but looked past me toward Tie Ningxiang. "I'll be staying in Jiangcheng for a while. Should you have any questions about fate or destiny, feel free to seek me out. Here's my card."

He handed her a business card and left with a smile.

"This man is dangerous," I said, my eyes cold.

Tie Ningxiang, however, didn't seem concerned. She patted my shoulder. "Junior, thank you for today. Leave the rest to the police. You and your friend can head home now."

The search continued into the night, but the results were grim. Old Wei seemed to have vanished from the mountains without a trace. The officer trapped in the dried well of Qianlong Village was rescued but appeared to have lost his mind, snarling and biting like a wild animal.

This operation to capture Lu Xing ended in utter failure. An entire day yielded no trace of him, while our side suffered heavy losses.

By 7 p.m., after completing my statement, Liu the Blind and I were sent back to the Jiangcheng urban area.

After dinner, I took Bai Qi for a bath, where it took three full tubs of hot water to wash off all the blood.

Finally able to relax, I noticed Bai Qi's resentful gaze and understood immediately. Taking out the child-immortal wine, I poured us each a cup.

With Bai Qi sprawled drunkenly on the floor, I sat beside him, practicing the foundational technique of the Miao Zhen school. After three major cycles, my fatigue vanished, and even the wound on my chest showed signs of healing.

It wasn't even 9 p.m. yet. Feeling it was still early, I pulled out the file on Huang Guanxing to study it.

Getting to the bottom of this rich heir's death would be immensely beneficial to me—not only because of my partnership with Qian Ding Pharmaceuticals but also because his death held valuable clues for my own survival.

He had been killed by the Hell Show. If my points were ever reduced to zero, I would likely face the same fate.

Preparing now would prevent panic later and help me avoid the fate of someone like Xia Chi, who had cowered under his bed at home, awaiting death.

Among the women Huang Guanxing had contacted before his death, I had essentially ruled out the owner of the Blue Bar. That left three suspects: intern nurse Jiang Shihan, Miao tribal woman Miao Yuanyuan, and top-tier celebrity Wang Yuchun.

Miao Yuanyuan's whereabouts were currently unknown, and Wang Yuchun's packed schedule made her nearly impossible to track down, even by paparazzi. Thus, I decided to focus on Jiang Shihan first.

She had been with Huang Guanxing on his final night, and I was sure she held critical information.

Arriving at Jiangcheng People's Hospital, where Jiang Shihan worked, I wandered through the wards under the pretense of needing a dressing change.

Late at night, the hospital had an indescribable eeriness. After familiarizing myself with the hospital's layout, I took out the information Zhang Secretary had provided and headed to Room 9114 on the top floor.

Riding the elevator to the top, I stepped into a dimly lit corridor. The lights flickered, and a nurse on duty was slumped over the desk, wearing an eye mask. The surroundings were deathly silent.

"Perfect," I thought. Strictly speaking, what I was about to do was illegal, so it had to be done discreetly.

Moving along the blind spots of the surveillance cameras, I approached Room 9114. Peering through the glass window, what I saw inside left me utterly stunned.