Immortalis

Meat Well V

Early the next morning, when Yang Wujian awoke, Zhou Huai had already gone to practice swordplay.

To conduct some verification, he stood by the Meat Well outside Yongyi holding the bottle. Sure enough, when he was still four or five steps away from the Meat Well, the thing inside the bottle began to grow restless, constantly scratching the inner walls. The sound it made was chilling.

After a while, Zhou Huai returned after practicing a set of White Rainbow. Hearing the commotion from the bottle, he curiously approached.

"This insect doesn't only come alive when heated by fire? Why is it so agitated near the Meat Well?"

At the Aconite Kiln, Zhou Huai had been too far away to witness the gruesome scene of the insect "eating" people. He only instinctively felt that the thing in the bottle was half-dead and half-alive, utterly bizarre. He wondered, "You said this is the Meteor Star? An Otherworldly Object, how could it be alive?"

Yang Wujian smiled. "Since it's an Otherworldly Object, isn't it normal for it to be different from things in our world? If this thing comes alive, it can be lured with mineral powder to possess someone, and one touch means death. It's fortunate it didn't fall into the hands of the Zhaoming Division."

He put away the bottle and retreated to a safe distance. Turning to look at Zhou Huai's sweaty appearance, he couldn't help but say, "I never saw you so diligent before. Now you're even waking up earlier than me?"

Zhou Huai wiped the sweat from his forehead and casually sheathed White Rainbow. "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, you should sleep more. Besides, I've gotten used to following behind you all that time. Now if I don't practice swordplay, my whole body feels uncomfortable. Just as well, since the road ahead will be dangerous. I need to warm up properly to protect you."

His words immediately made Yang Wujian laugh.

"Young master, the way you talk. Even if I can't use Bone Shrinking anymore, I'm still a Longevity Palace elder after all. No matter what, I'm not at the point where I need you to worry about me."

Though Yang Wujian said this, he thought to himself that when he watched Zhou Huai practicing swordplay from afar earlier, he realized Zhou Huai had incorporated other sword techniques he knew into White Rainbow Sword, adapting flexibly to circumstances. He had actually improved even more than before.

If he continued like this, within two years, Zhou Huai would definitely become a notable figure in the martial world.

After exchanging a few more lighthearted remarks, when the insect in the bottle had completely fallen silent, Yang Wujian finally turned serious. "Last night I figured it out. Where the Meteor Star falls is where the Meat Well appears, and the Howling Whistle grows beside the Meat Well. In other words, the Howling Whistle and Meteor Star are the guides to enter the Underground Heaven... Between these two, the Howling Whistle has long been in the world. The only thing missing is the Meteor Star in the fortune-teller's hands."

Zhou Huai was puzzled. "But didn't you say earlier that Sun Eryuan told you that at this year's Famous Sword Conference, the old manor lord had already obtained a piece of Meteor Star?"

This was something Yang Wujian hadn't figured out either. Frowning, he said, "Zhuang Tianyou has been in seclusion ever since the Famous Sword Conference. There's something strange about him too. You need to understand, all those cases we investigated were specifically assigned by him... Without him, we wouldn't have offended all these Four Seas Alliance families at once."

Now, although they had the Meteor Star in their possession, after White Dog Village was completely slaughtered, only Medicine King Mountain had the Beast Luring Powder made from Howling Whistle. If they wanted to explore the Meat Well, they couldn't avoid cooperating with the Four Seas Alliance.

However, the other side had greater numbers, and their previous interactions hadn't been particularly pleasant either. If they went to them recklessly, these so-called righteous sects might even kill them to silence them for the Longevity Heart Sutra. After much contemplation, Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai finally thought of an unconventional approach.

They would go to Thousand Cliffs Fortress."Young Master, that unaccounted-for bad debt of your father's is a major vulnerability. Such a huge sum went missing while in Thousand Cliffs Fortress's hands. If we report this to the authorities, a minor sect like Thousand Cliffs Fortress would never withstand the consequences."

On their way to Full Spring Tower, Yang Wujian spoke with confidence: "Moreover, during the recent reorganization of the Four Seas Alliance, Thousand Cliffs Fortress sent many representatives, showing signs of being a rising force - they just lack an opportunity... We'll give them that opportunity by having Thousand Cliffs Fortress take the lead in this matter to counterbalance the other factions."

Having experienced the siege of White Rainbow Tower, Zhou Huai now clearly understood the true nature of these martial artists. He frowned: "But what if they try to seize it openly too?"

Hearing this, Yang Wujian merely glanced at the White Rainbow Sword hanging at Zhou Huai's waist and smiled: "Haven't you fought them before? You should know what worthless fighters they are. Even Young Master Guanhuo had to seek help from Ghost Market when he wanted us dead, which shows he lacks capable subordinates. Even if they really try to take it by force, they're no match for you."

Full Spring Tower now stood before them.

Having not visited for some time, the place remained completely unchanged. Clearly, no matter who became the new courtesan queen of this street, or who occupied the highest room, business on Handkerchief Street would continue unaffected.

Before entering, Yang Wujian said one last thing: "Don't you still have the Messenger Bee Shen Qingshi left you? If we break with them later, take it out and say our friend is in the Zhaoming Division. If we die, the Zhaoming Division will come to investigate the accounts. I believe Young Master Guanhuo isn't foolish - he'll know what choice to make."

Thus, the two returned to the building filled with the scent of cosmetics. The madam immediately sensed something amiss upon seeing their bamboo hats, but before she could call for help, two men dressed in frontier attire descended from upstairs and spoke to her. The madam instantly changed her expression, coming forward to greet them with a beaming smile.

"Honored guests, our master requests your presence."

Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai exchanged glances, thinking that while Thousand Cliffs Fortress might not excel at much else, their spies were everywhere - their intelligence network arguably surpassed even the former White Rainbow Tower's.

The two ascended to the top floor, returning to the room where people had died.

Although the White-faced Guest had nearly slaughtered everyone on this level previously, after being cleaned with water, the corridors now appeared spotless, as if nothing had ever happened.

The two men invited them inside before taking positions guarding the door. Having already died once, Yang Wujian felt no fear and pushed the door open to enter the room.

An intense incense aroma assaulted them, smelling unlike anything from the Central Plains. Having learned his lesson from Sun Eryuan, Yang Wujian instinctively moved to cover his nose and mouth when a man's voice from behind the curtain said: "Young hero, no need for concern. This is just ordinary frontier incense used for warming the body. If it displeases you, I'll have them extinguish it immediately."

No sooner had he spoken than maidservants came forward to smother all the incense in the room, even opening the windows to let the scent dissipate.

Quite perceptive.

Yang Wujian couldn't help laughing: "If you'd treated us with such courtesy earlier, the Young Master and I wouldn't have needed to kill so many of your skilled fighters."

He looked toward the curtain, only to realize it wasn't made of gauze but completely concealed the person behind it, not even revealing a shadow. He wondered how the other party had seen them.The voice said, "It was indeed our negligence earlier. The fate of the steward that day, I believe the young master is aware of. If the young master remains unsatisfied, I offer my apologies once more today."

The speaker's refined tone and courteous demeanor suggested extensive education—how could such a person be involved with a minor sect in this remote wilderness?

Yang Wujian pondered silently but refrained from pushing further, asking instead, "That won't be necessary. However, we still don't know who you are."

The man chuckled, "I am Nan Lu, leader of Thousand Cliffs Fortress. Greetings, Young Master Yang, Young Master Zhou."

Nan Lu?

Both Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai recognized it as an alias. Zhou Huai asked in surprise, "Is Handkerchief Street truly under Thousand Cliffs Fortress's control?"

Nan Lu replied, "Business and the martial world are inseparable—the young tower master surely understands this principle."

The effect was immediate: Zhou Huai's expression darkened, while Yang Wujian scoffed, "Leader Nan is quite sharp-tongued. Rumor has it the master of Thousand Cliffs Fortress is elusive—we never expected to meet you here."

Nan Lu smiled wryly, "As the two young masters witnessed earlier, such a major incident on the street requires someone to take charge."

But why did it feel like this man had been waiting for them?

Yang Wujian sensed something amiss, yet dwelling on it was pointless now. They needed to swiftly secure an ally to help them descend into the Meat Well; otherwise, the Longevity Heart Sutra would soon fall into the imperial court's hands.

Thus, Yang Wujian cut straight to the point, laying out their purpose openly. Beside him, Zhou Huai—clutching the deadly vial in his robes—sat upright, his hand already resting on White Rainbow.

Before arriving, Zhou Huai had resolved that if these people dared demand Yang Wujian suffer retribution, he would kill two as a warning. Fortunately, after hearing Yang Wujian's proposal, Nan Lu merely asked, "Does Young Master Yang wish to ally with Thousand Cliffs Fortress to find the Longevity Heart Sutra?"

Yang Wujian countered, "Could it be that Leader Nan doesn't desire the Longevity Heart Sutra?"

Nan Lu fell silent briefly before responding, "Lately, whispers in the martial world claim the imperial court eradicated Longevity Palace. Is this true?"

Yang Wujian's heart ached, but alone and unburdened now, he spoke frankly, "Leader Nan is well-informed. I assume, since you asked me, you're aware of my identity."

Nan Lu smiled, "Naturally. Since Young Master Yang is so forthright, I'll be direct as well. Everyone in the martial world covets the Longevity Heart Sutra—Thousand Cliffs Fortress is no exception. But I fear the two young masters may not know: rumors have spread these past days that the sutra is hidden beneath the Meat Well."

"What?" Yang Wujian startled, "Who is spreading this?"

Nan Lu said, "Unless I'm mistaken, the news originated from the palace. Someone aims to use martial artists as pawns to descend into the Meat Well and retrieve the Longevity Heart Sutra."

Zhou Huai frowned; he had seen such tactics before. "It must be the Zhaoming Division... they leaked information about White Rainbow Tower the same way last time."

The person behind the curtain added, "If we seek the Longevity Heart Sutra now, we may play right into their hands. Young Master Yang, have you considered that even if we retrieve it from the well, this artifact could easily bring calamity upon the martial world?"Yang Wujian hadn't expected the Zhaoming Division to act so swiftly. However, with both the Meteor Star and Howling Whistle now circulating in the martial world, even if they wanted to find the Longevity Heart Sutra, they likely had no means to do so.

Yang Wujian chuckled wryly, "The Longevity Heart Sutra is a hot potato. Even without the Zhaoming Division, other sects would still interfere. Sect Leader Nan, I actually think this is a fortunate turn of events for you."

"How so?"

"Originally, without those imperial hounds, your competitors would have been the Four Seas Alliance. Persuading them to produce the Howling Whistle might have been difficult. But now, with the imperial court stirring the pot, you share a common enemy. Isn't this the perfect opportunity for peaceful cooperation?"

Yang Wujian spoke bluntly, "As for your concern that the Longevity Heart Sutra would bring disaster to the martial world—do you really think the court would spare you if you don't seek it? The method to find the Longevity Heart Sutra lies within the martial world. 'He who holds a jewel is guilty.' The fate of Longevity Palace should serve as your warning."

His words were exceptionally straightforward. Hearing this, Nan Lu sighed, "It seems there's no avoiding this matter. Young heroes, I have one final question: why come to us instead of the Four Seas Alliance?"

Zhou Huai, thinking of how the White Rainbow Tower's accumulated wealth had ultimately ended up in this Handkerchief Street, said coldly, "My father's silver all went into your pocket. Shouldn't we come to you, Sect Leader Nan?"

Hearing this, Nan Lu merely smiled, "I don't frequent this Handkerchief Street often, nor do I know who the previous patrons were. But Young Master Zhou, we never take silver for nothing here. If Tower Master Zhou's silver truly ended up in my pocket, then he must have been enjoying himself quite liberally in brothels and gambling dens all these years. That's something I couldn't possibly prevent."

"You..."

Zhou Huai's face turned ashen, looking ready to explode on the spot. Yang Wujian pressed him down and said coldly, "Since we're discussing cooperation, Sect Leader Nan, let's not bring up sore subjects. After all, although you claim never to take silver for nothing, the imperial court would also be very interested in knowing where the massive fortune accumulated by White Rainbow Tower over the years has disappeared to, wouldn't they?"

With these words, the tent finally fell silent. After a long while, Nan Lu said, "In that case, I'll take it upon myself to contact the Four Seas Alliance. However, whether they're willing to cooperate or not is beyond my control—it depends on how badly they want to lay eyes on the Longevity Heart Sutra."