Chapter 1128 - 1125: Taking Over the Quan Dao Sect
Lin Chuan chuckled and said, "Mr. Fan, your insight is indeed sharp. Yes, I've practiced a type of Taoist mental method, but I'm not truly a cultivator."
Fan Changhe exclaimed, "Which Taoist mental method have you practiced?"
Lin Chuan smiled slightly and said, "Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs."
This is originally a very common saying within Taoism, but upon hearing it, Fan Changhe's expression changed dramatically.
Seeing Fan Changhe's expression change, Lin Chuan followed with another saying, "Heaven follows the great Dao, rising and falling in turn."
These two phrases were from a fake book found in a stone chamber, and when Lin Chuan spoke of them now, Fan Changhe's expression turned even more shocked, staring blankly at Lin Chuan for a long while before he said, "How do you know these words?"
The Xuanyuan Sect emerged after the disbanding of the Quan Dao Sect, and Lin Chuan spoke these words to see how Fan Changhe would react.
"I naturally know these words. I wonder if Mr. Fan recognizes this item?" Lin Chuan said, as he took out the Illusion Pearl from his chest.
Although it was daytime and the room was brightly lit, when Lin Chuan took out the Illusion Pearl, the old General and Fan Changhe still felt a flash of bright light before their eyes.
Upon seeing the Illusion Pearl, Fan Changhe's expression became extremely surprised, and he suddenly kneeled and bowed as he said respectfully, "I, Fan Changhe, the 17th generation descendant of the Xuanyuan Sect, pay my respects to the Headmaster."
It seems the power of the Illusion Pearl is indeed significant, but Lin Chuan quickly helped Fan Changhe up, saying, "Mr. Fan, please don't perform such great courtesy to me. As a junior, I cannot bear it."
Fan Changhe respectfully said, "Our ancestors instructed that upon seeing anyone possessing the Quan Dao Sect's token, one must heed their orders. Although I feel ashamed before my ancestors, I dare not forget their teachings."
The old General chuckled and said, "Old Fan, given our relationship, you don't need to be so formal with this young fellow. From now on, you should call him Lin Chuan."
Lin Chuan immediately said, "The old General is right, Mr. Fan, please call me Lin Chuan from now on."
Fan Changhe glanced at the two men and switched topics, saying, "Lin Chuan, Old Chen mentioned you have a few lines to interpret. Which lines were those?"
Lin Chuan said, "Nine-nine in numbers, three stars in line, on the summit of Yuxue Peak, the Tao arises."
After hearing Lin Chuan's words, Fan Changhe pondered for a long time before speaking, "In our Taoism, the 'nine-nine number' refers to the convergence every twelve years of Heaven and Earth, which is to say, the cyclical return of the twelve branches, beginning with the first day of the Year of the Rat. 'Three stars in line' refers to the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, occurring annually at the end of January. As for the last two lines, I'm still a bit confused."
The old General said, "This year is the Year of the Pig in the twelve zodiac signs, and in two months it will be the Year of the Rat. Does this mean on the first day of the Year of the Rat, Lin Chuan, you must go to Yuxue Peak to find this supposed white-bearded Taoist?"
Fan Changhe calculated and said, "The last day of this year's end coincidentally aligns with the three-star convergence. It seems Old Chen's interpretation is correct, that's what these four lines mean."
Lin Chuan pondered, was this white-bearded Taoist going to discuss matters related to the so-called celestial calamity?
Fan Changhe continued, "Lin Chuan, since you obtained the Illusion Pearl, did you also receive the supreme mental method of Quan Dao Sect, the Heavenly Heart Skill imprint?"
Lin Chuan nodded.
Fan Changhe said, "So it is destined; Lin Chuan, from now on, you must shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the Quan Dao Sect. Our entire Xuanyuan Sect will follow your commands and rejoin the Quan Dao Sect."
Lin Chuan said, "Mr. Fan, can you tell me in detail why the Quan Dao Sect dissolved overnight?"
Fan Changhe shook his head and said, "I'm not sure either, but based on my research over the years, the dissolution of Quan Dao Sect was primarily due to the Yin Yang Jade."
Involving the Yin Yang Jade again, once its mysteries are uncovered, perhaps everything will become clear.
"Lin Chuan, after the dissolution of Quan Dao Sect, many sects were left behind. Apart from the Xuanyuan Sect, there are also the Tai Chi Sect, the Ancient Martial Sect, and the Maoshan Tao. You may be familiar with their situation?" said Fan Changhe.
Lin Chuan nodded, the old General had mentioned these to him.
Fan Changhe continued, "The Tai Chi Sect has now developed many disciples, with hundreds of external disciples alone; their leader is named Feng Taiji, highly skilled. The Ancient Martial Sect today is no longer a legitimate Taoist sect, nor does it have a main leader. The Maoshan Tao has strayed from Taoist principles, not only using evil arts for mischief but also seeking to unify all Taoism."
"Besides these four sects, there are some mysterious branches like the Tianyuan Sect operating in Southeast Asia, established by disciples of our Quan Dao Sect. Lin Chuan, as the Headmaster of Quan Dao Sect now, it is your responsibility to integrate these sects and restore the Quan Dao Sect to unity."
...
The brutal deaths of two detectives shocked all of Jiangbei City, making Zhang Wenhui's days quite troubled.
The people were brought by Zhang Wenhui, not only allowing Yang Zi to be rescued, but also resulting in the death of two police officers. The main responsibility obviously lies with him.
Director Hu is also having a tough time. In recent days, Jiangbei City has experienced a series of heinous criminal cases, all of them being vicious murder cases.
In these cases, the victims' bodies were entirely drained of flesh and blood, turning into dried corpses.
Numerous vicious cases have already stirred panic among the residents of Jiangbei City. At this moment, Director Hu was sitting in the office of Tang Yumeng from the City Committee.
In the office, besides Tang Yumeng and Director Hu, Mayor Chen Mingguo and the City Political and Legal Affairs Secretary were also present.
"Director Hu, our city has had a series of vicious murder cases these days. Shouldn't you, as the director, give us an explanation?" Mayor Chen Mingguo glanced at Director Hu and said.
Director Hu wiped the cold sweat dripping from his face and said, "Dear leaders, I have already established a special task force specifically for these cases, and we're expediting the investigations."
Tang Yumeng slightly furrowed her brows and said, "Old Hu, first tell us about the clues you have gathered so far regarding these cases."
Director Hu pondered for a moment and said, "According to the current information, the victims are all males between the ages of thirty and forty, completely drained of flesh and blood. Most died in remote areas, where there were footprints from both the victims and the perpetrator. Comparisons of these footprints confirm that the perpetrator is the same person."
"Is this all we have?" Mayor Chen Mingguo looked at Director Hu and asked.
Director Hu nodded awkwardly and said, "This is all we have for now."
Tang Yumeng asked, "What does the coroner's report say?"
Director Hu replied, "According to the autopsy report, there are no obvious wounds on the victims' bodies, except for one wound found on the neck."
Chen Mingguo said, "What about the investigation into the case where our two officers were killed?"
Director Hu said, "We still have no leads. I've given a strict order for Zhang Wenhui to solve the case within ten days and find the killer."
Chen Mingguo's face showed a flash of anger as he increased his voice, saying, "Director Hu, these vicious cases have already disturbed the entire Jiangbei City. Give us a timeline, how many days will it take for you to solve the case."
Director Hu with a grieving face said, "Dear leaders, judging by these cases, we suspect it might not have been done by human hands, so I can't determine the exact time for solving the case, but we will put in our best efforts."
"If not humans, then perhaps ghosts? Director Hu, it looks like you're shirking responsibility. I'll give you fifteen days to solve the case, otherwise, you won't be the director anymore." Chen Mingguo said angrily.
Director Hu looked at Tang Yumeng with eyes implying she should say something.
Tang Yumeng pondered for a moment and said, "Old Hu, how about this, I'll call Lin Chuan back to help you, but the deadline set by Mayor Chen cannot change. You have half a month's time, by whatever means, you must solve the case and provide an explanation to the entire city."
The relationship between Lin Chuan and Tang Yumeng is no longer a secret. When Director Hu heard that Tang Yumeng would have Lin Chuan come to help, it was clearly a way out for him. He hurriedly said, "That's great, we'll go all out to try and solve the case within fifteen days."
After they went out, Tang Yumeng picked up the phone on the desk and called Lin Chuan, telling him about the cases happening in Jiangbei City these days.
Lin Chuan wasn't very interested in the victims drained of flesh and blood; rather, the unkillable monster who murdered two officers piqued his great interest.
Two days later, Lin Chuan returned to Jiangbei City with the adorable Little Snake, Xiao Ling.
By the time he returned to Jiangbei City, it was already past seven in the evening, and Lin Chuan did not go home but went directly to Tang Yumeng's place.
Xiao Ling, that little fellow, was very restless. Lin Chuan was indeed worried that it might leap out and scare someone, so he stuffed it into a bag. The little creature stayed in the bag, unable to get out, and hissed continuously in protest.
Upon arriving at Tang Yumeng's home, Lin Chuan did not let the little fellow out, for he hadn't seen Tang Yumeng in some days, and couldn't allow the little creature to ruin the moment.
Having not met for many days, Tang Yumeng felt Lin Chuan had changed somewhat, not in appearance or personality, but in the aura he exuded.
The previous feeling she got from Lin Chuan was that of a mischievous kind, yet carrying a certain playful nonchalance. The current Lin Chuan still had some mischievousness, but there was an added touch of steadiness and maturity.
Having been apart for days, the two couldn't focus on business; instead, they embraced passionately, engaging in fiery kisses.
Tang Yumeng's body was growing more womanly, filled with a mature woman's unique charm, and Lin Chuan lovingly caressed every part of her body.
Her high, firm chest, long, white legs, slender, flexible waist – every inch of her skin mesmerized Lin Chuan.
