Chapter 13 If good and evil go unrewarded, heaven and earth must be partial
Translator: 549690339
The journey was silent, and the location where Shi Shoufu and Xiao Cui were buried wasn't very high. As Chief Zhang also had martial arts skills, the two quickly descended the mountain.
"Master, there's still some time before the noon banquet, I'll go and investigate the matter you mentioned first, is that alright?"
After undergoing Yi Chen's PUA education, Chief Zhang's initiative had greatly improved.
"Great, go for itヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ," Yi Chen responded with a bow.
Watching Chief Zhang's receding figure, Yi Chen narrowed his eyes and started walking in the opposite direction.
There was still time, so he also wanted to investigate the lives of Shi Shoufu, Xiao Cui, and Mayor Wu in his own way. He would then cross-reference his findings with Chief Zhang's investigation results for confirmation.
A wise man listens to all sides while a fool clings to his own view. He couldn't just take Shi Shoufu's word for it, especially since he had made it clear beforehand: if Shi Shoufu's words were true, only then would he act as an agent of heavenly punishment and lend a hand.
If Shi Shoufu dared to deceive him,
What was buried could be excavated, and even ashes could be scattered.
....
....
An hour later, the two met in a private room of a small tavern in town.
After cross-referencing, Yi Chen confirmed that Shi Shoufu's words were not false, and even understated.
One shouldn't judge by appearance, as the sea's depth is immeasurable.
Some appear kind and benevolent yet have hearts like serpents and scorpions.
Some look hideous but have kind hearts.
Mayor Wu, always smiling like a benevolent Buddha, was secretly committing acts that were too numerous to record.
Monopolizing the fur trade, oppressing the villagers, running gambling dens and brothels, loan sharking—with both overt and covert means he crushed his competitors, leading to their ruin, and then forced himself upon their wives...
He even enticed people to gamble. A rich young man named Jia Fugui was tricked into losing his ancestral home and has now joined the Beggar Sect to start anew.
According to the information Chief Zhang got from acquaintances, Mayor Wu, truly a lustful ghost, had even... committed adultery, which had become a semi-public secret in Qingyuan Town.
"Apprentice, elaborate, this is what I love to hear."
Startled, Chief Zhang froze. Was his master really that wild?
However, he quickly regained composure and vividly recounted all the information he had heard.
Half an hour later, Chief Zhang's mouth was dry from talking. He had highlighted Mayor Wu's misdeeds and even mentioned the victims' names.
Then he took the opportunity to pour himself a cup of turbid wine to rinse his mouth and moisten his throat before speaking,
"Master, are you investigating these to discipline Mayor Wu?"
"This Wu Changshou has tenuous connections to the county and even the provincial city—they are all intertwined, you scratch my back, I scratch yours. It's not easy to deal with on the surface."
Chief Zhang, who was about to pour another cup of turbid wine to quench his thirst, suddenly met Yi Chen's eyes, calm as the deep sea, dark and deep, as if they could suck in a person's soul.
His hand froze mid-air.
The ethereal voice of Yi Chen reached his ears, "Apprentice, I shall teach you another lesson today."
"Things in society, best not to probe too deeply.
"Excessive curiosity will only harm you.
"Have you realized this?"
Upon hearing these words, a chill went through Chief Zhang's heart, and he pretended to be an ostrich, deepening his understanding of the master he had just recognized today.
When he looked up again, Yi Chen's figure was nowhere to be seen, only the lines written with turbid wine on the table remained.
He read them out, word by word.
With a single thought born, heaven and earth are fully aware.
Without retribution for good or evil, the cosmos must hold a bias.
He looked up sharply at the spot where Yi Chen had been seated, now empty; however, he could imagine his cheap master angrily writing these four lines.
He stood up abruptly, then slumped back down.
"Without retribution for good or evil, the cosmos must hold a bias."
"Master, naturally rewarding good and punishing evil is a grand virtue of the human realm, but if you meddle too much, I fear you will not meet a good end."
"An excessive sense of justice will only harm you.
"In this life, it's better sometimes to be muddled."
If Yi Chen could listen to his cheap disciple's inner voice right now, he might just laugh. Apprentice, you think too highly of your master.
He had no intention nor the strength and courage to cleanse the entire world; doing what he could within his power, if he encountered evil, sweeping it out was the extent of his duty.
He was never traditionally perceived as a 'good person'; otherwise, why would Bai Yunzi, on his deathbed, say he had a heavy heart and a wicked hand?
But he was not an unfeeling, mad sociopath either. He was a person with a bottom line, willing to do a small deed for the greater benefit of the world.
If it weren't so, Bai Yunzi, who couldn't tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes, would have expelled him from the sect long ago.
Yi Taoist has always been a not so good 'good person', and not so bad 'bad person'; his true colors never changed.
.....
.....
At the Wu family estate.
The banquet and dance began.
Dong dong dong dong.
As the host, Mayor Wu naturally sat at the main seat.
Yi Chen sat to his left, Master Lianhua to his right, while Chief Zhang, representing the government office, sat behind Yi Chen. Distinguished merchants and guests from Qingyuan Town took their respectful places, each at his seat, partaking in the feast.
"Today, our gathering is graced by esteemed guests; a fine assembly indeed. I, Wu Changshou, couldn't be more delighted that you all could attend today's banquet at my Wu family home."
Yi Chen and Master Lianhua wore smiles on their faces but said nothing, while the others were quick to proclaim their unworthiness.
Wu Changshou continued,
"Especially this Yi Taoist sitting below us, who is the distinguished disciple of Bai Yunzi from Hidden Dragon Temple, adept in Daoist arts. He has expelled the evil spirits that plagued our Qingyuan town, restoring trade to its former flow. Let us all toast to Taoist Yi Chengzi and Master Lianhua."
"Good!"
"To Taoist Yi Chengzi!"
"To Master Lianhua!"
The atmosphere surged as everyone heartily agreed, with flattery flowing like a tide. Yi Chen was even more social, draining his cup with each toast, which left Chief Zhang utterly dumbfounded.
Master, you truly do not disappoint.
As round after round of toasts passed, the ambiance grew increasingly warm.
Yi Chen, his face flushed with alcohol, took the opportunity to stroll to Mayor Wu's side, clapped him on the shoulder, and addressed him as "Old Brother." He said if any malevolent spirits cause trouble again, just send someone to notify Hidden Dragon Temple, and he would surely take care of it thoroughly.
Mayor Wu was beaming with delight at these words, praising Yi Chengzi for his straightforward nature. He didn't notice, however, the fleeting trace of faint purple Pure Yang Inner Qi that passed when Yi Chen patted his shoulder.
If Yi Chen's Minor Pure Yang Skill were still at the fifth level, he would have never dared to do such a thing.
But ever since Yi Chen's Minor Pure Yang Skill broke through to the sixth level, his control over Pure Yang Inner Qi had reached a wondrously subtle level. He was confident that even if Master Lianhua kept a constant eye on him, he might not detect his slight movements.
Naturally, Mayor Wu was even less likely to notice. In the midst of the celebratory banquet, Yi Chen unnoticeably added a few more flattering pats, further inflating Wu's ego. Wu felt like the brightest star of the evening.
What he didn't realize was that this undetectable Inner Qi had already begun eroding the blood vessels connected to his heart. On the surface, it seemed like nothing was amiss, but in reality, the vessels had become fragile. The moment his excitement became excessive or he took any stimulant drugs, the pressure on his heart would spike dramatically.
If several more exciting incidents occurred, Mayor Wu was bound to die within three days.
The cause of death, windstroke!
Even the most skilled coroners would fail to trace any clue.
There existed a way to survive, which was abstinence and nurturing health, avoiding anger and desires.
However, considering Mayor Wu's infamous lecherous nature, this was exceedingly difficult.
"Continue the music."
"Continue the dance!"
Mayor Wu was too delighted that day. With a clap of his hands, another group of dancing girls entered, clad in sheer veils, their graceful movements making even Yi Chen take a few extra glances.
Surprisingly, the mayor of a mere Qingyuan town was so lavish as to afford so many dancers.
Deserving its reputation as Fengyun County's trading hub, it truly was wealthy.
Hmm, and his taste wasn't bad either, not a single unpleasant sight to be seen—a detail that earned Yi Chen's approval.
Time at the banquet flew by, and as the phrase goes, all gatherings must come to an end. Two hours later, the guests dispersed.
The mood throughout the banquet was wonderful; the dancing girls performed excellently. Yi Chen mingled comfortably, taking stock of the wealth of the various magnates present to know how to price his services when they came seeking aid from Hidden Dragon Temple for evil spirits in the future, haha.
Of course, there were regrets. He never got a chance to see Mayor Wu's daughter-in-law, whose beauty was said to be extraordinary—a missed opportunity that left him feeling incomplete.
How Yi Taoist lamented his unfulfilled curiosity!
But having some regrets in life is normal. Perfection can be less beautiful, and a breeze can easily scatter these minor disappointments.
Outside the Wu estate, Mayor Wu clung to Yi Chen's sleeve, reluctant to see him leave.
He found Taoist Yi Chengzi to be an extraordinary person.
Pleasant in conversation, profound in Daoist arts, some words striking right to his heart. Despite their brief acquaintance, they seemed like old friends.
Wu handed out two envelopes, one each to Yi Chen and Master Lianhua, saying,
"I, Wu, have always respected Daoists and Buddhists. Thank you for your assistance this time, gentlemen. Here is a small token of my appreciation, please accept."
Yi Chen exchanged a smile with Master Lianhua and took the envelope first.
Master Lianhua also accepted his with a smile.
Sometimes, the details and alacrity are revealed in these seemingly trivial acts.
Although Yi Chen felt capable enough to take Master Lianhua in a fight, after all, Master Lianhua was his master's friend and a senior.
How could you let a senior initiate, taking a red packet before you? Is that proper?
If he doesn't take it first, how could Master Lianhua follow?
If neither of them take it, how would the temple and Daoist sanctuary progress?
Maintenance for the ever-burning lanterns and temple repairs, they all cost money.
See, now everyone is in harmony.
If not earning from the wealthy, whom do you plan to exploit? It's simply wrong.
Feeling the envelopes, Yi Chen knew at a touch that inside were two fifty tael banknotes for him, while Master Lianhua's envelope, he estimated, contained only one.
This was the premium Yi Taoist earned through his exceptional professional skills.
"Mayor Wu, you're too kind. There's no need for a send-off. Our paths will cross again in the future," Yi Chen graciously bowed to Wu Changshou and said.
However, inwardly he added to himself, if you indeed have a future.
After bidding farewell, Master Lianhua departed first.
Yi Chen, eyeing the rosy-cheeked Mayor Wu, pinched the envelope and laughed, "This humble Daoist knows a bit of medicine. Mayor Wu, you must not be as rash as in your youth. Such behavior is detrimental to your health."
Winking, he turned and strode away laughing.
"A maiden fair at twenty-eight, a body soft as curd; girdle-bound, her sword could cut down any foolish cur."
"Openly, you see not heads fall; in secret, you let men's marrow dry."
Mayor Wu laughed even brighter behind him.
Yi Chengzi Taoist could even spin poetry off the cuff—he truly was extraordinary, so extraordinary, wondrous in person and verse alike.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone