Chapter Sixty-Five: Day and Night Without Rest

“How many times have you been inside that stone chamber?” Chen Yao set his wine cup down and asked about the ancient tomb.

Wei Daoist pondered for a moment. “If not ten, then at least eight times. Why do you ask?”

Chen Yao grinned. “Why else? I want to go in, hunt for some treasure, and strike it rich. There are so many valuables in that tomb, and if I’m not mistaken, you can only seize treasures from within once every three years, correct?”

Wei Daoist chuckled. “You sure know a lot! But listen, Yao, that Immortal Tomb is unfathomable and strange. If you and your disciples can avoid getting involved, you should. Just let this old man take the risks. I’m getting on in years, perhaps it’s time for me to ascend.”

Chen Yao shot him a glance. “Uncle, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you looking down on your nephew?”

Wei Daoist stroked his beard and smiled. “Take it as you will. With Nianxue and such fine disciples, your focus should be on them.”

Chen Yao understood that Wei Daoist didn’t want him or his disciples to get caught up in this mess.

“That demonic cultivator has harmed so many over the decades. We have a duty to subdue him.” Chen Yao politely refused Wei Daoist’s goodwill. “Besides, I’ve already told you about Yu Menglan’s case. Zilong swore before me to clear her name.”

Wei Daoist gave a wry smile. “You’re just as stubborn as your master. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve taught Zilong to be as bullheaded as you are.”

Chen Yao laughed heartily. “When I was learning the Way, my master’s stubbornness drove me half-crazy. Now that I’m old, I’ve become just like him.”

Wei Daoist nodded slowly, his eyes filled with nostalgia. “Yes, just like him.” He gripped his wine cup tightly. “If he hadn’t been so obstinate, he wouldn’t have ended up with his soul scattered to the winds.”

A pang shot through Chen Yao’s heart. “Though Master’s end was tragic, I believe he had no regrets.”

“Yao, I just fear this burden of cleansing our sect will weigh you down too much.” Wei Daoist poured himself another cup. “Do you think everything happening now is connected to Yuelang?”

Chen Yao analyzed, “From what I know, the Mengpolo Sect is bizarre, but they don’t know how to use demonic melodies to confuse the mind. However…”

Wei Daoist asked, “However?”

Chen Yao spoke in a low voice. “However, Yuelang truly does know the ‘Soul-Stealing Melody’ technique, and he mastered it thirty years ago. That lines up precisely with when Yu Menglan died.”

Wei Daoist nodded. “You suspect he taught the Soul-Stealing Melody to someone in the Mengpolo Sect?”

Chen Yao gave a bitter smile. “If that’s the case, then things are complicated. Yuelang is narrow-minded; he wouldn’t easily teach his arts to others. If he imparted the Soul-Stealing Melody to someone in Mengpolo, it must mean he got something he wanted from them. It could be a powerful magical artifact, or perhaps some strange secret technique.”

Wei Daoist furrowed his brow. “Over these decades, you and Yuelang have crossed paths at least a hundred times. Have you ever seen him use Mengpolo’s magic?”

Chen Yao admitted, “Though I’ve always had the upper hand when facing him, I’ve never managed to capture him. To my recollection, he hasn’t used any of Mengpolo’s secret arts.”

“Mengpolo’s arts are mysterious, but you can easily handle those demonic tricks.” Wei Daoist smiled bitterly. “Yuelang is gifted, but he’s walked a truly crooked path. He’s probably using Mengpolo’s arts for his own misdeeds.”

After another round of discussion, Chen Yao finished his wine. “It’s getting late. I should go back and check on my disciples.”

Wei Daoist nodded, waving a chicken wing in his hand. “Thank Nianxue for me.”

After bidding farewell, Chen Yao went to the safehouse where Ye Dong and the others were staying. He found them practicing Daoist arts under Zilong’s guidance.

“Master,” Wen Xing greeted Chen Yao as he entered, but Chen Yao stopped him with a gesture. “Shh, don’t disturb them.”

Chen Yao knew that for Ye Dong, whose heart had been restless all day, only cultivation could bring him a moment of peace. “Ye Dong is exceptionally gifted. If he can refine himself through this ordeal, he may surpass even Zilong in the future.”

Two hours later, Ye Dong and the others emerged from the room, laughing and cheerful. Seeing Chen Yao, they were delighted. “Master, what brings you here so late?”

Chen Yao smiled, pleased. “I was thinking of you all, so I came to see my talented disciples.”

A warmth spread through the group, except for Zilong, who muttered to himself, “Brothers, this is poison before sleep!”

“These are chicken wings Nianxue made for you. Have a taste!” Chen Yao’s eyes twinkled as he handed the wings to Liang Lingzhi. “Lingzhi, she made this batch especially for you. She asked me to deliver them personally and watch you eat them.”

Lingzhi’s face lit up with joy. “Master, this is too kind! Nianxue, you make such a fuss, but you clearly care about me!”

Xiaobao scoffed, “A man lost in the sea of love is easily drowned.”

Dachun added coolly, “Love comes on like a tornado—it lifts you high, then sends you straight to the afterlife. No need to change flights, it’s quite convenient.”

Liang Lingzhi swayed with pride. “The jealousy reeks from you both. Just admit it!”

He bit eagerly into the chicken wing Nianxue had made for him, but with each chew, his expression twisted more unnaturally. Within seconds, his face was puckered and shriveled, as bitter as a withered gourd.

“Bitter gourd—what did I ever do to you?” he muttered.

It turned out that Nianxue had marinated the wings with “Invincible Chili,” creating a fiery “Invincible Punishment Chicken Wing” as retribution for Liang Lingzhi’s arrogance at the auction.

Unable to endure, Liang Lingzhi finally shouted, “It’s killing me! So spicy!”

He was about to spit out the meat, but Chen Yao interjected, “Lingzhi, Nianxue told me to watch you finish it. If you spit it out, I can’t answer to her.”

Tears and snot streaming down his face, Liang Lingzhi stammered, “Master, tell Nianxue these wings are so good they made me cry. Nianxue, I’ll never show off again!”

After the laughter subsided, Chen Yao checked on each disciple’s progress.

“Though Xiaobao and Dachun aren’t advancing especially fast, their bones are extraordinary, and their foundations solid. Their progress is impressive.”

Pleased by the praise, Xiaobao and Dachun beamed with pride. Liang Lingzhi asked eagerly, “Master, what about me?”

Chen Yao patted his shoulder. “You may not be as diligent in cultivation as the others, but your mental growth is remarkable. If you ever leave the path of Daoism, you’d make a fine actor.”

Liang Lingzhi grinned. “Officer Li praised me too. My ability to switch identities is even better than Ye Dong’s. If I dial back my undercover mindset, my Daoist skills will surely improve!”

The group struggled to contain their laughter as Chen Yao continued, “As for Ye Dong, I must commend him. He’s made tremendous progress lately—he’s mastered the use of True Samadhi Fire and can recite all the incantations by heart. I’m truly gratified.”

Chen Yao understood Ye Dong’s hardship. “The weight of being undercover is immense, and constant tension can drive a person to the brink. For him to turn that pressure into motivation shows real promise.”

What Chen Yao didn’t know was that Ye Dong bore another burden—the secret past of Huiyan, and the matter of Fang Juncai.

Just then, Ye Dong’s phone rang.

“Brother Tian, Boss Wei has set the time and place. Tonight at 3:47, abandoned chemical plant on the outskirts. He says besides you, Lingzhi, and me, you can bring only one more bodyguard and one car. Only I’m allowed a phone; the rest of you can’t bring any.”

After receiving the message, Ye Dong immediately reported to Officer Li.

Officer Li texted back, “For this operation, have Huiyan serve as your bodyguard.”