Chapter 330 - 321: Clue, Panxiang Temple

Chapter 330: Chapter 321: Clue, Panxiang Temple

The *Spirit and Body Cultivation Book* was exceedingly profound and mysterious regarding the method for breaking through to the Heart Intent Realm.

Every Martial Artist’s studies, experiences, and philosophies were different, so the Heart Scene they each condensed was unique.

Consequently, the methods for a breakthrough were bizarre and varied.

Some wished only to survive in a chaotic world, some wished to protect others, some desired freedom from all restraint, and some lusted for wanton destruction...

In summary, one had to constantly look inward and ask questions, to comprehend one’s true nature and discover what one truly desired. Once that focal point was found, one had to continuously solidify and strengthen it until Heaven and Earth themselves could perceive the existence of that will.

And then, perhaps in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, one might achieve an epiphany and break through.

’What do I want?’

Fu Juemin gazed at the book’s description, his fingers lightly stroking the saber in his palm as he tried to question himself.

After a moment, however, he shook his head.

’I want too many things, more than I can count.’

He raised his hand and waved. The Secret Manuals on the table flipped shut on their own and stacked themselves neatly in a pile.

Fu Juemin sat down, casually setting the Exorcism Saber aside. He picked up the lukewarm cup of tea from the table and took a sip.

Just then, a man hurried in from the garden.

"Spirit Lord, Mr. Gu has finished his work."

It was Mu Feng, now considered Fu Juemin’s most trusted subordinate.

"So quickly?"

Fu Juemin paused, the teacup still raised, a hint of surprise on his face.

Gu Shouyu, of course, had been busy performing the Filth Loading procedure.

He had been studying the *Nine Spirits Filth Loading Technique* for a long time and had gained some insights, so Fu Juemin had simply let him try it firsthand.

But according to Mu Feng and the others, a typical Filth Loading procedure took at least three days. He had only been practicing his saber in the garden for a little while. ’How could Gu Shouyu possibly be finished already?’

"Let’s go have a look."

Fu Juemin picked up the Exorcism Saber from the table, casually hung it at his waist, and walked out of the garden with Mu Feng.

On the way, Mu Feng reported, "...The matter of the dead Royal Banner Envoy and Royal Banner Tributor seems to have been swept under the rug. It must be thanks to Prince Lv’s influence. Now, the whole city is busy hunting down the traitors of the Banner-cutting Alliance..."

"We just received word that the power plants the Northern Army commissioned two years ago are now complete. It looks like the date for the Wuchen Grand Competition will be moved up..."

Hearing this, Fu Juemin stopped in his tracks. "The Nine Banners’ Wuchen Grand Competition has something to do with electricity?" he asked, intrigued.

"I don’t know for sure,"

Mu Feng shook his head. "Perhaps it’s needed for the operation of the Trapped Dragon Array.

"The idea came from Sang Luo National Preceptor. Back then, the National Preceptor even accompanied Prince Che of the Royal Banner to personally receive the Westerner craftsmen who helped build the power plants..."

"What is the Nine Banners’ general attitude toward Westerners and things from the Western World?"

Fu Juemin asked casually.

"Naturally, all Westerners deserve to die. But until our great cause is complete, there’s no harm in making use of them.

"In the early years, the leadership strictly forbade any items from the Western World from entering the Nine Banners, fearing they would dilute the Dragon Vein Qi of our National Fortune. But these days, enforcement isn’t as strict."

Mu Feng frowned. "Many of the younger generation within the Nine Banners have secretly taken a liking to all sorts of Western fads...

"Last year, Tingzhou brought a Western woman home. I killed her that same day and threw her body out for the dogs.

"Westerners... even using them for Alchemy would bring bad luck!"

Fu Juemin just smiled, treating Mu Feng’s words as little more than a morbid joke.

Just then, Mu Feng lowered his voice again. "Since the news about the Wuchen Grand Competition being moved up came out, I’ve noticed that Ning Yuan and Chaha Shuo are privately quite displeased with you..."

"Oh?"

Fu Juemin asked noncommittally.

Mu Feng replied, "Both of their families have lost their Sacrificial Demon Officials. They’re afraid that after the competition, the Royal Banner will hold them accountable, strip them of their official posts, and cut off their annual Salary of Human Pills entirely..."

Fu Juemin listened, giving Mu Feng a knowing, humorless smile. Mu Feng quickly lowered his head.

"And what are your thoughts on the matter?"

"I have no thoughts on it."

Mu Feng said respectfully, "I trust that the Spirit Lord has already made plans."

"Clever."

With a satisfied smile, Fu Juemin reached out and patted Mu Feng on the shoulder.

As his hand fell, Mu Feng’s expression visibly settled, his anxiety easing.

Fu Juemin, however, sighed to himself. ’Plans? What damn plans do I have?’

’Still, the Helers clearly know I killed the three families’ Sacrificial Demon Officials, yet they don’t seem to care in the slightest. If anything... they’re the ones who truly have a plan.’

After a moment of thought, Fu Juemin asked, "Has a Demon Fiend kept by one of the Banners never died before?"

"It’s rare."

Mu Feng replied, "If a Demon Official dies suddenly, for any reason, the Banner Race it belongs to will be punished.

"Either their official status is revoked and the Royal Banner grants a new Demon for someone else to serve, or...

"...they have to find a way to buy another Demon themselves and slowly nurture it."

"Where could one possibly buy a Demon Fiend?"

Fu Juemin was a little taken aback.

"The Dark River."

From Mu Feng’s explanation, Fu Juemin learned that this "Dark River" was essentially a special kind of black market.

The Dark River’s influence was immense, its tendrils reaching across the land. From human trafficking to Demon Fiends, from munitions to all sorts of items from the Western World... if you could think of it, they could almost certainly get it for you.

Different goods were paid for with different currencies. Some required Human Pills, some gold and silver, and others silver coins...

The Nine Banners had a hand in the Dark River, but the powers actually involved were likely far more numerous than just them alone.

Fu Juemin and Mu Feng chatted as they walked. Just as they were approaching the chamber designated for the Filth Loading procedure, Mu Feng suddenly had good news.

"We have a lead on the person you asked us to find, Spirit Lord."

Mu Feng said, "It’s a small temple, located in the Yingjing East Suburbs. Although it’s not called the Spiritual Light Temple, a Mad Monk lives there year-round. The locals say he calls himself Huai Hai and that he really did come from the Celestial Blessing Temple all those years ago..."

"Oh?!"

Fu Juemin stopped at the door to the Filth Loading chamber, his eyes flashing as a peculiar expression crossed his face.

.....

「Five minutes later, inside the Filth Loading chamber.」

Inside the secret chamber, which was filled with the curling smoke of sandalwood, Hong Huan and Xu Chu sat shirtless in chairs. Gu Shouyu stood before them, holding a small notebook, constantly asking them questions as he observed and recorded their answers.

"I thought you were already finished,"

Fu Juemin said as he watched Gu Shouyu work. Cao Tian, Zhang Yi, and others stood nearby; Fu Juemin had specifically brought them to observe.

He wanted them to understand what the Filth Loading technique entailed so they could decide for themselves whether to attempt it.

"How could it be that simple?"

Gu Shouyu shook his head. "Filth Loading is inherently dangerous, let alone performing it a second time.

"This time, I’ve only implanted a tiny amount of the Demon Rhinoceros Blood and Flesh into their bodies to let them begin to acclimate."

"If there are no adverse reactions after three days, we will proceed with the official Filth Loading."

"You’re a clever one. It seems you’ve learned a thing or two from the Westerners’ methods and put it to good use."

Fu Juemin remarked with admiration after listening. He then walked forward and gently placed a hand on both Hong Huan and Xu Chu.

Both men had already undergone one Filth Loading, which had fixed the path of their Martial Dao. However, a second procedure could raise their upper limits once more, so they were both filled with anticipation.

A small piece of Demon Rhinoceros Blood and Flesh, the size of a fingernail, had been harvested by Fu Juemin himself with the Exorcism Saber and implanted by Gu Shouyu. One piece was "planted" in each man’s thigh and armpit.

Aside from needing the willpower to resist the clash between the consciousnesses of two different Demon Fiends, the greatest risk of a second Filth Loading was the loss of Vitality.

With his fingers resting on their shoulders, Fu Juemin could already perceive their Qi Blood being consumed. Their already limited Vitality was beginning to drain away even faster.

Of course, at this stage, the loss was negligible. Hong Huan and Xu Chu were undergoing this second Filth Loading not just for Gu Shouyu’s practice; Fu Juemin also wanted to see if the Innate Primordial Liquid in his own body could truly replenish another person’s Vitality in place of a Human Pill.

If it was feasible, he could begin the Filth Loading transformation for the remnants of his Ghost Camp.

As for Cao Tian and Zhang Yi, it was their own choice. If they were unwilling, Fu Juemin wouldn’t force them. If they were willing, he wouldn’t even hesitate to teach them the *Pharmacist Skill* and personally guide them.

"Then I’ll leave you to it."

Fu Juemin withdrew his hands and said to Gu Shouyu in a level voice, "I need to go out. I’ll do my best to return within three days.

"If I don’t make it back in time, don’t wait for me. Just proceed with the Filth Loading..."

"Where are you going?"

Gu Shouyu stopped writing and asked instinctively.

"Not far, just in the suburbs."

Fu Juemin turned to Mu Feng, who was standing beside him. "What was that temple called again?"

Mu Feng answered respectfully, "Panxiang Temple."