Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Taiyi Generating Water

Xiao Zongting and Xiao Yu, though reunited for only a little over an hour, felt as if they had experienced life and death; both couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

"Yu’er, who kidnapped you? I must skin him alive!" Xiao Zongting said angrily.

Xiao Yu wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and said, "It was Wei Yutian. Duan Rong saved me." As she spoke, Xiao Yu glanced at Duan Rong with a smile.

Along the way, Duan Rong had already explained the general situation to Xiao Yu.

Duan Rong said with a smile, "No need for Elder Xiao to skin him alive; Wei Yutian has already been killed by Shen Yanliu."

Duan Rong roughly explained Wei Yutian’s affiliation with the Filthy Blood Sect, listening to which Xiao Zongting clicked his tongue in disbelief.

Duan Rong observed Xiao Zongting’s expressions, wondering if Ruan Fengshan was the Squad Leader of the Filthy Blood Sect, could the Yuan Shun Escort Agency be a hideout for the Filthy Blood Sect?

Duan Rong’s Divine Sense penetrated through Xiao Zongting’s body, clearly seeing his damaged Dantian; at this moment, the Artifact Spirit devoured from the Bloodstained Copper Awl had already been fully absorbed.

He had gained quite a bit of insight into the mysterious aspects of the Filthy Blood Divine Skill.

The Filthy Blood Divine Skill can cure various hidden ailments; if Xiao Zongting cultivates it, his damaged Dantian might have already recovered.

Furthermore, Duan Rong didn’t believe that Xiao Zongting would cultivate such a sinister art, especially with Xiao Yu being kidnapped by Wei Yutian; it seemed that at least the Xiao family members within the Escort Agency were normal and trustworthy.

Duan Rong followed Xiao Zongting and Xiao Yu back to the Xiao family’s courtyard; he checked Zhu Xiaoqi’s injuries again, and after taking a Medicine Pill and sleeping, Zhu Xiaoqi’s fever had subsided.

Xiao Yu used Golden Wound Medicine to re-bandage Zhu Xiaoqi’s wounds.

Duan Rong checked Zhu Xiaoqi’s pulse and found there was only a small amount of residual poison in her body; she should be fine after taking another pill tomorrow.

Duan Rong took his leave, Xiao Yu personally escorted him to the door, looking at him with devotion. Duan Rong naturally noticed Xiao Yu’s affection, but he only bade farewell properly and politely.

Xiao Yu stood at the door, staring blankly at Duan Rong as he left, faintly sensing his subtle coldness.

Duan Rong returned to Liu’s House, exhausted in both mind and body, too tired even to wash up, he climbed onto the bed and fell asleep instantly.

Duan Rong had just slept for an hour when the door of Liu’s House was knocked noisily from outside; Duan Rong turned over and hid under the quilt, unwilling to pay attention to the person disturbing his sweet dream. However, he moved his thoughts and swept his Divine Sense toward the outside.

He saw that the person knocking at the courtyard gate was an old government constable.

Though unwilling in his heart, Duan Rong still got out of bed, went out squinting to the courtyard, yawned, and opened the gate.

Duan Rong tilted his head, half-closed his eyes, and asked in a sleepy voice, "So early in the morning, what’s the matter?"

"Master Duan, sorry for disturbing your sweet dream." The constable said with a smile.

Duan Rong opened his eyes slightly and glanced at the old constable, the meaning couldn’t have been clearer. You also know it’s an interruption.

The old constable smiled awkwardly and said, "Master Duan Rong, the County Magistrate has invited you."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong’s drowsiness instantly vanished without a trace. Sweeping his Divine Sense to the constable, he suspected it was Shen Yanliu looking for him, and it turned out he was right.

Duan Rong followed the old constable to the County Office, where Shen Yanliu had already changed into a loose scholar’s robe. He was eating a bowl of bird’s nest stew newly cooked by Ma Chunmin, although he hadn’t slept all night, Shen Yanliu’s eyes were still bright, but there was a deep fatigue in his brows.

As Duan Rong entered, he was about to bow when Shen Yanliu waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities, sit!"

Duan Rong respectfully sat down on a Grandmaster’s Chair below.

"Someone, bring another bowl of bird’s nest!"

Soon, a lovely maid brought a bowl of bird’s nest on a wooden tray and set it on the tea table beside Duan Rong.

Shen Yanliu said, "Master Duan, try this newly cooked bird’s nest."

"Thank you, Magistrate." Duan Rong picked up the bird’s nest and sipped a spoonful with a silver ladle, a rich, fragrant taste spreading on the tip of his tongue.

The taste was naturally excellent, but in front of Shen Yanliu, Duan Rong was cautious of his manners, eating slowly and elegantly.

Shen Yanliu said, "According to time, you’ve been in contact with Su Di for almost half a year."

While eating, Duan Rong was already prepared for Shen Yanliu’s questioning, so he set down his ladle and answered, "Yes, it’s been half a year."

Shen Yanliu looked at Duan Rong and asked, "Apart from Wei Yutian, did she ever mention any other Filthy Blood Sect followers?"

Duan Rong shook his head and said, "She recently started talking about the Filthy Blood Sect to me. Her intention was to lure me into the sect, so her chatting focus was primarily on the Filthy Blood Divine Skill."

Shen Yanliu nodded. He was only asking casually because he had already extracted almost all the information from the case. Asking Duan Rong was just hoping to discover something unexpected; he didn’t really expect to find anything new.

Shen Yanliu said, "Master Duan, your initial report about the Filthy Blood case has merit. I will report this to the sect and request a Merit Order of Taiyi Generating Water for you."

"This Merit Order of Taiyi Generating Water is issued by the sect and granted only to civilians as a reward for significant contributions. Not only will it exempt your land property from taxes, but whether it’s for yourself or your future children, if you want to apply as a Registered Disciple of the Taiyi Sect, this merit order will have a certain benefit and be considered as a priority by the sect."

A couple of days ago, the sect had compiled the preliminary list for Registered Disciple selection; Qin Shuban had organized it and placed it on his desk.

Shen Yanliu had roughly glanced through it; he remembered seeing Duan Rong’s name in the Yuan Shun Escort Agency’s registration list. Because he had some impression of Duan Rong, he remembered it immediately.

Shen Yanliu hadn’t paid much attention initially and just skimmed through the list before setting it aside, planning to wait until Jie Daohan returned from Prefecture City to handle the background checks of the candidates.

Duan Rong felt a chill in his heart when he heard about the Merit Order of Taiyi Generating Water. Having devoured the Artifact Spirit of the Bloodstained Copper Awl in Wei Yutian’s Secret Chamber Mandala, Duan Rong’s understanding of the Filthy Blood Divine Skill far exceeded that of ordinary people.

The strange and unpredictable aspects of it were truly alarming.

Reporting about the Filthy Blood Sect, once it became public, was almost like stirring a hornet’s nest. Should the Filthy Blood Sect target him for revenge and make him a purge target, he would be doomed.

He did not believe he could survive the Filthy Blood Sect’s assassins.

Receiving the Merit Order of Taiyi Generating Water would be tantamount to a death warrant from the Filthy Blood Sect.

Moreover, he had already achieved the Micro Realm of the Inner Breath Realm and was very confident about the Registered Disciple evaluation scheduled for March; Duan Rong did not believe he needed the merit order’s benefit.

Duan Rong cupped his fists and said, "Magistrate, this matter must not be done!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yanliu’s face turned cold, he raised his eyes to look at Duan Rong, and said in a deep voice, "Master Duan, what do you mean by this?"

Duan Rong spoke frankly, "I dare not hide it from the Magistrate, but I’m afraid of the Filthy Blood Sect’s revenge."

Shen Yanliu’s expression changed slightly, he said with a smile, "You need not worry about this matter; both the sect and the County Government will keep it confidential for you."

Duan Rong said, "I have seen the remains of the Filthy Blood Sect followers in the pavilion; they were truly shocking. I must not accept this order, Magistrate, please understand."

Shen Yanliu’s pupils suddenly contracted, he said coldly, "This matter is known by this county. Master Duan, please excuse yourself."

This was a dismissal, and Duan Rong immediately stood up, cupping his fists to take his leave.

Shen Yanliu watched Duan Rong’s departing silhouette, muttering with hidden anger, "Does not know what’s good for himself!"