"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

"Er, Young Master Zheng, please don’t mind Qing Shisan for being nosy. But dare I ask, this ’building a dungeon’... was it Master Zheng’s order, or your idea?"

Just then, Zizi and a few others, their faces wan and filled with hidden sorrow, passed through the courtyard corridor, heading for the east wing as if to pay their respects to the young master. Zheng Xiu quickly clamped a hand over Qing Shisan’s big mouth. "It was my father’s idea! He’s wanted to do this for a long time!"

Qing Shisan’s gaze drifted to the corridor. Seeing the flock of women, understanding dawned in his eyes. He took a sharp breath, his brow furrowing. "It’s a brilliant idea! But I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep it a secret!"

"Just say we’re building a wine cellar. As for whether it’s a cellar or a dungeon, Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, and my father knows. Who else would dare to spread rumors?"

"Brilliant, Young Master!"

Qing Shisan cupped his hands, his face breaking into a wide grin. He winked desperately at the young master, thinking to himself, ’So the quiet old Master is into this kind of thing!’ Out loud, he exclaimed that it made perfect sense.

As expected of the Zheng Family bloodline, he made it all sound so logical.

His instructions given, Zheng Xiu hurried from the estate, got into a Zheng’s Express Train, and headed straight for the Post Station designated by Feng Bei.

This Post Station was a proper one.

It was for the exclusive use of the Ye Weiyang department and was stocked with the finest horses.

Zheng Xiu got out of the carriage and, after ordering the Zheng’s Coachman to get money from Qing Shisan of the Zheng Family, walked toward the Post Station.

Three people were already waiting at the entrance of the Post Station.

Feng Bei was there, as always, dressed in black robes with a moon pattern, her hair tied back. She stood without a word, as immovable as a mountain.

Like a solitary, proud pine tree.

The other two were talking in low voices.

It was Feng Bei, Yue Yan, and Dou Xie.

Yue Yan and Dou Xie both carried a Black Box on their backs, each containing a fat cat, giving them a professional air.

Zheng Xiu didn’t recognize the shifty-looking youth who kept glancing around; he looked like he was asking for a punch. But when he got a clear look at the other person, his heart skipped a beat. ’This is absurd,’ he thought.

’Isn’t that the head Tailor from my Zheng’s Cloth Shop, Xi’er?’

While Zheng Xiu was reeling in absurdity from a distance, Dou Xie and Yue Yan also noticed the handsome young man walking toward them.

Yue Yan’s expression turned strange. She looked at the silent Feng Bei. "Lord Upper Three, is this the... son of an old friend you mentioned?"

Feng Bei nodded.

Yue Yan asked again, "If Yue Yan may be so bold, that old friend of yours... their surname wouldn’t happen to be... Zheng, would it?"

Feng Bei simply nodded again, confirming everything. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Yue Yan sighed inwardly. ’He really looks like his father.’

Feng Bei hadn’t gone into the details of their reunion, but with just one look, Yue Yan was certain this was Zheng Xiu’s child.

Soon, Zheng Xiu arrived before the three. He bowed his head obediently and said, "Two beautiful big sisters, and this little brother here. I’m Zheng Er. Are we ready to leave?"

Feng Bei must have given them a heads-up, as Yue Yan wasn’t too surprised anymore. She was just curious why Feng Bei had such a deep connection with Zheng Xiu.

She even brought his kid along.

"Call me big brother!" Dou Xie stepped forward, dissatisfied, and clapped Zheng Xiu on the shoulder.

Zheng Xiu glanced at Dou Xie.

His rich experience and professional habits told him that an excellent source of wool was standing right in front of him.

...

"WAAAH! Why do I, the great Constellation Dou Xie, have to be the coachman!"

An hour later.

A rather exquisite horse-drawn carriage was traveling east along the official road.

The one driving was Dou Xie.

Feng Bei hadn’t planned on bringing a coachman for this trip.

At first, Dou Xie had a few objections.

But when Feng Bei got near the horse, it neighed pathetically, as if it had seen a ghost;

When Yue Yan mentioned with a smile that she had accidentally made an extra small-sized, deluxe men’s burial shroud last night;

And when Young Master Zheng declared, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, that he had never once held a horse’s reins in his life.

So, Dou Xie could only curse under his breath and resign himself to being the coachman.

Feng Bei sat alone on the roof of the carriage, gazing into the distance.

Two Ravens had flown out of the Imperial City, and now they flew alongside the carriage, one on each side.

When a Ye Weiyang Constellation went out on a case, a Soul-Chasing Lamp and Ravens were standard issue.

"Come now, Young Master, tell me."

Inside the carriage.

Yue Yan leaned in closer, a charming smile on her face. "I, Yue Yan, have been with Ye Weiyang for three years, and all I’ve ever heard are the terrifying rumors about Lord Upper Three. This is the first time I’ve heard of her personally taking on a newcomer. What kind of Path have you glimpsed to earn Lord Upper Three’s special favor?"

Yue Yan had initiated the conversation.

Seeing her so close, Zheng Xiu shuffled a few steps away.

No matter how Human he appeared, he wasn’t one, after all. Zheng Xiu was worried this group of Miracle Masters would see through him.

But Yue Yan clearly didn’t see him as an outsider.

"Since Lord Upper Three is mentoring you personally, it’s practically a sure thing you’ll become a Constellation. We’ll be on the same side then, so why can’t you tell me?"

"I... am not a Miracle Master."

Zheng Xiu answered honestly.

"You’re not?" Yue Yan frowned. "How is that possible? Then why would Feng Bei bring you to the Immortal Maiden Temple?"

"Someone in the Zheng Family was afflicted by a Miracle Technique. Sister Feng Bei, like a fairy descended from heaven, a compassionate Bodhisattva, with a heart of pure kindness and natural perfection, righteously stepped in to help."

Zheng Xiu’s voice was loud and filled with childish innocence.

On the roof of the carriage, the corner of Feng Bei’s mouth curved up.

Although he couldn’t see Feng Bei’s expression, Zheng Xiu was certain she had taken it to heart. She always fell for this kind of flattery back in the day. Old Zheng knew exactly what he was doing.

Yue Yan’s lips parted slightly, then closed after a moment. "That seems to violate Ye Weiyang regulations. Ye Weiyang has an ironclad rule: innocent civilians are not to be involved in investigations."

Feng Bei, having heard their conversation from the roof, knocked on it and said coolly, "It’s fine. As long as he remains safe, it doesn’t count as involvement."

"See?" Zheng Xiu pointed upward. "That’s what you call confidence. That’s class."

Yue Yan was momentarily speechless.

Yue Yan had wanted to chat more about their line of work, but hearing that Zheng Xiu wasn’t a Miracle Master, she instantly lost interest. Or perhaps she didn’t dare say more. The rest of the way was silent.

Four hours later.

They were still more than halfway from the Immortal Maiden Temple. There was a tea stall by the official road, where a couple of Wandering Swordsmen from the Jianghu were resting.

The group of four stopped there to rest.

Even if they didn’t need a break, the horse did.

After eating some coarse grain, Feng Bei and Yue Yan said they were going into the woods to pick some wild fruit for the journey and slipped into the forest.

The carriage was parked under the shade of a tree not far off. Dou Xie took advantage of the break to take out his portable ink and brush and began copying a book.

Curious, Zheng Xiu leaned in for a look. The book was titled *Lanxin Ruomeng*. Zheng Xiu vaguely recalled the plot: the male and female leads were from well-matched families, but the independent and strong-willed heroine was dissatisfied with the arranged marriage and refused to go through with it. The second male lead took the opportunity to interfere, leading to a tragic love triangle. The heroine flip-flopped between them until the second male lead died of a serious illness. Finally, with a heart full of sorrow, the heroine married the main lead, bringing along her posthumous child. The main lead happily took in both mother and child, a true case of good things coming in pairs.

The story ended by celebrating the heroine’s deep love and the male lead’s magnanimity, a tale so moving it could shake heaven and earth.

Zheng Xiu asked Dou Xie why he was copying this stuff, and kindly reminded him that children shouldn’t be reading such things.

But Dou Xie, his nose in the air and arrogance plain to see, just snorted coldly. "If you’re not part of the circle, don’t ask about its affairs! Don’t ask so many questions, or you’ll bring trouble upon yourself."

The implication was clear: ’This is the business of us Miracle Masters. What right does a mere young master of the Richest Person have to butt in?’

Zheng Xiu nodded.

Very well.

Old Zheng silently touched his forehead, and the Dice appeared.

The youth, still hunched over, copying the melodramatic novel, didn’t notice a thing.

The flight path of the Ravens in the sky remained normal.

The black cat in the Black Box was snoozing soundly.

No reaction from any of them.

Zheng Xiu became even more certain. It seemed that only when he and his Incarnation were united, like a Human Soul becoming one, would the Ravens or the Soul-Chasing Lamp be triggered.

’In that case, don’t blame me.’

[Taunt]!

The classic trick he used to fleece the Treasure King twenty years ago was now making a comeback.

"Your handwriting is hideous!"

Zheng Xiu’s single sentence instantly enraged Dou Xie. He threw down his paper and brush, his face contorting in fury as he roared and charged at Zheng Xiu.

Zheng Xiu threw a punch, using only twenty percent of his strength.

Dou Xie met it with his face.

THUD!

As if hit by a carriage, Dou Xie was sent flying several meters, blood rushing up into his nose.

[You executed a straight punch with perfect form, landing it on your opponent. Your Fist Skill has gained a small amount of experience.]

[Your Muscle Strength has gained an extremely thin amount of experience.]

[You used Taunt on someone and successfully provoked their anger. Your ’Taunt’ has gained a small amount of experience.]

After taking a punch square in the face, Dou Xie saw golden stars spinning before his eyes.

When he finally caught his breath, Dou Xie was completely dumbfounded.

’He’s fucking ten years old?’

Dou Xie refused to believe it.

He was sure of it—this kid must have lied about his Age!

Old Zheng was amused. Since his opponent was being so proactive, he happily tossed out another [Taunt].

Dou Xie charged again, his fists clenched.

Halfway there, he was overcome by a bizarre, inexplicable rage. He didn’t know why; he was just angry.

THUD THUD THUD THUD.

After being sent flying a dozen times by the ten-year-old, Dou Xie saw Young Master Zheng’s mocking smile, and his fury finally exploded. He whipped out a book.

WHOOSH!

In an instant, a terrifying pressure erupted from Dou Xie’s body. His hair whipped about as if in a gale, and his presence was incredibly intimidating.

"Hmph! If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you won’t even know how to spell ’death’! Today, I, Dou Xie, will teach you the meaning of ’Conveying the Way Through Words’!"

Dou Xie flipped open his hand-copied book and roared at Zheng Xiu:

"VILE CREATURE! SUR! REN! DER! NOW!"

In truth, Zheng Xiu had been watching Dou Xie’s every move. He hadn’t been concerned during the fistfight, but when Dou Xie pulled out his book, Zheng Xiu had a feeling he was about to use a Miracle Technique.

While Feng Bei and Yue Yan were off in the woods, Zheng Xiu grew curious. He wanted to see how a Miracle Master performed Casting up close.

[You are being Cunning and Deceitful!]

[Thirty!]

[You are in a state of extreme Concentration!]

He hadn’t expected to get a critical success on an [inspiration] roll right then.

[Spiritual Vision Activated!]

With his Spiritual Vision active, the world before Zheng Xiu’s eyes changed once more.

He saw a cyan glow swirling around Dou Xie.

Four large, almost tangible words—[SUR], [REN], [DER], [NOW]—erupted from Dou Xie’s mouth. In the blink of an eye, they twisted and morphed into chains, lashing toward Zheng Xiu from all directions.

Zheng Xiu stared, stunned, as the four large words transformed into chains.

The sight of Dou Xie holding his copied book, his mouth wide open as he spewed forth words of fury, suddenly reminded Zheng Xiu of two words: keyboard warrior.