Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Threads of Suspicion

At this moment, Di Kang Nian’s face was flushed with delight. He had never dreamed that a humble place like Jinshan County could deliver such a marvelous surprise. Licking his lips greedily, he said in a lustful voice, “So, County Magistrate Zhou sent you here?”

Yu Qing Cheng hid her smile behind her sleeve, lightly casting her phoenix eyes toward Di Kang Nian as she replied coyly, “My Lord, naturally we were sent by the County Magistrate to serve you. Please do not disappoint Magistrate Zhou’s thoughtful gift.”

Di Kang Nian’s joy increased upon hearing this, and he immediately waved his hand, saying, “Haha! Very good, come inside, all of you. Show me your skills, and if you serve me well, I’ll take you back to the capital.”

“Yes, My Lord,” the four answered perfunctorily, following him into the chamber.

Liu Hao Tian was the last to enter, turning to close the door firmly behind him, sealing off any curious gazes.

Once the door shut, the servants standing around finally regained their senses, whispering quietly among themselves.

“His Lordship truly has incredible luck this time. Four exquisite beauties at once!”

“Indeed! Wherever His Lordship goes, beauties always surround him. Alas, poor Madam must arrange accommodations yet again.”

“What choice does she have? Magistrate Zhou truly sent a perfect gift this time.”

“Just look at them. I daresay all the beauties in His Lordship’s back courtyard combined can’t compare with these four. Wherever did County Magistrate Zhou find them?”

“Why worry about that? As long as his official position is secure, his subordinates have plenty of ways.”

“Come on, let’s go. His Lordship will surely stay busy with these beauties all night; he won’t be leaving the room anytime soon. We should enjoy ourselves too!”

“Right! We’re not personal attendants anyway. Let’s go drink!”

With that, the off-duty servants excitedly dispersed, leaving only a handful of guards standing solemnly at the door. Though their ears burned from the faint laughter drifting from within, none dared peek inside. They knew well their master’s temperament—any suspicion of lustful thoughts toward his women would bring them certain death.

Yet the reality within the room was nothing like the sounds escaping from it.

Yun Xi and her companions sat leisurely in seats reserved for honored guests, while Di Kang Nian stood before them, eyes glazed and expression vacant.

Dian Dian circled Di Kang Nian, sniffing intently as if searching for something important.

Liu Hao Tian studied Di Kang Nian’s face thoughtfully.

Yu Qing Cheng spoke with disdain, “Just an embroidered pillow, flashy on the outside, rotten within. His face clearly shows he has indulged himself excessively; how repulsive.”

Xia You also looked down on such a person. Curious, she asked, “Has the mortal world truly fallen so far? A man like this becoming an imperial censor—how sad for whoever placed him in power.”

Yun Xi, however, shed her earlier indifference, beckoning Dian Dian back and turning seriously to her companions, “Dian Dian says that this Di Kang Nian once had contact with a demonic cultivator. The encounter was too long ago to track any further.”

Yu Qing Cheng and Xia You both turned solemn, their brows knitted together as they muttered, “It seems there truly are demonic cultivators plotting schemes in the mortal realm. Perhaps they believe no high-ranking cultivators would linger here long, making them fearless.”

Liu Hao Tian, meanwhile, began counting on his fingers as if calculating something mysterious. The three others fell silent, watching him closely.

When he finished, Liu Hao Tian turned to them, declaring, “This Di Kang Nian’s fate has clearly been manipulated. His natural destiny is neither wealthy nor powerful enough to hold such high office. Something is wrong here.”

Yun Xi quickly added, “Dian Dian mentioned contact with demonic cultivators. Perhaps they offered him a chance to change his destiny in exchange for something valuable to them.”

“Why not just ask him?” Xia You suggested.

“If only we could use Soul Search,” Yu Qing Cheng sighed regretfully.

“He’s a mortal and couldn’t endure it. If he died here in Jinshan County, Magistrate Zhou would face trouble,” Yun Xi explained, smiling as she began rummaging through her storage bag.

She remembered she had once drawn some Soul-Bewitching Talismans, capable of temporarily controlling lower-level cultivators by causing brief confusion. Back then, she had created them merely for practice, but with her powerful divine sense, she had never actually needed them. Now, however, they had found their use.

After searching briefly, Yun Xi pulled out a first-rank talisman.

Yu Qing Cheng’s eyes lit up immediately, recognizing it. “Younger Sister Yun Xi, isn’t that a Soul-Bewitching Talisman? I didn’t expect you’d have such a thing.”

“It was just practice, collecting dust in my storage bag. I never thought I’d actually use it,” Yun Xi said lightly, flicking the talisman onto Di Kang Nian’s chest.

Moments later, Di Kang Nian’s dull eyes regained some clarity, though he gazed at the four with complete obedience.

Liu Hao Tian asked directly, “Ten years ago, did anything significant happen in your family?”

Di Kang Nian pondered a moment, replying, “We relocated our family tomb.”

“Why?”

“My father received advice from a master, who said there was a blessed feng shui spot. If our ancestors were buried there, their descendants would prosper, gaining wealth, high ranks, and smooth official careers.”

“And how did your family fare afterward?”

“After relocating, our Di family slowly flourished. Particularly in the last decade, many family members rose to official positions. My own branch thrived especially well, and now I hold the rank of imperial censor.”

“The master who guided you—did you ever see him again?”

“No.”

“Since he helped your family so greatly, did he ask anything in return?”

“No reward was mentioned at the time. He simply asked that we promise him a favor, without specifying when or what it would entail.”

Yun Xi shook her head slowly in disbelief. Clearly, they had blindly promised a favor without knowing the cost, an easy path to ruin.

“What brings you to Jinshan County this time?”

“To worship ancestors and collect bribes along the way,” Di Kang Nian admitted without hesitation.

“So your family tomb is near Jinshan County?”

“Yes, close by.”

Yun Xi, curious, asked, “Then why do it so secretly?”

“Many people know how our family prospered and covet the location of our tomb’s excellent feng shui. Usually, we perform rites at our ancestral hall instead of visiting personally. This time, my father specifically asked me to come.”

Having finished questioning, Liu Hao Tian nodded, “Tomorrow we shall visit the Di family tomb. I suspect it holds the answers we seek.”

“Agreed,” the others echoed.

Yu Qing Cheng casually waved her sleeve, causing Di Kang Nian to collapse onto the floor in sleep. The four took over the room, each meditating quietly throughout the night without the need for rest or food.

Yet outside, Di Kang Nian’s subordinates imagined their master enjoying the company of four beauties through the night, so thoroughly pleased he could hardly walk.

When Magistrate Zhou heard the rumor, he sighed with relief, knowing his position was secure. Beside him, Madam Yu fretted anxiously, “The four immortals are celestial beings. If Di Kang Nian truly takes advantage of them, wouldn’t that be disgraceful?”

“You’re worrying unnecessarily,” Magistrate Zhou reassured her. “That fool probably can’t even touch their clothes.”

“Good. I just hope that plague leaves our county quickly.”

“Don’t worry,” he smiled knowingly. “I’ve secretly informed families with beautiful children to stay indoors until he’s gone.”