Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: The Officials' Butts
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Li Tianqing cautiously made his way into the turban shell's interior. The space inside was fairly spacious, about two zhang wide at its broadest point and over two zhang high.
After walking more than ten steps inward, the space gradually narrowed. Turning a bend, it shrank to just one zhang, and after two more turns, it could barely accommodate a single person standing upright.
Chen Shi's Gluttonous Heaven-Swallowing Technique didn't actually shrink people or objects. In fact, those affected by the technique underwent no change whatsoever. What transformed was the vessel of the spell itself.
If cast on a water basin, the space inside would expand immensely. If on his own sleeve, it would become like a vast cloth sack.
Chen Shi had applied it to the turban shell. The shell itself hadn't grown larger, but its internal space had, allowing them to hide inside.
"This technique consumes quite a bit of qi and blood. I wonder how long Little Ten can hold out."
Li Tianqing was worried. If Chen Shi couldn't maintain it, the shell's interior would revert to normal, and they would instantly burst it open, exposing themselves to the Heavenly Granny Society and Fei Tianzheng's group!
They would be at their mercy then.
"Sir, there's still some leftover food in the pot. It tastes pretty good."
A voice came from outside. "I'll have someone heat it up."
"Mm."
"Add some mushrooms to the soup. That way you can eat more."
It sounded like Governor Fei Tianzheng. "Share some with the men outside too."
Inside the shell, Chen Shi and Li Tianqing exchanged a glance.
These people were clearly starving. Even though it was leftovers from Chen Shi's group, they were still reheating and eating it.
Chen Shi blinked, thinking to himself: "Are the mushrooms they're eating real mushrooms, or ones grown from human flesh?"
From the voices outside, the group that had arrived in the village numbered around a hundred. Apart from Fei Tianzheng and a few Heavenly Granny Society incense masters and instructors, the rest were mostly from the twelve great families.
For so many to still be alive was impressive in itself.
Chen Shi carefully extended a foot, touching the ground, then slowly crept outward with the shell.
Seeing this, Li Tianqing's heart leaped to his throat, fearing he might make a mistake and get spotted.
People bustled about in the courtyard. Staying in the shell forever would be risky—they could easily get stepped on.
Chen Shi couldn't see outside, so he inched forward slowly, trying to reach the wall.
Once at the wall, in the shadows, it would be hard to be noticed.
"Strange, we still haven't found those people."
At that moment, Instructor Wu Daozheng's voice rang out.
"They definitely haven't gone far. If they escaped, Heavenly Granny would sense it."
Fei Tianzheng asked, "Still no sign of the Blood Tai Sui?"
"No."
"Not only is the Blood Tai Sui gone, but Minjiang Granny is missing too."
Wu Daozheng continued, "And that rabbit—we didn't catch it either."
Hearing this, Chen Shi thought: "Hall Master Yu wasn't caught? That's good news! But her fish must have run out long ago. How did she survive?"
He suddenly recalled that Yu Tiangong could live off mushrooms and felt a bit relieved.
"Wu Daozheng, go search again. See if you can find anything edible."
Governor Yan Jiuling's voice came. "The previous residents here ate fish, so there must still be some in the Min River. Take a few good swimmers to the riverbank and fish some up."
"Yes!"
Wu Daozheng hurried out.
Chen Shi strained toward the wall corner. Then Fei Tianzheng's voice sounded.
"What to do about Wu Daozheng?"
Chen Shi froze.
Wasn't Heavenly Granny Society Hall Master Wu Daozheng one of their allies? Why were they suddenly discussing how to deal with him?
Fei Tianzheng sighed. "Wu Daozheng has been loyal, but we must deal with him."
"The Golden Body Buddha has taken root and absorbed the other mushrooms' nutrients. The demonic transformation is nearly complete."
"Once it ends, the court will surely send people to investigate Gongzhou."
"They never bother investigating us normally—Gongzhou's fine as is."
"But once they do, nothing in Gongzhou is fine."
Everyone felt a chill.
They knew better than anyone what a mess Gongzhou was.
In the past, these great families had turned a blind eye to the Heavenly Granny Society, Canal Veterans Society, Salt Veterans Society, and other gangs while guarding their patch of land in Gongzhou. This led to rampant corruption, scams everywhere.
Other places might refine one Myriad Soul Banner at most—Gongzhou could make three or four!
Those banners were made from the souls of the scholars who died in the farms!
The court never investigated Gongzhou before, but after the demonic transformation ended, they definitely would!
Then, with their dirty records, everyone would end up at the vegetable market for execution!
Commandant Yang Gui said, "Governor Fei is right."
"With the Golden Body Buddha mature and the transformation over, our thirteen families have survived except for the Gao family's total wipeout. Before the court investigates, we must wipe our asses clean—or we're all dead!"
Censor Zhang said leisurely, "The Heavenly Granny Society is a dirty ass. So are the Canal Veterans and Salt Veterans. They all need cleaning."
Magistrate Ma said, "What about Red Mountain Hall? They've never done evil. On the contrary, they maintained order for us, rooting out evils everywhere. They helped a lot right before the transformation too."
Eunuch Cen nodded. "Red Mountain Hall can stay. It'll be to our credit."
"You're both wrong!"
Deputy General Jiang sneered. "Red Mountain Hall's a dirty ass too! They gave you all plenty of silver every year. When the court investigates, one slip and we're all done! The Ming law says embezzling sixty taels gets your head on a spike! You all know how much you've taken."
The officials' faces grew awkward. Eunuch Cen laughed. "Who hasn't embezzled these days?"
Deputy General Jiang said, "That's the law! This transformation needs someone to take the blame, someone to be the scapegoat!"
Fei Tianzheng said, "It's settled then."
"Wipe out the Heavenly Granny Society, Canal Veterans, Salt Veterans—no exceptions for Red Mountain Hall! What do you two think, Lord Cen, Lord Ma?"
The two bowed their heads. "The governor is right."
"It's decided."
Hiding in the shell, Chen Shi felt a pang of sorrow for the survivors, thinking: Wu Daozheng and Heavenly Granny are still busting their asses for these lords, oblivious that they've already been sold out clean.
But was the demonic transformation really ending?
"One more thing."
Governor Yan Jiuling said, "Who takes the blame for the transformation itself? The Great State-Protecting Temple isn't to be trifled with."
Everyone fell silent.
The Great State-Protecting Temple was a Buddhist holy site, teeming with experts. Zen Master Bitter Bamboo was just one of the strongest.
If they revealed the truth—that it was Bitter Bamboo's demonic transformation—the temple's retaliation would be beyond their endurance.
"These big officials seem so lofty usually, but when push comes to shove, they're all hesitant and timid!"
Unbeknownst to himself, Chen Shi had reached the wall. He carefully edged toward the drainage outlet along the base.
"How about we say it was rogue cultivators?"
Tea and Horse Office Lord Gu's voice came from the courtyard. "Those rogues do evil all the time anyway—no harm in one more crime."
"Excellent! Excellent!"
Everyone clapped and laughed.
Chen Shi slipped out the drain, and suddenly his foot met empty air. The shell tumbled down from the wall corner.
His heart jolted, but he didn't dare move.
There were too many experts in the courtyard—Fei Tianzheng, Xia Chuli, Yan Jiuling, and others from the great families, all at Spirit Descent or Void Refining Realm. If exposed suddenly, Blackie Pot might not save them!
He heard footsteps heading out of the courtyard, his heart in his throat.
Just then, a child picked up the shell from the ground and held it to his ear, as if listening to the wind inside.
He was a little boy, clearly favored and well-protected to have survived this long—his family must have gone to great lengths.
Blackie Pot dashed to the shell's entrance and whispered into the boy's ear.
The boy giggled and bolted forward clutching the shell.
"Yan Hao, don't go far!"
Governor Yan Jiuling's voice called.
The boy replied.
Moments later, Blackie Pot whispered again. Little Yan Hao carried the shell to the village entrance, set it down, and ran back.
Chen Shi exhaled in relief and stepped out of the shell.
The instant he did, his ant-sized body abruptly returned to normal.
Li Tianqing, Red Mountain Lady, Blackie Pot, and the wooden cart followed, all reverting and marveling in amazement.
Little Yan Hao watched from afar with wide-eyed curiosity, wondering how people and a cart could emerge from a turban shell.
Chen Shi waved at him, then urged the wooden cart to flee.
"Must find Minjiang Granny and Hall Master Yu!"
Chen Shi thought urgently. "These officials are cutting bridges after crossing—we have to warn them to prepare!"
The cart reached the Min River bank, where Heavenly Granny was churning the waters, mouth agape, tongue lashing out to coil toward a massive fish in the river!
That fish was Minjiang Granny!
Wu Daozheng and several incense masters teamed with Heavenly Granny to besiege her. Sealed by Chen Shi as Min River Dragon King, Minjiang Granny swung her staff, whipping up towering waves that clashed with Heavenly Granny.
Heavenly Granny grunted, unable to withstand it. Wu Daozheng swung his Skull Primal Yang Heart-Questioning Hammer; skulls flew out, diving into the water to gnaw at Minjiang Granny.
The other three incense masters unleashed their nascent souls, piercing the waves to slay River Granny!
Seeing this, Chen Shi rushed forward without hesitation, shouting, "Quick battle!"
Red Mountain Lady shot ahead faster, whistling to the forefront and slamming a palm into Wu Daozheng's back!
Wu Daozheng spat blood and flew forward, only to be swept by Minjiang Granny's staff before landing.
He heard his ribs snap crisply.
Then Red Mountain Lady and Min River Granny struck upward and downward as he hurtled back—but aimed at Heavenly Granny!
With a boom, Heavenly Granny's forehead caved in, her divine form blasted out!
Minjiang Granny's true body leaped from the river, her massive tail whipping Heavenly Granny's face.
Red Mountain Lady's heavy blow shattered Heavenly Granny's divine form!
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing charged the three incense masters, each offering their golden core. Waves surged under Chen Shi's feet, boosting his speed—he was behind one in an instant!
That was the new Breeding Hall incense master, Pang Zhen, his nascent soul lunging at Minjiang Granny, too late to defend.
Chen Shi was right behind him.
But his realm far outstripped Chen Shi's.
Chen Shi's golden core was black, only four revolutions—five short of nine, let alone the leap from core to nascent soul. He didn't take it seriously.
His divine shrine flew out from behind, divine embryo pinching sword mudra to unleash a spell on Chen Shi!
Chen Shi's palm struck.
"So fast!"
Before the spell could erupt, Chen Shi's palm printed his back. Palm force exploded, dozens of tiny fireballs invading his body!
Boom!
Pang Zhen's body burst apart in chunks!
Chen Shi didn't stop, riding a wave skyward, shaking his sleeve. It instantly ballooned, sucking the Breeding Beasts Hall incense master upward.
He reacted swiftly, recalling his nascent soul.
His body was pulled toward Chen Shi's sleeve, but his nascent soul whistled back, stabbing at Chen Shi's brow!
The nascent soul was fast—Chen Shi faster. Sword qi madly shot from the mini-temple behind his head; in moments, the incense master's body was riddled with holes!
His nascent soul lost control, grazing Chen Shi's cheek before exploding. The river surface erupted in a wave over ten zhang high!
On the other side, Li Tianqing's jade wheel aura battered the Bee Numb Hall incense master, wounding him badly but unable to finish quickly.
That master recalled his nascent soul mid-return. Chen Shi pointed; thunder rolled from the nine heavens.
Alarmed, he tried dodging—then his neck chilled, head flying.
In that split-second daze, Li Tianqing's jade wheel severed it.
"Go, quick!" Chen Shi shouted.
Red Mountain Lady and Minjiang Granny swooped in. Min River Granny's true form carried them roaring through the water; the wooden cart sped unmanned on the bank.
At the same time, Fei Tianzheng, Xia Chuli, Yan Jiuling, and Gongzhou's bigwigs soared into the air, looking down.
"No need to search—it's come without effort!"
Fei Tianzheng laughed. "Minjiang Granny and Red Mountain Lady, both here."
"Looks like we can eat for a long time!"
Chen Shi's heart raced. From afar, he saw mushrooms sprouting large and small on these officials' bodies, faces, heads—far from their former elegance.
Just then, a earth-shaking rumble came from Gongzhou City. Chen Shi glanced hurriedly: in the city center, the Golden Body Buddha's colossal mushroom wheel piercing heaven and earth was collapsing!
That deafening roar was the Mushroom Paradise crumbling!
"The transformation... succeeded?" Chen Shi's eyes widened.
Fei Tianzheng and the others ignored Chen Shi, staring at the city, faces flickering.
The mushroom wheel's collapse meant the Golden Body Buddha had fully absorbed the "nutrients." The demonic seed had ripened into a true demon!
The ceaseless golden light in the sky dimmed. The demonic domain's power was fading.
The demonic domain was vanishing!
Wu Daozheng, coughing blood and ragged, flew to Fei Tianzheng's side. "Sirs, those kids with Minjiang Granny..."
Thud.
Fei Tianzheng palmed down; Wu Daozheng's head exploded, nascent soul shattered. The corpse plummeted.
Fei Tianzheng calmly wiped blood from his hand with a handkerchief. "Gentlemen, time to wipe our asses."
End of chapter.