Chapter 405: Don’t Worry, I’m Not a Good Person!
Lin Beifan could see through the abilities of the unscrupulous Taoist at a glance. While he might have some skills, like refining certain elixirs, he certainly couldn’t create the elixir of immortality.
Furthermore, the other party was well aware of their own capabilities and relied on elixirs to deceive and swindle others. They would continue doing so as long as they could get away with it, and they would be as greedy as they could be.
“Now they’re talking about refining the elixir of immortality; it’s possible they’ve already had their fill and plan to run! Or it could be that the Great Yan Emperor couldn’t wait any longer and is forcing them to create the elixir of immortality.
Once the deception can’t continue, they’ll move on to another target.
The elixir of immortality is something they won’t be able to concoct for sure!
Lin Beifan pondered in his heart.
Regardless of the possibilities, the Taoist would try to escape, and Lin Beifan couldn’t allow that.
“This scoundrel is useful; we can’t let them get away!” Lin Beifan called for the Night Fragrance who was accompanying him and said, “Night Fragrance, can you do me a favor and go to the Great Yan Capital to take care of something?”
With a snap, Night Fragrance opened the folding fan in his hand and, fanning himself, said hesitantly, “You’re asking me to go that far? Prime Minister, aren’t you making things difficult for me? Let me tell you, I won’t do anything without benefits!”
“Don’t worry, this time it’s really interesting, beyond your imagination!” Lin Beifan grinned and said. “Oh, what is it?” Night Fragrance asked curiously.
“Let me tell you…” Lin Beifan leaned closer to his ear and explained the situation.
Night Fragrance’s eyes gradually lit up. “Prime Minister, rest assured, I’ll make sure to handle this matter properly!”
That day, he immediately displayed his supreme lightness skill and rushed to the Great Yan Capital.
Great Yan Capital, the residence of the National Teacher.
At this moment, the Empty Void Daoist and his young disciple were busy packing their belongings.
“Disciple, hurry up! Leave behind those large, cumbersome items; pick the small valuables that are worth a fortune. Everything else can be abandoned!” The young disciple looked at the room full of gold, silver, and jewels with great reluctance. “But Master, we’ll lose a lot of money this way!”
“If we lose money, so be it. It’s better than losing our lives, isn’t it?”
“Master, can’t we just stay?” Empty Void Daoist let out a sigh and smiled bitterly. “Disciple, even I don’t want to leave, but we have no choice now!”
“Master, why?” the young disciple asked in confusion. Empty Void Daoist coughed and said, “Originally, with our abilities, we could have comfortably lived in Great Yan for a few more years without any problems! But who would have thought that the situation in Great Yan would change so rapidly?”
“After the ice disaster, the people rebelled one after another, and they all blamed us! They said we were the bringers of misfortune, confusing the current emperor and officials, and they searched everywhere for wealth, making people’s lives miserable, full of hardship and calamities!”
“The key issue is that under such circumstances, the emperor has become impatient and has given us a deadline to create the elixir of immortality! But how could we possibly create such a divine medicine?” Empty Void Daoist looked bitter. “If we can’t produce the elixir of immortality, the lie will be exposed, and the entire Great Yan won’t tolerate us. We’ll undoubtedly be torn to pieces by the emperor! So, we must escape, or it’ll be too late to save ourselves!”
The young disciple listened, terrified, and said, “Master, you’re right, we need to flee!”
At that moment, a sardonic voice echoed in their ears, “Escape? Where do you plan to escape to?”
Both of them in the room broke out in cold sweat.
Empty Void Daoist vigilantly scanned the surroundings and shouted, “Who’s there? Who’s playing tricks? Show yourself!”
With a sudden bang, the door swung open, and a white figure swiftly entered. Standing before the two, he snapped open a folding fan with a mischievous smile and said, “It’s said that arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right time. I didn’t expect to overhear such a top-secret conversation; this trip wasn’t in vain!”
“Who… who are you?” Empty Void Daoist asked warily.
In his small sesame-green eyes, a hint of profound hostility lurked. “That’s a good question! I am who I am. I haven’t changed my name or surname. I am the renowned Night Fragrance of Great Wu!” Night Fragrance said with great pride.
“You’re Night Fragrance!” Empty Void Daoist and his disciple exclaimed in surprise.
Seeing their reactions, Night Fragrance chuckled and said, “It seems you know my name, and I’m quite pleased about that! Haha…”
But at that moment, Empty Void Daoist suddenly launched an attack, filled with overwhelming murderous intent. Night Fragrance swiftly dodged with graceful ease, waving his finger while saying, “Empty Void Daoist, you better not make a move! Even Greatmasters couldn’t catch me. You don’t have the ability. Do you know why I’m here?”
“Why?” Empty Void Daoist asked cautiously.
Night Fragrance continued fanning himself and said with pride, “I’m here on the orders of the Great Wu Prime Minister, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Army, the loyal and brave King Lin Beifan!”
“Lin Beifan!!!” Empty Void Daoist exclaimed once again.
He could never forget this man because it was this man who forced them to flee from Great Yan.
Furthermore, the other party had been holding onto his weakness all along. As long as this weakness was exposed, he would undoubtedly be torn apart by the Great Yan Emperor and the entire court.
Empty Void Daoist felt a sense of impending doom and asked, “Why did he send you here?”
“Why he sent me here is something you should already understand!” Night Fragrance said with a sly smile. “He told me to tell you that if you want to continue keeping his secret, you’ll have to pay the corresponding price!”
Empty Void Daoist closed his eyes in despair; he knew this day would come sooner or later. This insatiable corrupt official would never let him go.
“How much does he want?” Empty Void Daoist asked.
“He wants as much as you have. He’ll take all of these,” Night Fragrance pointed to the room full of gold, silver, and jewels. “That should satisfy his appetite.”
Empty Void Daoist sighed deeply, “His appetite is insatiable!”
Night Fragrance’s mouth twitched, “Indeed, his appetite is huge. Even the priceless treasures that I painstakingly stole with great difficulty were swindled away by him! Even I fell into his trap, so you’d better cooperate obediently. Otherwise, if he reveals your secrets, you’ll bear the consequences!”
Empty Void Daoist’s expression was uncertain.
At this moment, his brain flashed through dozens of plans, but he rejected them all one by one. Because none of these methods would work unless he could escape from Great Yan immediately or possessed the strength of a Greatmaster-level expert. Otherwise, he was doomed.
Empty Void Daoist reluctantly threw the two packages he was holding onto the ground, “Take them!”
Night Fragrance opened them and smiled, “That’s a wise choice!”
Then, Night Fragrance made several trips back and forth, finally emptying the room of its gold, silver, and jewels.
Empty Void Daoist watched, feeling like his heart was bleeding. These were treasures he had spent over half a year acquiring, risking his life, and using all his cunning to swindle.
He had thought he could succeed and retire in comfort, but in the end, everything became someone else’s bridal gown. In other words, he had offended every level of Great Yan, and he didn’t gain anything.
“Lin Beifan, you damn it, I am sworn enemies with you!!!” Empty Void Daoist’s eyes were filled with rage.
The young disciple looked at the empty room, his eyes devoid of hope, “Master, should we still run?”
Empty Void Daoist clenched his teeth, “Of course, we must run when necessary!”
Just at that moment, the door creaked open, and Night Fragrance casually strolled in.
Empty Void Daoist and his disciple both jumped in surprise.
Night Fragrance quickly said, “Relax, I’m not a good person…”
Empty Void Daoist and his disciple: “…”
“Sorry, I misspoke!” Night Fragrance slapped her forehead. “Although I used to be a thief, I’ve turned over a new leaf. I’m now a cat who specializes in catching thieves!”
Empty Void Daoist suppressed his anger and said, “Why have you come again? There’s nothing left here for you!”
Night Fragrance fanned himself while smiling mischievously and said, “Of course, I know that. But I still have one more task; I need you to act in a little play for me.”
“What play?” Empty Void Daoist asked.
At this moment, Night Fragrance suddenly made a move, and Empty Void Daoist resisted.
In terms of strength, both of them had fourth-rank cultivation, making them evenly matched. However, Night Fragrance’s lightness skill and speed, combined with the small knife that Lin Beifan had given him, gave him the upper hand. He quickly subdued Empty Void Daoist and pressed his acupoints.
His young disciple was similarly subdued.
“What do you want, Night Fragrance?” Empty Void Daoist growled.
“Didn’t I just tell you? I want you to play a role for me! Don’t worry; the acupoints will release in an hour. I’m off!” With that, he left.
When he reappeared, he had transformed into the appearance of Empty Void Daoist.
With an air of solemnity, he arrived at the gates of the palace and said, “Gentlemen, I, the humble one, have important matters to report to His Majesty. Kindly relay the message.”
“Yes, Your Eminence!”
Shortly after, Night Fragrance met with the Great Yan Emperor inside the palace.
“Venerable One, what brings you here so late?”
Night Fragrance said with an air of solemnity, “Your Majesty, I, the humble one, have observed the celestial omens and felt inspired. I believe that seven days from now will present an auspicious opportunity for creating the elixir of immortality!”
“So, I intend to observe a seven-day fast and prepare myself in tranquility at the mansion before concocting this divine medicine! This matter must not be taken lightly, so I humbly request that Your Majesty assign some skilled guards and court attendants to protect my residence. I am profoundly grateful.”
Upon hearing this, the Great Yan Emperor was very pleased, “Very well! Venerable One, please make the necessary preparations. I will arrange everything else for you!”
“Thank you for your gracious favor, Your Majesty!” Night Fragrance bowed.
An hour later, the acupoints on Empty Void Daoist’s body finally released. The imperial edict and a meter-high guard arrived.
“By the imperial decree: Seven days from now, the Venerable One will create the elixir of immortality. The Venerable One will observe a seven-day fast and prepare in tranquility at the mansion. His Majesty is deeply gratified and has dispatched court attendants and skilled guards to safeguard the Venerable One’s residence. So decrees the Emperor!”
Empty Void Daoist was completely stunned.
Seven days from now, I’m supposed to create the elixir of immortality? Why wasn’t I informed about this?
Even if I am to concoct it, why would I need skilled guards to protect me?
Is it because they’re afraid I’ll run away?
Empty Void Daoist tried to inquire subtly, but in the end, he was infuriated beyond measure. “It must be Night Fragrance! This person actually impersonated me and gave advice to the Emperor. This is a death trap for me! I am sworn enemies with you!!!”
