At the entrance of the crowd-gathering store stood a sloppy Daoist in a black robe, being held back by the shopkeeper.
"This shop is a small business, no credit is extended. Daoist, please pay before you leave."
The Daoist, with his grizzled hair and face full of wrinkles, looked at the shopkeeper and laughed, "Why be so stingy, benefactor? It's just one meal. There's no need to be so petty.
I didn't bring any money, why don't I give you this Spirit Talisman in exchange for the meal?"
As he spoke, the old Daoist took out a crumpled piece of talisman paper from his waist with his chicken claw-like hand. The paper was full of incomprehensible markings, resembling ghost scribbles.
"That won't do."
The shopkeeper, upon hearing the Daoist's words and looking at the crumpled yellow talisman paper, shook his head immediately, "Daoist, please keep that talisman for yourself. Our shop can't afford to offer such things as offerings.
It's not that I am being petty. If you had eaten just some vegetarian dishes and noodles, I wouldn't have quibbled with you. But you ate several large fish and drank two jars of old wine. If every customer were like you, I couldn't keep the shop open."
"Forget it, forget it."
The old Daoist glanced at the crowd, noticing that several young cultivators, who seemed curious and inexperienced, were also watching with interest.
He sighed and said, "I really don't have any silver taels on me. How about this, bring me a basin of water, and I will transform the fish I ate back for you."
"Nonsense, the fish is already eaten, how can you transform them back?"
The shopkeeper was incredulous, "Let me tell you, we have cultivators in Kun City too. We have seen spells before. Don't try to fool me with an eye-blocking technique, or I will report to the authorities and have them break your evil technique."
"Hehe, ignorant man, how can you understand the wonders of my spells?"
The old Daoist lightly laughed, not bothering to argue with the shopkeeper, but urged him to bring a basin of water.
The shopkeeper, doubtful, signaled to the shop assistant.
Soon, the assistant brought out a large wooden basin, filled more than halfway with clear water.
The Daoist freed himself from the shopkeeper's grip, and with a swift motion drew out a treasured sword from his waist, startling both the shopkeeper and the assistant.
"You, you, you… what do you intend to do?"
The plump shopkeeper trembled, thinking that the Daoist might be intending to commit violence.
He looked at the sword in the Daoist's hand, about two feet long, its azure blade like an autumn pond, radiating a chill that made the surrounding air drop several degrees, as if it were the depths of winter.
"Don't be afraid, watch me perform my spell!"
As the Daoist spoke, he waved his sword, and the fish bones and spines from a nearby table, cleaned to the bone, flew into the basin of water.
Then he dipped the barely glowing green sword into the water and started stirring it in one direction.
While the onlookers watched in puzzlement, a splash was heard, and water splashed from the basin.
The crowd craned their necks to see that the bones, which were merely fish spines in the basin, had turned into live fish, each one lively and jumping.
"This…"
The shopkeeper wiped the water splashes from his face with his sleeve, and then cautiously poked at the fish in the basin. They felt real, indeed large grass carps, not an illusion by the Daoist.
In the crowd, Qin Feng smiled faintly.
Clearly, the old Daoist had used some transportation method to move the fish from another place.
As for reviving cooked fish down to the bones, even if such a method existed, it wouldn't appear in a small place like Kun City.
Even the method of reviving the dead requires some life in the bones. Fish bones that had been stewed soft and aromatic wouldn't possibly regrow flesh.
"Daoist, your spell is marvelous, I am impressed."
Another group of young men came forward, bowing to the Daoist.
"Hehe…"
The Black Robed Taoist lightly smiled, sheathing his sword, and returned the salute, "Pardon my display, I am indeed penniless and had to show off a bit.
I am Sage Ling Yun, may I ask your names?"
"We are from the Zhao Family of Tieling County. I am Zhao Jinglei, and these are my clan brothers…"
As the leading youth introduced them, Qin Feng's eyes lit up. Unexpectedly, this youth was from the Zhao Family of Tieling County.
The Zhao Family was the foremost family in Tieling County, with immense power, and reputedly had an old clan leader at the Golden Core Peak. They weren't comparable to a small family like the Qin Family of Kun City.
These youths, bored in the county, wanted to venture out and heard of the case in Kun City. Numerous cultivators had come to investigate.
New to the world and possessing some skills, they decided to visit Kun City to solve the case, hoping to prove to their elders that they weren't all playful heirs but had some ability.
"Ah, Young Master Zhao. No wonder your group has an extraordinary aura, truly from a great family."
Sage Ling Yun's flattering words made the inexperienced young men beam with pride.
"I've long heard of the Zhao Family's old clan leader's profound cultivation. It is said he is nearing a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm, which is truly enviable."
"Ling Yun, your news is outdated."
Zhao Jinglei, with a feigned modest expression, said, "My ancestor started his seclusion months ago. Unless something unexpected happens, when he emerges in a few years, our family will have a Purple Mansion cultivator.
Hmph, then I'd like to see how that Fan Family brat dares to compete with me!"
"Ah? The old clan leader of the Zhao Family has already started his retreat?"
Sage Ling Yun quickly bowed, "It seems congratulations are in order for Young Master Zhao. From now on, Tieling County's great families will undoubtedly be led by the Zhao Family. I shall count on Young Master Zhao when visiting Tieling County in the future."
"No problem, no problem."
Zhao Jinglei said with satisfaction, "Ling Yun, you must be here in Kun City to investigate the case too. Have you found any clues?
"We've been here for two days and haven't found anything. If we just go back like this, it would really be unsatisfying."
"Is that so!"
Sage Ling Yun looked around. Qin Feng saw his sneaky demeanor and quickly hid behind one of the men before he could be seen.
Being young and not fully grown, he easily blended behind the man without leaving a trace.
The old Taoist saw that besides these few young nobles, there were no other cultivators in the crowd and finally felt relieved. He then mysteriously approached the young men, lowered his voice, and said, "Speaking of clues, I do have one."
"Oh?"
The young men were overjoyed: "Daoist, quickly tell us! If we do catch that Evil Cultivator, we won't be greedy for the reward. All the bounty will be yours; just let us take the credit for capturing him."
"In that case, I thank you."
Sage Ling Yun smiled even wider: "When I first arrived, I noticed something unusual ten miles west of the city. However, I was worried about my own strength. What if that Evil Cultivator killed me? That would be terrible. So, I didn't act alone and wanted to find some like-minded Daoist fellows to help."
"Young Master Zhao, if you are willing to assist, catching that Evil Cultivator would be a piece of cake. Once you capture him, your name will surely be known throughout Commandery."
Hearing this, Young Master Zhao beamed with joy.
"No problem, no problem."
Zhao Jinglei smiled as if he had already captured the Evil Cultivator. He was already planning how to boast about his skills to the girls at Baihua Pavilion once he returned to the Commandery.
"As long as we catch that Evil Cultivator, I'll take Sage Ling Yun to tour the Commandery at my expense."
"Wow, Young Master Zhao, how generous."
Sage Ling Yun smiled flatteringly, gesturing for Young Master Zhao and his companions to follow him.
Qin Feng watched their backs, deep in thought.
He felt that this old Taoist named Ling Yun was likely a swindler, trying to deceive these young nobles.
Only these inexperienced young nobles could fall for such a trick. Although Qin Feng had little experience in the cultivation world, he had memories from a past life, making it unwise to treat him as an ordinary young man.
He hadn't experienced con tricks firsthand but had seen some clever schemes.
There was no such thing as a free lunch. If something seemingly too good to be true appeared, it was likely a trap.
Falling into such a trap could result in significant loss.
But Sage Ling Yun was quite daring to scam the Zhao family youths from Tieling. Was he not afraid of Zhao Family's retribution afterward?
Or maybe he was a wanderer who, after tricking Zhao Jinglei and his party, would simply vanish.
If that were the case, the Zhao Family might not be able to catch him.
Though powerful, the Zhao Family's influence was mainly within Tieling County. Outside Tieling, they weren't considered a great force.
Qin Feng let the matter go.
Whether it was Sage Ling Yun or those young Zhao Family members, their cultivation was above his. These matters were beyond what a beginner like him could handle.
If he messed up Sage Ling Yun's plans, the old Taoist might retaliate.
His small physique couldn't endure an attack from that sharp sword.
Qin Feng mingled with the dispersing crowd, wandering around the city for half a day, encountering many cultivators but witnessing nothing remarkable.
After all, most cultivators valued their status and didn't want to be laughed at by ordinary people.
In the evening, Qin Long returned home with a stern face, which startled Qin Feng.
There had been no new incidents, so Qin Long had resumed his normal demeanor. Why was he so grim today?
"Dad, didn't they say that Evil Cultivator was no longer daring to commit crimes? Besides, with the senior sent from the Commandery aiding us, even if the Evil Cultivator escapes, it wouldn't be your responsibility. What are you worried about?"
"You don't understand."
Qin Long frowned: "Though no more pregnant women were harmed these past days, some cultivators were killed."
"Cultivators?"
"Indeed."
Qin Long said solemnly, "Actually, since two days ago, cultivators started getting killed. But because the places were hidden and the bodies buried, we only discovered this due to the many roaming cultivators in Kun City."
"If these deaths were not noticed by these wandering cultivators, we wouldn't have known about this."
"This matter is spreading among a few cultivators and has not reached the common people yet, avoiding public unrest."
At this point, Qin Long looked at his son and continued: "Until the Evil Cultivator is captured, you should not go out. Although you have no valuable magic artifacts or Spirit Stones, the Evil Cultivator might just want to kill for their sinister cultivation."
"Is it that serious?"
Qin Feng was shocked. It seemed staying home would indeed be safest.
"Hmph!"
Qin Long's anger was evident: "That Evil Cultivator hides among the recently arrived cultivators in Kun City. He's adept at disguise, changing his appearance and eluding us."
"Before those killed cultivators met their fate, they were deceived into going somewhere by sweet words. That's likely why they lost their lives."
"It's greedy and foolish. For the government bounty, they believed lies too easily."
"Uh..."
Hearing this, Qin Feng thought back to what he saw in the city earlier that day.
"Dad."
He swallowed nervously: "I might have found that Evil Cultivator!"