" I had heard a little of it," Ji Zhen said. "Among the Way of Peace's Foundation Establishment methods, there is one called the Three Corpses Severing Method."
"Those who succeed possess both literary and martial excellence."
"The Way of Peace?" Chu Danqing had not expected this matter to be connected to the Way of Peace.
"Precisely. The Three Corpses, Six Bandits, and Nine Worms—these three Foundation Establishment methods advance step by step. They may be cultivated separately or further cultivated in sequence."
"It is said that if all three methods are perfected, they form one of the finest Foundation Establishment methods under heaven." Only after Ji Zhen shifted into a more comfortable position, easing the suffocating pressure of his clothes, did he continue.
"I don't know about that." Chu Danqing shook his head, then said, "Previously, I..."
He summarized Lu San's and the Man-Faced Black Panther's circumstances, explaining the characteristics of the three drastic changes in temperament.
Hearing this, Ji Zhen stroked his beard and said, "Sir, are you saying that I was tainted by one of the Three Corpses, which is why I became fond of lavish clothing?"
"That's right," Chu Danqing said.
"Then does Sir have a solution?" Ji Zhen asked with a beaming smile, as though he did not care in the slightest.
Yet Chu Danqing's expression filled with helplessness. "I do not."
In truth, he had a solution: kill Ji Zhen outright.
On closer thought, aside from the Man-Faced Black Panther, the Three Corpses had not yet displayed any truly heinous behavior while inhabiting people.
Lu San's temperament had changed drastically, but he was spending his own money, not stealing or robbing anyone.
As for possibly turning to crime once he ran out of money—that was a matter for the future. They could not condemn someone simply because they might do something.
Then ninety-nine percent of the people in the world would be guilty, because the word "might" was far too vague.
"Since that is the case, there is no need to concern ourselves with it." Ji Zhen smiled. "My Ji Estate has great wealth and vast holdings. We do not lack enough lavish garments for this old man to wear."
"That is true," Chu Danqing acknowledged. "But one must prepare for the worst. What if there are future consequences?"
"Yes, Father. Why don't I ask the Way of Peace?" Ji Yun felt Chu Danqing had a point.
The Ji Family still held considerable status in Yangxian County. It would not be difficult to invite someone to resolve the matter.
"There is no need for such trouble." Ji Zhen merely waved a hand in refusal. "This method is not something ordinary followers can obtain. There has been no word of any high-ranking Way of Peace members in Yangxian County."
The meaning behind those words was obvious: it could not be resolved.
Ji Yun only grew more anxious upon hearing them.
Chu Danqing did not continue persuading him. He cupped his hands and said, "Since Elder has made his own decision, I shall not disturb you further."
"Still, for the sake of everyone in the Ji Estate, this trouble should be resolved as soon as possible."
"If Elder does not mind, I can inquire within the Lu clan and see whether there is anything that may help."
He intended to leave. There was little point in staying, and judging by Ji Zhen's demeanor, neither of them could persuade him.
"Then many thanks, Sir. I have no way to repay the grace of saving my life. We should visit each other often and grow closer." Ji Zhen spoke warmly, then had Ji Yun see Chu Danqing out.
With a guest present, Ji Yun could only preserve the Ji Family's dignity first. After sending Chu Danqing away, he returned and was about to continue persuading his father when Ji Zhen spoke first.
"This Attendant Chu is one of your few true friends." Ji Zhen spoke unhurriedly. "He is honest and kind. Do not be stingy and miserly toward him."
"If you ever fall into trouble, he will certainly be one of those willing to lend you a hand."
"People like him cannot be won over by profit alone. You must treat them with loyalty and sentiment."
With that, Ji Zhen slowly departed with someone supporting him.
"Father, you..." Ji Yun wanted to say something, only to discover that Ji Zhen had already gone far away, looking nothing like the uncomfortable man from before.
In that instant, he realized he could not see through his own father.
Meanwhile, Chu Danqing boarded a carriage and headed toward the Lu clan.
Five hundred thousand coins placed with the Lu clan was no small sum. Thus, after returning, he immediately went to seek the Lu clan head, Lu Peng.
Instead, he was told that Lu Peng had gone out on business and would need some time before returning.
Seeing this, he could only turn to seek Lu Yin instead.
When Lu Yin heard that five hundred thousand coins could buy one thousand shi of grain, his face was full of surprise.
"For my elder sister to invite Attendant Chu into our Lu clan truly shows that our fortune runs deep."
"My father personally went to the Ji Family to buy grain and returned empty-handed, yet Attendant Chu managed to obtain one thousand shi. I, Lu Yin, am impressed," Lu Yin said with emotion.
This was practically like finding buried treasure.
"Luck, just luck," Chu Danqing said modestly, then took the opportunity to ask about the Three Corpses.
"Attendant Chu is interested in the Three Corpses? I happen to know a thing or two." Lu Yin smiled. "The Three Corpses are also the Three Poisons."
"The Superior Corpse delights in splendid adornments and is called the Squatter. The Middle Corpse delights in fine flavors and is called Zhi. The Lower Corpse delights in lust and is called Qiao."
"The teachings of the Three Corpses came from the human volume among the three volumes of the Book of Great Peace, which the Way of Peace Master received from the August Heaven."
"Thus came the Three Corpses Severing Method." Lu Yin introduced the Three Corpses to Chu Danqing, mixing in some intelligence regarding the Way of Peace as well.
From this discussion, Chu Danqing understood why the Lu clan, a great aristocratic family, could be treated by the Paradise as a faction.
Ji Yun knew little about the Way of Peace, but Lu Yin knew it like the back of his hand.
Seeing this, Chu Danqing explained the situation to Lu Yin.
Lu Yin smiled. "Attendant Chu, rest assured."
"Though the Ji Family is inferior to my Lu clan, Ji Zhen is no less capable than my father. A mere Superior Corpse Squatter cannot do anything to him."
"His lifespan is nearing its end. He is using this to pave the road for Ji Yun."
Hearing this, Chu Danqing immediately understood. It was not that Ji Zhen did not want to remove it; the Superior Corpse Squatter was useful to him.
"However, since Attendant Chu has spoken of it, my Lu clan cannot be stingy either."
With that, Lu Yin had someone bring paper, ink, brush, and inkstone. He wrote a note and stamped it with his private seal.
"Xiao Cui, go to the storeroom and bring a Glass Heart Cleansing Pill." Lu Yin handed the note to a maid beside him and instructed her to retrieve it.
"After noon, when the grain is handed over, present it to Ji Zhen as a gift and give him a helping hand."
Under ordinary circumstances, one thousand shi of grain was nothing to the Lu clan.
But this was a time of disaster, and no one knew when it would end. Grain had therefore become exceedingly important.
Chu Danqing did not know the value of the Glass Heart Cleansing Pill, but since even Lu Yin needed to write a note and stamp it, it was surely quite valuable.
Still, it was not for him, so Chu Danqing could not very well ask about its effects.
"Young Master Lu, one thousand shi of grain is no small amount. Transporting it from the Ji Family back to the Lu clan will inevitably be too conspicuous on the road. I fear it may stir unrest," Chu Danqing reminded him.
Lu Yin explained in response to Chu Danqing's concern, "The Wine Jug Hermit, Xie Liyang, whom our estate supports, is renowned not only for his skill in fire escape and his love of brewing wine. What he is proudest of is his wine gourd containing a World in a Gourd."
"There is no need to make a great fuss over transporting grain."
Chu Danqing felt that the gap between the upper and lower limits of this Trial World was somewhat enormous.