Gin, Vodka

This was Zhou Ming's best opportunity to act, but it was also a weakness.

He was a master of the Xiantian Realm, yet he felt uncomfortable upon seeing a corpse?

However, this weakness was masked by his identity and past experiences.

As the adopted son of a Grand Secretary, a pampered young master, he had joined the Quanzhen Sect at the age of ten and only returned after ten years of training.

For the past six months, he had hardly clashed with anyone or any faction.

Given such a life experience, it was understandable that he felt uncomfortable seeing a corpse, having never personally killed anyone.

Here, Zhou Ming had originally planned to have his attending maid order the corpse to be taken away.

But he hadn't expected Jiang Long, a constable who knew his way around the bureaucracy, to be so considerate. Seeing the situation, he had preemptively ordered his constables to take the corpse away.

The Perfect Qi didn't take effect immediately because Zhou Ming had wrapped it in his own true qi before sending it into Boss Qian's body.

This way, the Perfect Qi would only take effect after his true qi was depleted.

This prevented the Perfect Qi from acting immediately and being discovered.

This wasn't a weakness at all; martial arts masters always send a wisp of true qi into their enemies to examine them.

Following this, Luo Ma's true identity was exposed, and Lu Xiaofeng led everyone to find Yue Qing and his daughter. Naturally, many constables would be accompanying them.

In the end, only a few constables were left to guard the corpse, so there was no need to worry about being discovered.

As for what happened afterward, there was no need to mention it.

The final result was that Lu Xiaofeng saw Boss Qian, who had regained his youth.

He went around asking questions with that portrait.

The more he asked, the more he doubted his own existence.

It's worth mentioning that Zhou Ming had also left his Mark on the portrait, so for the past few days, no matter where Lu Xiaofeng went or whom he asked, he could see Lu Xiaofeng's confused and conflicted expression.

Every time he saw it, Zhou Ming couldn't help but burst into laughter.

This had become his only source of joy these past few days.

It even gave him the thrill of watching a live stream in his previous life.

"However, Lu Xiaofeng is Lu Xiaofeng. Once he figures it out, he'll definitely discover many problems. The biggest problem here is this novel of mine!"

Zhou Ming thought to himself, "Then I should prepare for Lu Xiaofeng to come and ask questions."

But in reality, Lu Xiaofeng didn't come immediately.

The next morning, Qianjin Pavilion.

"I've always wanted to ask, why is it that every time I come to find you, you're fishing?"

"I've also always wanted to ask, why is it that every time you come to find me, it's in the morning? In fact, I usually only fish in the morning, cultivate in the afternoon, and do other things at night."

"Well, that's quite a coincidence..."

Lu Xiaofeng said, "I'm used to finishing all my tasks and then enjoying everything with the remaining time. But sometimes, some things can't be resolved immediately...

For example, yesterday evening, I wanted to come find you, but I thought it was getting late and the timing was wrong, so I didn't. So, this morning, I came to find you right away."

"So, what do you need me for?"

Lu Xiaofeng took out a book, which was Zhou Ming's novel 'Famous Detective Lu Xiaofeng,' and asked, "Why does the mysterious organization in your book have a youth-restoring medicine?"

"Because they're researching it. The villainous organization I set up, its boss is an old man on his deathbed who wants to regain his youth."

"Then, what kind of wine is Gin?"

"There's no such wine. It's just a wine I fabricated in 'Eight Drinks of the Wine Immortal.' It pairs best with the sound of the qin, hence it's called Gin."

"'Eight Drinks of the Wine Immortal'?"

"That's another book I wrote... It has nothing to do with this book."

"Then what is Vodka?"

"'Водка,' meaning 'a small amount of water.' It's a language from the northern Rakshasa Country. You know, it's freezing there, and people need things to keep warm. Strong liquor perfectly suits their needs. Later, when distillation technology was passed on, the people there created extremely high-proof liquor, which is 'Водка'!"

Lu Xiaofeng was surprised, "You even understand the language of Rakshasa Country?"

"Just a little bit."

Zhou Ming gestured with his hand and said, "In fact, I plan to use the names of alcoholic beverages as codenames for all the high-ranking members of this organization. But honestly, the names of alcoholic beverages in our region are generally too few.

Moreover, we've heard them so often that they feel too close to life and lack a certain prestige. So, I referenced alcoholic beverages from other countries, especially those in the Western Regions, the Eastern Sea, and the Arctic."

"You're truly knowledgeable!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

Zhou Ming said, "But why are you suddenly so interested in the novels I write? You even want to delve into the settings with me? I'm telling you, I'm not going to give any spoilers!"

Lu Xiaofeng closed the book and asked, "Do you think such an organization... could really exist?"

"Hmm..."

Zhou Ming thought for a moment, looked up at the sky, and said, "Perhaps... You know, there are actually many organizations in this world, big or small, strong or weak, overt or covert. And immortality, rejuvenation, and the like are often things that most people in high positions desire."

So, I think there must be many, many organizations researching this. Perhaps somewhere, an organization or an individual has discovered the true secret to regaining youth?"

He said quite seriously, "You also know that my adoptive father has a very strong force under him. Perhaps there's a group of people within this force who are researching a medicine for regaining youth!"

It was neither an affirmation nor a denial.

But this kind of answer completely cleared him of suspicion.

Lu Xiaofeng secretly sighed in his heart.

Then, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although not getting an answer was a bit disappointing, it was also good news.

So many monarchs, emperors, kings, marquises, generals, and even leaders of various forces, big and small, in this world yearned for immortality and regaining youth.

If such a divine medicine truly appeared in the world, then everyone related to this divine medicine would likely be caught in a vortex and die without even a trace left!

"You say, if there really was such an organization in the world that created a divine medicine for regaining youth, and it just so happened... or if some coincidence occurred, that Boss Qian obtained this divine medicine..."

As Lu Xiaofeng spoke, he noticed Zhou Ming turn his head and look at him with a complex expression, as if to say, 'Are you crazy?' 'Have you taken your medicine?' 'I really want to see what you'll say next.'

He was so angry he almost slapped him.

"What's with that look?! I'm being serious!"

Lu Xiaofeng said angrily, "Although the three of you have verified it, I still feel that Boss Qian isn't dead."

"Not dead?"

Zhou Ming frowned, "If that's the case, the problem becomes serious?"

"Yes, the problem is serious..."

"No, you don't understand! If Boss Qian isn't dead, then that means..."

Zhou Ming said sternly, "...the competition between you and me, you lost! So... go dig earthworms for me! Hahahahaha..."

"Screw you!"

Lu Xiaofeng fiercely grabbed a handful of fish bait from the side, scattered it into the lake, and then turned and left.