Gin, Vodka

This had been the best time for Zhou Ming to make his move, but it had also been a flaw.

A martial arts master of the Innate realm like him actually felt uncomfortable at the sight of a corpse?

However, that flaw had been covered up by his identity and past experiences.

He was the adopted son of the Chief Minister, a young master raised in luxury. At the age of ten, he had entered the Quanzhen Sect, only returning after ten years of training.

Over the past half year, he had hardly come into conflict with anyone or any force.

Given such a life experience, it was understandable that someone who had never personally killed anyone would feel somewhat uncomfortable upon seeing a corpse.

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

But unexpectedly, Jiang Long truly deserved to be a constable who had navigated official circles. He was so tactful that, seeing this, he gave the order first and had the constables take the corpse away.

Perfect Qi had not taken effect immediately because Zhou Ming had wrapped it in his own true qi and sent both into Boss Qian's body together.

That way, Perfect Qi would only take effect after the true qi had been depleted.

This prevented Perfect Qi from taking effect at once and being noticed.

This was not much of a flaw. Whenever martial arts masters examined an opponent, they would send a thread of true qi into the other person's body to inspect it.

Shortly afterward, Luo Ma's true nature was exposed. Lu Xiaofeng took everyone to find Yue Qing and his daughter, and naturally, a great number of constables followed along.

In the end, only a few constables remained to guard the corpse, so there was even less need to worry about being discovered.

As for what happened afterward, there was even less need to mention it.

The final result was that Lu Xiaofeng saw the rejuvenated Boss Qian.

He carried that portrait around, asking people about it everywhere.

The more he asked, the more he began to doubt his life.

It was worth mentioning that the portrait also bore a mark Zhou Ming had left behind. Thus, for the past few days, no matter where Lu Xiaofeng went or whom he asked, Zhou Ming could see Lu Xiaofeng's expression of life-doubting confusion and intense inner conflict.

Every time he saw it, Zhou Ming could not help bursting into wild laughter.

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

It even gave him the thrill of watching livestreams in his previous life.

"But Lu Xiaofeng is Lu Xiaofeng. Once he figures it out, he will surely discover the many problems here. The biggest problem is this novel of mine!"

Zhou Ming thought, Then I should prepare for Lu Xiaofeng to come question me.

But in truth, Lu Xiaofeng did not come immediately.

The next morning, at Qianjin Pavilion.

"I have always wanted to ask: why are you fishing every time I come looking for you?"

"I have always wanted to ask: why do you come looking for me every morning? In fact, I usually only fish in the mornings. I cultivate in the afternoon, then do other things in the evening."

"Well, that really is unfortunate..."

Lu Xiaofeng said, "I am used to resolving everything at hand, then using whatever time remains to enjoy life. But sometimes, certain matters cannot be settled immediately...

"For example, I wanted to come see you yesterday evening, but it was already late, so I decided not to come at such an inappropriate time. That is why I came to find you first thing this morning."

"So, what have you come to see me about this time?"

Lu Xiaofeng took out a book. It was precisely the novel Zhou Ming had written, Famous Detective Lu Xiaofeng. He asked, "Why does the mysterious organization in your book possess medicine that can restore youth?"

"Because they are researching it. In my setting, the boss behind the villainous organization is an old man on the verge of death who merely wants to become young again."

"Then may I ask, what kind of liquor is gin?"

"There is no such liquor. It is just one I invented in Eight Drinks of the Wine Immortal. It pairs best with the sound of a qin, which is why it is called gin."

"Eight Drinks of the Wine Immortal?"

"That is another book I wrote... Anyway, it has nothing to do with this one."

"What is vodka, then?"

"Водка means 'a small amount of water.' It is the language of the northern Rakshasa Country. You know that place is freezing cold, and people need something to keep warm. Strong liquor suits their needs perfectly. Later, after distillation techniques reached them, the people there created an extremely potent liquor—Водка!"

Lu Xiaofeng was surprised. "You even know the language of the Rakshasa Country?"

"Only a little."

Zhou Ming gestured with his hand and said, "In fact, I intend to give all the upper-ranking members of that organization liquor names as codenames. But honestly, there are generally too few liquor names on our side.

"Besides, we hear them too often, so they always feel too close to everyday life. They do not sound impressive enough. So I drew inspiration from the liquors of other countries, especially those in the Western Regions, the Eastern Sea, the Arctic, and elsewhere."

"You really are remarkably knowledgeable!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

Zhou Ming said, "But why are you suddenly so interested in the novel I wrote? You are even trying to dig deeper into my setting? Let me tell you, I will not spoil anything!"

Lu Xiaofeng closed the book. "Do you think such an organization... might truly exist?"

"Hmm..."

Zhou Ming thought for a moment, looked up at the sky, and said, "Perhaps it does... You know there are actually many organizations in this world, large and small, strong and weak, open and hidden. And immortality and rejuvenation are precisely the things most people in high positions desire.

"So I think there must be countless organizations researching such matters. Perhaps somewhere, an organization—or a single person—has discovered the true secret of restoring youth?"

At this point, he said quite seriously, "You also know that my adoptive father has a very powerful force under his command. Perhaps within that force, there is a group of people researching medicine that restores youth!"

It was neither confirmation.

Nor denial.

Yet such an answer had completely cleared him of suspicion.

Lu Xiaofeng sighed inwardly.

Yet he also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Though it was somewhat disappointing not to receive an answer, that was also good news.

There were so many rulers and emperors, kings and nobles, ministers and generals, even leaders of forces large and small, all desperately yearning for immortality and rejuvenation.

If such divine medicine truly appeared in the world, then everyone connected to it would likely be dragged into a vortex and die without even a trace left behind!

"You say, if there really were such an organization in the world, one that created divine medicine capable of restoring youth, and it just so happened... or rather, there was some coincidence that allowed Boss Qian to obtain such divine medicine..."

As Lu Xiaofeng spoke, he noticed Zhou Ming turn to look at him with a complicated expression that seemed to say, Are you sick? Did you take your medicine? Let me see what nonsense you can come up with.

It made him so angry that he nearly slapped Zhou Ming.

"What kind of look is that?! I am being serious with you!"

Lu Xiaofeng said angrily, "Although the three of you verified it, I have always felt that Boss Qian is not dead."

"Not dead?"

Zhou Ming frowned. "Then the problem is serious?"

"Yes, the problem is serious..."

"No, you do not understand! If Boss Qian is not dead, that means..."

Zhou Ming said solemnly, "...you lost our contest! So... go dig earthworms for me! Hahahahaha..."

"Screw you!"

Lu Xiaofeng viciously grabbed a handful of fish food from beside him and scattered it into the lake, then turned and left.