Buying Time

After waking from the dream, Meng Huai gently shook Yun Zimo awake and told her what had happened. She, too, fell silent.

After a moment, Yun Zimo asked, "Are you confident?"

Meng Huai shook his head. "Even in the dream, I could feel his power. He really is formidable. I'm not confident, but I've gained seven days.

"No matter how powerful someone who refines gu may be, their Life-Bound Gu is the source of their strength. If we target that, no one is unbeatable."

Yun Zimo's eyes were filled with worry, but she said nothing. As a clever woman, she knew what should be said and what should be left unsaid.

They were eating breakfast when the doorbell rang. Yun Zimo went to open the door and found two men standing outside, dressed like the Men in Black.

Puzzled, Yun Zimo asked, "Who are you looking for? I don't believe we know you."

One of them said with affected coolness, "We're here for Meng Huai. Let us in."

The moment he finished speaking, Yun Zimo slammed the door with a bang, then called from inside, "You've got the wrong address. Leave right now, or I'm calling the police."

The young man froze. He hadn't expected this woman to be so fiery. Did I not look cool enough? That can't be right.

An older man came up from behind them. He was dressed very plainly, like an ordinary citizen heading to the market.

Shaking his head, he said, "You youngsters came here to ask a favor, yet you still dare act so arrogantly. Having the door slammed in your faces is getting off lightly. A few years ago, you'd have been beaten until your teeth were scattered across the floor."

He stepped forward and rang the bell again, then said with a smile, "I'm looking for Mr. Meng Huai. There's something I'd like to consult him about. I hope you'll open the door and let us speak."

Yun Zimo opened the door again. Seeing his mild expression, she said coolly, "My fiancé is eating breakfast. Please come in. The other two can stay outside."

The two young men looked displeased and were about to speak, but the older man waved a hand, signaling for them to stay where they were.

Meng Huai emerged from the dining room and said coldly, "And which official might you be—from the Special Affairs Bureau or the Special Operations Office?"

Zhao Zhen chuckled. "I'm the director of the Dian City Branch Office under the Special Affairs Bureau's Southwest Bureau. It seems you don't have a very good impression of us!"

Meng Huai curled his lip and gave a short laugh. He didn't answer, but his expression said everything.

Zhao Zhen said apologetically, "My two subordinates were out of line just now. I hope you won't hold it against them. I came because more than a dozen people were killed last night."

Meng Huai waved a hand. "That earlier business was trivial. I didn't take it to heart. And let me correct you: those people got what was coming to them. Heaven sees everything people do. I'm tempted to set off firecrackers to celebrate.

"I know why you're here. I'm a Gu Master. If someone breaks the rules, naturally I have to intervene. Whether I can actually handle them is another matter."

Zhao Zhen's face darkened. The retort left him speechless, and inwardly he seethed. Those damned beasts have ruined our reputation completely. Now even asking for help is difficult.

Forcing a broad smile, he said, "I know this is a difficult matter, but the rules are the rules. Whatever wrongs there may be in the mundane world, they can't be resolved through extraordinary means.

"If everyone with a little ability acted that way, wouldn't the world descend into chaos? Besides, justice may be late, but it will come eventually."

Yun Zimo interjected from beside them, "But what good is justice that arrives late? Will it only come after the evildoers have enjoyed all their wealth and luxury and died of old age?"

Zhao Zhen licked his lips, once again left without a reply. These two really were made for each other. Their words packed such a punch that he had no choice but to concede.

Meng Huai wagged a finger. "There's no point arguing with you about this. You're just doing your duty, and we understand that. Even if you hadn't come today, I would have gone to take a look."

Zhao Zhen's eyes lit up, delight spreading across his face. Specialized matters required specialists. To deal with someone using gu, they naturally needed a Gu Master.

He immediately smiled and said, "I knew a Gu Master wouldn't stand by and ignore something like this. The car's outside. Let's go!"

Meng Huai nodded. "Although I don't agree with it, I have to admit you have a point. The rules can never be discarded."

Seeing Yun Zimo following beside Meng Huai, Zhao Zhen looked a little hesitant.

Meng Huai smiled. "My wife normally manages our businesses. When something comes up, she comes with me. You could call her my assistant."

Zhao Zhen murmured his assent. Since he was asking for help, he could only agree. Besides, if her own husband wasn't worried, why should he be?

They arrived at the morgue, where Zhao Zhen spoke to the person in charge. Soon, more than a dozen bodies were wheeled out.

Meng Huai pulled back the sheets. These people had all died with their bellies swollen to the point of bursting. The sight was horrific. Even their internal organs had shattered into a sticky mass.

Meng Huai formed a hand seal with both hands and pressed it against one corpse's chest. His expression showed that his suspicions had been confirmed.

He said in a low voice, "Just like Chang Yanping, they were afflicted with gu, but there are no worms inside their bodies. His methods really are sophisticated. He can actually use qi as worms.

"Although this method is sophisticated, it strays from the proper path. He uses his own vital essence as a catalyst, drawing in the turbid qi of heaven and earth to form worms. It can harm people without leaving a trace.

"But a person's vital essence is limited. Losing even the smallest amount causes immense harm to the body. This fellow really is prepared to die. You have to admire him!"

One of the two Men in Black interjected, "From what you're saying, you've met the murderer. Where is he now? I'll arrest him right away."

Meng Huai gave a mocking smile. "I have met him, but I don't know where he is. If you want to arrest him, go ask at the Butterfly Bar!"

At the mention of the Butterfly Bar, Zhao Zhen's expression shifted slightly. He glared at the two men. "Nobody will think you're mute if you keep your mouths shut. Get outside and stand there. If you dress like this again, I'll send you off to work as gigolos."

Meng Huai and Yun Zimo both choked on their saliva. Appearances really could be deceiving. They hadn't expected Zhao Zhen to be so blunt.

Meng Huai briefly recounted what had happened in the dream, then said, "This is only the beginning. Within seven days, everyone involved in this matter will die.

"We only have seven days to see whether we can find a way to counter the Wormless Gu. If we can't, dealing with him certainly won't be easy.

"Don't look at me like that. My position is different from yours. I don't feel the slightest guilt about using the lives of beasts who deserve to die to buy time."

As he spoke, he took out his wine flask, drank a large mouthful, then sprayed it over the corpse's belly. With a hiss, a cloud of black qi rose from its abdomen, followed by a spreading, foul stench.