When Ji Nanshu answered the video intercom, he found a familiar face: Elder Zhang from the Si Clan's nameless shop on Feng Shui Street.
Once he was let in, Elder Zhang got straight to the point. "I hope you'll forgive this old man's presumption in calling you young Mr. Ji. Do you remember giving our young lady a talisman?"
Ji Nanshu nodded. "Hmm? Did she use it?"
Elder Zhang took a deep breath, his expression somewhat grave. "Yes. Several people suffered injuries of varying severity. All three level-five Celestial Masters and the one level-six Celestial Master the Celestial Masters Association can currently deploy have gone there. The young lady insisted that I come ask you to go."
Ji Nanshu pointed at the backpack behind him. "I have something to go out for right now. Where is your young lady carrying out her mission?"
If it was close, he could head over after sorting out that young fan's problem.
"Ange Village."
Huh?!
Ange Village? What a coincidence.
Ji Nanshu headed toward the door as he thought. Seeing Elder Zhang still standing there, he asked in confusion, "Come on. What are you standing around for?!"
Delighted, Elder Zhang realized that Ji Nanshu had agreed and hurried after him.
"Mrooow-!!" Chiyu's howl reminded Ji Nanshu that he had a pet at home.
He flicked Chiyu on the forehead.
"Wait for your other dad to come home. No making trouble at home." After giving Chiyu those instructions, Ji Nanshu left with Elder Zhang, leaving Chiyu so angry that he scratched at the door for ages.
On the helicopter.
After some thought, Elder Zhang gave a brief explanation. "Young Ji, let me give you a quick rundown. Seven days ago, the relevant authorities discovered that someone was raising gu in Ange Village. At first, we thought they were just raising gu. As long as they didn't use them to harm anyone, they could raise them after registering with the relevant authorities. But after investigating, the authorities discovered that they were actually... actually..."
Ji Nanshu finished for him. "Using people as vessels to raise gu, right?"
Shocked, Elder Zhang said, "You knew?!"
"Yes. A fan sent me a private message on Weibo saying that her parents and the villagers all seemed very strange. After hearing that, I more or less guessed."
"It's utterly vicious! To think people are still using such a vile method to raise gu in this day and age!" The wrinkles on Elder Zhang's face trembled with anger. "There's something else you might not know. They want to... cultivate Human Gu!"
Ji Nanshu raised an eyebrow, seemingly very interested in the Human Gu Elder Zhang mentioned. He said, "Human Gu? Interesting! This is the first I've heard of it. I really would like to see it."
Refining people into gu? That sounded interesting.
"Human Gu first appeared over a hundred years ago. First, they feed people all kinds of poison, keeping them alive with medicinal baths. Seven days later, they put all sorts of venomous creatures inside their bodies, making the people fight them. If the person survives, they become Human Gu. If the venomous creatures survive, they become gu insects. Truly vicious!"
Ji Nanshu agreed perfunctorily. "Mm-hmm, yes, absolutely."
In fact, to Ji Nanshu, this was nothing out of the ordinary. In his era, human lives were worth less than anything else. He had seen far more vicious and brutal things. This was mild by comparison.
Not long after Elder Zhang finished his brief account, the two arrived in the town by Ange Village.
After getting off the helicopter, Ji Nanshu sent Chu Mo a message saying he had arrived safely, silenced his phone, and put it back in his bag.
"I refuse!!"
A stern male voice came from inside the room.
Ji Nanshu's hand hesitated as he went to push the door open. Should I listen outside first and see what's going on?
Another cool male voice said, "Do you have another solution?"
"But..."
Their argument stopped abruptly as Ji Nanshu pushed the door open, and everyone turned to look at the doorway.
Ji Nanshu greeted them. "Good evening, everyone~"
"Who are you?!"
The burly man standing at the front frowned, his gaze sharp.
Elder Zhang was just about to introduce him when Si Dai, who had been sitting to one side, sprang to her feet, her face filled with delight. "Mr. Ji, you're here!"
Elder Zhang: All right, no need for this old man, then. Never mind, never mind.
Ji Nanshu couldn't quite understand Si Dai's delight and enthusiasm. "Ah... hello, Miss Si."
"Deputy Captain Chen, this is the creator of the 'Rebound' talisman I told you about! Senior Brother Shu Cheng and the others don't have any better solutions right now, so why don't we ask Mr. Ji?"
At those words, the scrutiny in everyone's eyes intensified.
Chen Anbang carefully looked Ji Nanshu over. He still couldn't believe that such a delicate, pretty young boy could make top-grade talismans.
No matter how he looked at him, he couldn't believe it. But based on his many years roaming the martial world-no, his experience handling cases-the more fragile someone looked, the more ruthless they were.
Whether it was true or false, a test would tell.
Ji Xingyu: He looks a little familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before?
Chunlu glanced at Ji Nanshu and clicked her tongue, sneering, "Tch, Young Lady Si, don't tell me you picked him for his looks? A pretty boy like him can make talismans? I'll be happy as long as he doesn't end up blubbering behind us!"
The corners of Ji Nanshu's lips curled slightly, and a hint of amusement flashed through his peach-blossom eyes. Raising his brows lightly, he said, "Miss Si, it seems this... auntie is your leader?"
Chunlu shot to her feet, her eyes wide enough to look as if they might spit fire. "Who are you calling auntie, you pretty boy?!"
Chen Anbang glared at Chunlu and snapped, "Chunlu, shut up!"
Chunlu was very capable, but relying on her skills and the big shot above whom she had latched on to, she held her nose in the air and thought nothing of them. She was a troublemaker, too!
Compared with Chunlu, he found Ji Nanshu much more agreeable.
Chen Anbang added, "Mr. Ji, please wait a moment. Captain Shu and the others are still next door."
Ji Nanshu nodded and asked, "Perhaps you could explain the specifics to me?"
Chen Anbang said, "Of course. Here's what happened. Our intelligence personnel reported that someone was raising gu in Ange Village. We conducted a routine investigation and filed a report, but strangely, they wouldn't let us investigate. After our personnel investigated in secret, we discovered that they were using people to raise gu. On further investigation, we discovered that they wanted to refine Human Gu."
Ji Nanshu asked in confusion, "Are you short on manpower or short on ability? Can't you just arrest them all?"
Wonderful. With one sentence, he had successfully gotten under the skin of every member of the relevant authorities.
Chen Anbang was speechless. Fuck, why does everything this guy says hit us right where it hurts?!!
Pei Qi smacked their lips. This guy is so rude!! Facts aside, we're still pretty impressive, okay?!
Chunlu was so angry her chest hurt. Damn it, does this guy know how to talk to people?!!
The only person there who might not have been angry was Ji Xingyu. He even thought Ji Nanshu was right! They were short on manpower to begin with, and if they were capable enough, how could they fail to resolve this?
Si Dai applauded. Mr. Ji is mighty!
"Mr. Ji... you may not know this, but the person behind all this is very likely a level-seven gu master, only one step away from the Innate realm..."
Ji Nanshu sighed. "Get to the point. Even if you can't beat a level-seven gu master, are you telling me all of you together can't kill these gu insects?"
Chen Anbang choked. How does that not count as the point?!!
"You don't even have certification from the Celestial Masters Association. Who are you to question us?!" Wonderful. It was Chunlu speaking again.
Ji Nanshu ignored Chunlu outright and looked up at Chen Anbang, signaling for him to continue.
"Let me explain-"