Chapter 563: Old Friends Reunited

The patron recognized the child as his neighbor's kid and asked in surprise, "Who gave this to you?"

"Just a big brother I don't know," the child replied, then turned and left, his cheeks still bulging. He had only received three pieces of shortbread as payment and wasn't interested in talking more to the man.

The patron took the note, a strip two fingers wide, on which was written only one sentence: "It's time you returned the Turtle Pearl, isn't it?"

The patron was bewildered by the cryptic message. He eyed the alley suspiciously, then retreated into his yard and closed the door. His companion asked him, "Who was outside?"

"I don't know. Someone sent a child with a note for Tong Wei."

The inner room's door creaked open, and someone quickly stepped out. "Give it to me," the person said, their face covered by a mask and their voice slightly hoarse.

He snatched the note from the patron's hand, glanced at it twice, and his eyebrows arched. The patron asked him, "Is it really for you?"

"What's it to you?" the person retorted, hurrying back inside and slamming the door shut. From start to finish, he hadn't spared either of them a glance.

The patron hesitated, about to speak.

His companion tugged his sleeve. "Come on, it's not the first day this guy's been acting strange. Come on, sit down and have a drink."

The strange man returned to the room, studying the note repeatedly, even holding it up to the light twice before picking up several bottles from the table. He mixed the powders and liquids, creating a pungent, pasty substance, which he then smeared onto the note.

Soon, several words appeared on the previously blank back of the note: "Auntie Chen's Fish Soup."

Among the row of shops on the street ahead, one had that very sign.

The man chuckled, then sat down to think for a while before pushing open the door and stepping out.

As a neighborhood eatery, "Auntie Chen's Fish Soup" was a straightforward name that immediately told patrons its specialty.

The shop was small, fitting three small tables inside, with room for two more outside if they encroached on the sidewalk.

Diners sat on stools, hunched over their meals—a posture He Lingchuan maintained.

Just as his steaming hot three dishes and one soup were served, the person he was waiting for entered.

He Lingchuan thoughtfully chose the innermost table. The newcomer sat down with his back to the street, casually removed his mask, revealing the lower half of a face twisted as if made of melted wax.

Dong Rui.

The moment He Lingchuan saw that face, he propped his hand on his forehead. "Give me a moment," he said. "Really spoils my appetite."

Dong Rui said coldly, "If you don't want to look, you can leave."

"It's been a while; I need to re-adjust," He Lingchuan said, personally serving him a bowl of fish soup. "Come, to the good times in the swamp, let's drain this bowl."

The crucian carp soup was milky white and fragrant.

Auntie Chen truly had some skill to make this fish soup her signature dish.

Dong Rui took the bowl, intending to tip his head back and down it, but when he lowered his head, he nearly scalded his lips, almost spitting out the mouthful he'd taken.

He managed to swallow it with difficulty, then switched to small, slow sips. His mouth felt like it was on fire, about to explode.

During this, He Lingchuan had already poured himself a glass of wine, taken a sip, and let out a comfortable "Ah."

*Damn it.*

Dong Rui silently watched him, feeling his blood pressure rise again, just like before. Good times in the swamp? They were absolutely unbearable to recall!

He grumbled, "Why are you looking for me?"

"Don't you remember, we still have something to do in Lingxu City?" He Lingchuan reminded him. "Auntie Zhu, remember?" He and Dong Rui had both taken a task from Auntie Zhu to find her demonic immortal's remains in Lingxu City.

When Dong Rui left the Demon Nest Swamp, he had left He Lingchuan his address and alias in Lingxu City, then departed first.

Upholding his principle of keeping his word, He Lingchuan began looking for his old acquaintance to discuss strategies as soon as he arrived in Lingxu City. However, upon reaching Dong Rui's door, he found he wasn't alone.

To be safe, He Lingchuan arranged to meet him elsewhere.

The trick with the note was something Dong Rui had frequently used in the Demon Nest Swamp.

"I remember," Dong Rui said, picking up a piece of duck offal. "I also gave her my word, but I'm busy right now and can't leave. You'll have to wait a few more days."

Besides fish soup, Auntie Chen's shop also excelled at stir-frying various chicken, duck, and pork offal. These internal organs were the cheapest, and after being cleaned and quickly fried with seasonings, they became incredibly fragrant and perfect companions for wine.

Most importantly, they weren't expensive.

Ah, the everyday dishes that ordinary people could afford were often hidden in the alleys and lanes.

He Lingchuan asked him, "What exactly did Auntie Zhu promise you that made you willing to come here and work for her?"

The Beijia Empire was a colossal power, and Lingxu City was under the watchful eyes of the gods. Moreover, Dong Rui's arrest warrant had only recently been lifted, allowing him to enjoy a hard-won freedom. How high a price could Auntie Zhu have offered to make Dong Rui cause trouble in Lingxu City?

Although they had both agreed to help her retrieve the remains under Auntie Zhu's coercion at the time, weren't there countless people and incidents of going back on one's word?

Before proceeding, He Lingchuan needed to confirm that Dong Rui hadn't gone back on his word or betrayed him. Otherwise, there would be no need for further contact between them, and He Lingchuan would have to seek help elsewhere.

Dong Rui, having learned his lesson, blew on the fish soup to cool it before drinking. "The demon puppets I create, regardless of their size or strength, always have one incurable flaw: their lifespan is too short. At most a decade, at shortest just three to five months."

"After all, divine blood isn't something contemporary demons can fully assimilate. The Ghost Ape is my most successful creation, but every few months, it experiences a blood toxin backlash, causing it immense suffering. Now, it's also nearing its limit. The power of divine blood itself is a heavy burden, and I can't help them with that."

"I see," He Lingchuan said. "If a demon puppet breaks, you can just make a new one." Otherwise, why would they be called "puppets"?

"You're truly heartless!" Dong Rui glared at him. "Demon puppets are more lovable than most people in this world, and you suggest they can be discarded at will?"

He Lingchuan rubbed his nose. "Come on, eat!"

"Every demon puppet is unique, far more precious than common humans!" Dong Rui never missed an opportunity to belittle others. "Auntie Zhu said she can help me solve this problem."

"What method does she have?"

"Her remains still contain several egg sacs, which contain concentrated ancient demonic essence. This can help me neutralize the side effects of divine blood. That way, the demon puppets' lifespans can be extended severalfold, and they'll suffer much less pain."

He Lingchuan understood. Ancient great demons were the main force against the gods, and the spider immortal of that era possessed immense power, so countering a bit of divine blood should be no problem.

For someone like Dong Rui, who regarded research as his life, the allure of the spider demon's remains was irresistible. Understanding this, He Lingchuan felt quite relieved:

"So, Woad Toad's injuries haven't healed yet?"

The moment He Lingchuan said this, Dong Rui stopped eating, his gaze filled with utter shock. "How did you..."

His second reaction was to look for the shop owner, but he found that Auntie Chen, having finished cooking, had gone outside to drink with regular customers.

They were the only customers left at their table, and they were speaking very quietly.

"How do I know?" He Lingchuan leisurely picked up a piece of glistening pork kidney, which had been scored with a knife. "I injured it. No, that's not right, I *blew it up*. Of course I know."

Dong Rui stared at him for a long time before finally finding his voice. "Can't you just leave my demon puppets alone?!"

Almost every demon puppet he had lost was connected to this guy, *every single one*! How did even Woad Toad fall victim to this cursed spell?

"I didn't know you made it either," He Lingchuan sighed. "It wasn't until I discovered its true form that I remembered you told me in the swamp that you had created a demon puppet for someone else as a condition for escaping Beijia."

Dong Rui was heartbroken. "Why did you attack it!"

"The demon puppet you created was carrying 'Snail Home,' a treasure lost by the Green Palace more than ten years ago — yes, that thick snail shell on its back — and committing crimes all over Chiyan Kingdom! By coincidence, I was entrusted by the Chiyan Crown Prince to investigate the case and hunt down the culprit." He Lingchuan spread his hands. "Tell me, how could I *not* beat it?"

Investigate? He Lingchuan was the investigator?

Dong Rui suddenly stood up.

However, He Lingchuan was quicker, raising a hand to press on his shoulder. "Calm down!" The force was so immense that Dong Rui couldn't move.

He tried to brush He Lingchuan's wrist away, but the latter quickly retracted his arm, then lightning-fast touched him under the ribs. "Don't make a fuss, I'm not looking for trouble with you!"

Half of Dong Rui's body went numb, and he almost choked. He knew it was because the other party had momentarily blocked his vital energy and blood flow.

*This guy's skill seems to have improved again, damn it!*

He Lingchuan quickly said, "This case has already been handed over to others to investigate. It no longer concerns me, and I won't expose you."

Dong Rui was half-skeptical. "Who took over?"

"The Heavenly Palace."

Dong Rui's face instantly went pale, and his voice became even hoarser. "How could it be the Heavenly Palace?"

He Lingchuan counter-questioned him, "Do you know exactly what Woad Toad did?"

Dong Rui shook his head. "As soon as I arrived in Lingxu, I took over Woad Toad's treatment. Its injuries were very severe and had been delayed for too long! It took tremendous effort to stabilize its condition, and I still have to provide regular care."

He paused. "Before you came, I had only left the house a few times."

He Lingchuan sometimes forgot how much of a homebody this guy was. "Woad Toad isn't here?"

"No, the place here is too small, and the environment isn't suitable." This house was too small; even talking loudly would let the neighbors hear, and it wasn't suitable for keeping monsters, as a toad's croak is quite loud. Moreover, Woad Toad is an amphibious creature, best suited for muddy, humid environments.

"Where did those two people in your yard come from?"

"Woad Toad's owner sent them. They're supposedly here to help, but they're completely useless; they just buy things for me."

He Lingchuan asked again, "Is Woad Toad's owner named Mai Xuewen?"

Dong Rui blinked. "He is indeed surnamed Mai. Tall and thin, he looks refined, but his eyes are gloomy."

That was Mai Xuewen's appearance, He Lingchuan thought thoughtfully. "Back then, was he the one who helped you escape Beijia?"

Dong Rui looked at him, a sense of caution rising. "Didn't you say you weren't investigating the case anymore?"

He Lingchuan chuckled. "I'm not investigating for the authorities anymore, but I need to be aware of things." In his current situation, a little more information meant a little more help.