Chapter 81: The Undercover Agent in the Government Office

“Many people are showing symptoms of drowsiness now. Could it be that the Life Reversal Talismans have already begun absorbing the lifespans of ordinary people?”

Lanting shook her head. “That’s not the case. Lifespan is the very foundation of life and cannot be so easily shaken. From your description, people have only recently shown drowsiness. This is merely a prelude; it will take at least half a month for the actual absorption of lifespans to begin.”

“The official process of absorbing lifespans is extremely lengthy and difficult to detect.”

“However, there is a method for the forced activation of the Life Reversal Talisman.”

“What method?” Lu Yang pressed.

Lanting said gravely, “By using the Life Reversal Talismans as nodes to form a Life Reversal Array, and employing human blood as a catalyst, one can activate the grand array without waiting half a month, using the lifespans of mortals to enhance one’s own cultivation!”

In reality, the Life Reversal Talismans and Life Reversal Array were highly obscure knowledge, recorded in only a handful of books. Because the Life Reversal Talisman was a genuinely unorthodox and sinister art, books mentioning it were categorized as forbidden texts. Even highly knowledgeable array masters might have only heard its name and would not recognize its symbol.

Only Lanting, coming from the Lunar Laurel Immortal Palace, had the privilege of accessing these forbidden books. She claimed not to be deeply knowledgeable in array formations, yet the depth of knowledge she was now displaying far surpassed what her modest claim suggested.

Lanting continued, “However, the person who inscribed the Life Reversal Talismans likely doesn’t know about the Life Reversal Array. Before activation, the Life Reversal Array wouldn’t even show signs of drowsiness, making it far more secretive. But it’s also possible the Life Reversal Array is currently being set up and is not yet complete.”

Meng Jingzhou and Mang Gu listened, also realizing the gravity of the situation. Now, everyone in Yanjiang Prefecture was experiencing drowsiness, which indicated that the Life Reversal Talismans were hidden throughout Yanjiang Prefecture! The individual operating in the shadows had grand intentions!

“Once the Life Reversal Array is activated, to what realm could it elevate the caster?”

Lanting shook her head. “It’s hard to say. It depends on how much lifespan the array absorbs. We can’t tell yet.”

“Let’s go. Let’s check the Great Stone Bridge; there might be more there!” Lu Yang called to the other three.

To the west of Yanjiang Prefecture lay a large river called the Hidden Dragon River. The section of the Hidden Dragon River passing through Yanjiang Prefecture flowed gently, and many people enjoyed spending time there, making it a major scenic attraction. The name ‘Yanjiang’ in Yanjiang Prefecture came from this river.

The “Great Stone Bridge” that Lu Zhi, who had attempted a home burglary, mentioned was located here. It was late at night, and the Hidden Dragon River was deserted. The four companions found the Great Stone Bridge and searched every inch, high and low, but found no new Life Reversal Talismans.

“As expected, the perpetrator wasn’t foolish. They wouldn’t place two Life Reversal Talismans in one spot.”

Early the next morning, Constable Wei sought out Chief Constable Fang Qingyun.

“Wei, what can I do for you?”

“Master, have you noticed that recently, people in Yanjiang Prefecture generally go to bed early and can’t wake up in the mornings?”

Fang Qingyun nodded. “Yes, that’s true. I think it might be because the cost of living in Yanjiang Prefecture has increased, but incomes haven’t kept pace, leading to greater financial pressure on people, which makes them work harder during the day to earn money.”

Constable Wei massaged his temples, pained, and carefully chose his words. “Master, I know you’re eager to get promoted and have been reading books on socio-economics lately to lay the groundwork for your future promotion, but have you ever considered that you’re fundamentally unsuited for development work?”

“Just say what you need to say, quickly!”

“...It’s like this: last night, an enthusiastic citizen apprehended a burglar. According to the thief’s confession, he had coincidentally obtained a talisman that induced drowsiness. It could make people within a fifty-meter radius feel sleepy.”

Constable Wei took the talisman out of a sealed box. The seal had an inhibiting effect. He had found that the drowsiness talisman had no effect on him, but was highly effective on ordinary people—everyone on night duty with him had fallen asleep. He had no choice but to lock the talisman in the box.

“Do you recognize this thing?”

Fang Qingyun examined it for a moment, then shook his head, indicating he didn’t recognize it either. “Prefect Li is knowledgeable and experienced. Perhaps he’ll recognize it.”

When the two found Prefect Li, he was buried in official duties. Both were filled with admiration for Prefect Li. As a Golden Core cultivator, he had been in Yanjiang Prefecture for twenty years, and the prefecture had remained unchanged. Yet, whenever superiors came to inspect Yanjiang Prefecture, or Prefect Li went to report to his superiors, Yanjiang Prefecture would always present its best side, as if it had undergone monumental changes over the past two decades.

“Prefect Li, I have something to report!” Fang Qingyun said.

Prefect Li put down his brush and gestured for them to sit and speak. Constable Wei truthfully reported the events of last night, then presented the talisman, asking Prefect Li to examine it.

Prefect Li narrowed his eyes and let out a soft ‘hmm,’ as if recalling something, falling into thought. After a few minutes, he spoke. “If my memory serves me correctly, this is a Life Reversal Talisman?”

“Thirty years ago, I was responsible for combating demonic cultivators in Poyang Prefecture. While exchanging experiences with colleagues from other prefectures, a colleague introduced this type of talisman, stating it was a Life Reversal Talisman. It can absorb people’s lifespans and convert them into cultivation. It is an undeniably demonic method.”

Prefect Li said solemnly, “The Spring Harvest Festival is approaching. At that time, many people from other prefectures and counties will come to visit, including both ordinary people and cultivators. The Spring Harvest Festival is Yanjiang Prefecture’s most prominent public image; there must be no mistakes. You must capture these demonic cultivators who are posting these talismans before the Spring Harvest Festival begins!”

“These demonic cultivators are lawless and show no regard for the imperial court!”

“Chief Constable Fang, you must pay special attention to this matter. Once the Life Reversal Talismans gain momentum, the consequences will be endless!”

Then Prefect Li changed his tone. “Of course, if you catch the culprit, it will be a great service, and I will report it to the higher-ups. If possible, it would be best for you to achieve a breakthrough in your cultivation; then your promotion will be a certainty.”

“Yes!”

“You may leave if there’s nothing else. I have another meeting shortly.”

The next day, Lu Yang and the others wanted to continue searching for the Life Reversal Talismans based on the clues they had. Before they could even leave, Helm Master Chu sent someone to summon Lu Yang. Lu Yang didn’t understand why Helm Master Chu had only called for him. He felt a silent sense of unease, sensing something strange.

Helm Master Chu sat on a jade chair, propping his head with his hand, wearing a mask, his voice hoarse. “I heard you caught a thief last night and also found a yellow talisman that induced drowsiness?”

Lu Yang said respectfully, “Yes. I suspect this yellow talisman is a demonic technique of ours. I want to find the person who inscribed it, kill them for their treasures, and learn the technique of drawing such talismans!”

Helm Master Chu waved his hand. “While it’s certainly necessary to maintain good relations with the authorities, this time it’s different. The government will thoroughly investigate this matter, and with a Golden Core cultivator involved, the truth will soon come to light. Don’t interfere further, lest you expose your identity and get yourself embroiled.”

“It’s just a talisman that causes drowsiness; it’s not worth the risk.”

Lu Yang’s heart skipped a beat. Helm Master Chu already knew about last night’s events this morning, and even knew that a Golden Core cultivator would intervene—a fact even he wasn’t aware of. The Yanjiang Branch had an informant within the government!