Chapter 67: Chapter 67: An Important Clue, the Taiyin Soul-Inviting Technique

"Commander Lu is a really good boss!"

「Three days later.」

Upon receiving Lu Dingchuan’s reply from Sun Youliang, Pei Shaoqing said sincerely,

"Households Commander Lu is certainly easy to get along with," Sun Youliang, who had interacted with Lu Dingchuan multiple times, agreed.

Pei Shaoqing then asked, "Anything else?"

"Sir, that kidnapping case from a few days ago isn’t so simple," Sun Youliang said. "Households Commander Lu said it’s not just happening in our Tongzhou. Other counties in the Shu Region have also had Martial Artists kidnapping unmarried women. This group is elusive, their methods are efficient, and so far, there are no leads."

"Oh?" Pei Shaoqing’s brow furrowed slightly.

Sun Youliang continued, "Households Commander Lu wants us to pay attention and uproot this multi-city criminal organization as soon as possible. We can’t let the situation escalate."

"Summon Standard-Bearer Chen and the squad leaders for a meeting." Pei Shaoqing felt it was necessary to convey the latest orders from above.

Soon, the group had gathered in the main hall of the Hundred Households.

Pei Shaoqing sat at the head of the hall, in the seat meant for the Hundred Households Commander. His gaze slowly swept over the crowd. "Lately, there has been a string of incidents throughout Shu State involving Martial Artists kidnapping women. The Households Commander is urging every Hundred Households to investigate this case with all their might. All of you, have your men pay close attention."

"Yes, sir!" they all replied in unison.

Pei Shaoqing singled out Song Youcai. "Squad Leader Song, go and see those three women again. See if you can get any more useful clues out of them."

"Your command is my will!" Song Youcai rose and clasped his hands in a salute.

Pei Shaoqing looked to Chen Zhongyi. "Standard-Bearer Chen, make a trip to the County Government Office and ask the County Magistrate to assign men for night patrols."

"Yes, Sir," Chen Zhongyi immediately responded.

Pei Shaoqing waved his hand. "That’s all. You’re dismissed."

Everyone rose, saluted, and dispersed.

In the afternoon, Pei Shaoqing was in the back courtyard of the Hundred Households, practicing Swordsmanship with Zhao Zilan and Ye Hanshuang. He was using the Shaking Light Saintess’s Shaking Light Swordsmanship, though his technique was still somewhat green.

Zhao Zilan and Ye Hanshuang’s blades moved like Wandering Dragons, their forms as graceful as startled swans. As they spun and dodged, their ample chests rose and fell, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

"Sir! Sir!"

Just then, Song Youcai came rushing in.

The three of them immediately stopped and withdrew their swords.

Pei Shaoqing casually tossed his sword to Zhao Zilan. She caught it, performed a flourish, and held it reversed behind her back.

"What is it?" Pei Shaoqing asked, looking at Song Youcai.

Song Youcai took two steps forward, saluted, and said with a grave expression, "Sir, I went to the homes of the three women as you commanded. I couldn’t get any new leads from them, but I did discover another point they have in common, besides all being virgins."

"Out with it," Pei Shaoqing urged.

Song Youcai said in a low voice, "They are all the same age, and all were born in a yin year, on a yin month, and a yin day."

’A yin year, yin month, and yin day.’ Pei Shaoqing frowned. ’Women born at such a time possess extremely potent yin energy.’

He instantly recalled various works of fiction from his past life. ’Whenever a story calls for gathering women like this, it’s always for some demonic or heretical purpose.’

After a moment’s thought, he said, "Immediately arrange for men to stake out their three homes. Also, find out what other women in the city were born at that exact time."

"Yes, Sir!" Song Youcai turned and departed.

Zhao Zilan asked, "Young Master, shall we continue practicing?"

"We’re done," Pei Shaoqing said, shaking his head and striding away. "Have a horse readied. I’m returning to my estate."

’I need to go back and consult my encyclopedia.’

’When in doubt, ask Wu Niang. Voice search enabled.’

...............

Upon arriving home, Pei Shaoqing headed straight for the bedroom.

Xie Qingwu was embroidering a sachet on the soft couch. She looked up in surprise as Pei Shaoqing entered. "Aren’t you supposed to be on duty at the Hundred Households? Why are you back so suddenly?"

The August days were still hot. Even with blocks of ice in the room, the sweltering heat was hard to bear, so she was dressed lightly. Over a goose-yellow bandeau, she wore only a sheer, transparent shawl. Her lower half was clad in thin silk trousers, and her elegant feet were bare.

The trousers were so thin, the contour of her camel toe was distinct.

"It’s a case..." Pei Shaoqing walked over and sat beside her. After briefly explaining the situation, he asked, "Have you ever read about any Evil Magic that requires women born in a yin year, on a yin month, and a yin day?"

"There are far too many of those," Xie Qingwu said, setting down her sachet. Her delicate brows furrowed in thought, and her lips parted. "However, you said they’ve already captured over thirty people. As far as I know, the only Evil Technique that requires that many ’triple-yin’ women at once is the Taiyin Soul-Inviting Technique."

"The Taiyin Soul-Inviting Technique?" Pei Shaoqing raised an eyebrow.

Xie Qingwu nodded. She pulled her slender feet up from where they dangled over the couch and sat cross-legged, facing Pei Shaoqing. Looking at him, she began to explain:

"After the Spiritual Qi dried up, the path to immortality was cut off. It became difficult for demons to be born, and even the souls of the dead could barely linger. At best, they dissipate the same day they die; at worst, they vanish completely within seven days, leaving no trace in the world.

So, several hundred years ago, someone created this Evil Technique by combining it with Ancient Immortal Techniques. They use a formation of forty-nine triple-yin virgins, who are then tortured and killed by slow slicing.

The ghosts they become are extremely malevolent toward the living, but to other ghosts, they are a powerful tonic. Consuming them can strengthen a ghost’s own Spirit Body, not only extending its time in the mortal world but also increasing its power."

Pei Shaoqing’s eyes grew cold. "In other words, this Taiyin Soul-Inviting Technique is a method for extending a ghost’s existence?"

"That’s right." Xie Qingwu nodded, meeting Pei Shaoqing’s gaze. "Across all of Jiuzhou, triple-yin women aren’t hard to find. But in the Shu Region alone, they are quite rare. So, if the mastermind truly intends to perform this Evil Magic, they will certainly return to Tongzhou for the three women who were lucky enough to escape."

"Hmph! My only fear is that they *won’t* come back," Pei Shaoqing said coldly. ’Torturing and murdering the living just to prolong a ghost’s existence... an Evil Magic like that is utterly devoid of conscience.’

’Even a bad guy like me can’t stand to see this.’

’The mastermind had better not fall into my hands.’

’Or I’ll teach them the meaning of true cruelty!’

Xie Qingwu offered a comforting thought. "Maybe the mastermind isn’t planning to use the Taiyin Soul-Inviting Technique."

"I don’t care what kind of technique they’re planning. One look tells you it’s nothing good," Pei Shaoqing said, his face impassive.

Suddenly, Xie Qingwu tilted her head and stared at him.

Pei Shaoqing felt a bit uneasy. "What?"

"I never would have guessed," Xie Qingwu said, blinking with a look of mock seriousness. "A mountain bandit who kills husbands and steals their wives actually has a sense of justice."

Pei Shaoqing felt she was mocking him and retorted with self-assured arrogance, "I’m allowed to do bad things, but other people aren’t! One villain like me is enough for this world. If everyone were a villain, who would be left for me to bully?

Besides, they’re doing it on my turf! That’s just blatant disrespect! Every single commoner in this city is my private property. They’re trying to seize my assets, which means they have a death wish."

He certainly had a strong sense of ownership.

"Hmph! You say one thing but mean another. You clearly haven’t lost your conscience," Xie Qingwu said with a beaming smile.

Pei Shaoqing sighed. "I can’t believe you saw right through me. You’re right, I’m a good person. And they say a good man deserves to see the goods... Wife, can you let me have a look?"

"Alright, I admit it, I was wrong. You’re not just a bad person, you’re not even human." Seeing his shameless expression, Xie Qingwu’s face darkened as she kicked him.

Pei Shaoqing gazed at the ceiling with a melancholy expression. "So, good guys don’t get to see the goods. From this day forward, I’ll embrace my dark side and become a villain. After all, to the wicked go the spoils! You will bear the primary responsibility for all the misery I’m about to create."

Xie Qingwu was speechless. ’He has a whole repertoire of slick lines just to get a peek. Is he trying to become the Champion Scholar or something?’

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