Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 593 - 412 We Are All Loyal!

The beggar touched the pus-filled sores on his face, his hands trembling unceasingly. His speech was incoherent: "I... I definitely won’t let him go again. I promise there won’t be a next time! Don’t kill me... please, don’t kill me..."

"Don’t be afraid, they’re just a few bumps," the Greenwater Beggar said with a smile. "You’re a beggar. Which beggar hasn’t developed bumps before? As long as you do your work for me properly and don’t mess up again, these bumps will vanish in no time. Do you still not trust my word?"

The beggar fervently wished the bumps on his face would disappear that very instant, but the Greenwater Beggar had lost interest in hearing him out.

A call was repeating endlessly in his ear:

"Great Ancestor of the Taoist Sect, I pray to you with utmost sincerity. Unwelcome guests have appeared in your domain. I report this to you immediately and stand ready to fight for you."

Prayer? What kind of term is that? Green Flower frowned, thinking of his few disciples in the Taoist Sect.

"Keep a close watch here." Green Flower glanced at the beggar, then vanished.

The beggar sat by the roadside, his body still trembling uncontrollably.

Li Qi. Goodbye Li Qi, I absolutely can’t let him escape.

「...」

In the Boundless Hospital, Wan Jinxian sat in his office and asked Cui Tiq, "What’s so urgent that you had to summon me here?"

Cui Tiq brought in a cup of black tea. "Please, Senior Brother, have a seat. It’s good to strengthen the fellowship among us sect members."

Wan Jinxian placed the teacup aside. "Are you touched in the head? Why would I rush to the hospital in broad daylight? How am I supposed to explain myself if someone sees me?"

Cui Tiq said with a smile, "Senior Brother, that doesn’t make sense. Everyone eats the five grains; who doesn’t fall ill sometimes?"

Wan Jinxian retorted angrily, "I’m a Disease Cultivator! How could I fall ill so easily?"

Cui Tiq pursed his lips. "That’s a fair point. I’ll try to choose a more suitable meeting place next time."

"There won’t be a next time!" Wan Jinxian was furious. "Just tell me clearly, why did you want to see me?"

"Yesterday, you came to me and told me about a special person who had arrived in Greenwater City—the youth who always wears white. You also reported this important news to He Jiaqing. I believe what you said is true, but I still can’t figure out why this person in white would come here."

Wan Jinxian said impatiently, "I’ve told you, he’s from Sage Peak and caused us trouble before. He’s probably targeting us again this time."

Cui Tiq held his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "What trouble was that again?"

"You’re quite forgetful, aren’t you? I told you in detail: he nearly killed Shen Rongqing at the Lotus Pond Tea House. I shouldn’t need to remind you who Shen Rongqing is."

Cui Tiq took another sip of tea, pondered for a long while, then shook his head. "I know who Shen Rongqing is; she’s a very talented woman. However, I don’t think the person in white came for her, nor for any of you."

Wan Jinxian snorted coldly. "You don’t even know the identity of the person in white, yet you can guess who he came for?"

"It’s not easy to guess, indeed. I saw Xiaoyao Lodge recruiting people on the street to develop the New Land. I found it intriguing and wanted to check out the commotion. In the crowd, I thought I saw that white-clad youth you mentioned. I’m not certain it was him, but his clothes, appearance, and age matched your description perfectly. By his side was a prominent figure. I didn’t recognize this person, but his cultivation level was very high. If it weren’t for the Ancestral Master’s power, I might not have even seen them. I keep feeling this prominent figure looks somewhat familiar. I suspect I might have been mistaken, so I wanted to confirm with you."

Wan Jinxian didn’t want to hear any more from Cui Tiq; he just wanted to leave the hospital quickly. "I haven’t seen these two people you mentioned, and you don’t recognize them yourself. How am I supposed to verify this for you?"

Cui Tiq gestured downwards with his palm. "Senior Brother, please sit down. Don’t be so impetuous. It’s indeed difficult for you to verify this alone. I’ve also asked someone else to come and help us verify it together."

Wan Jinxian’s pupils contracted. "What do you mean by that?"

Cui Tiq answered frankly, "I told this person the information you gave me. When he arrives, we can analyze the white-clad person’s intentions together."

Wan Jinxian exploded with rage. "You told someone else what I told you? And you’re having this person come to me? Are you trying to get me killed?"

"Senior Brother, calm down," Cui Tiq placated. "This person is no outsider."

Wan Jinxian shoved Cui Tiq aside and roared, "I don’t care who he is! If he dares show his face before me, I’ll kill him!"

The words had barely left his lips when the Greenwater Beggar appeared before Wan Jinxian.

Wan Jinxian stared at the beggar before him. He was covered with pustules, oozing green pus.

Wan Jinxian had never seen the Greenwater Beggar before, but at this moment, he could guess his identity.

The Greenwater Beggar looked at Wan Jinxian. "You’re going to kill me?"

Wan Jinxian took a deep breath and replied calmly, "No."

With that, he prostrated himself on the ground, attempting to kneel, but his trembling knees wouldn’t allow it, so he remained facedown.

Cui Tiq was much more composed; after all, this wasn’t their first meeting.

Just as he was about to salute the Greenwater Beggar, the Beggar waved his hand. "No need. Speak. Why did you seek me out?"

"Senior Brother saw someone in Greenwater City, a person in white clothes from Sage Peak. I also saw this person..." Cui Tiq recounted the incident.

After listening, Green Flower frowned and asked, "You’re talking about Zhong Huairen from Sage Peak, aren’t you? Why did you feel the need to tell me this?"

Cui Tiq answered, "To demonstrate my loyalty to the Ancestral Master."

At that, Green Flower chuckled. "Your loyalty? Can I see it?"

"You can!" Cui Tiq unfastened his robe, revealing the tattoo on his chest: ’I Love Ancestral Master.’

If the Greenwater Beggar weren’t right there, I would have laughed out loud. That madman! What’s the use of showing that thing?

"Very good." The Greenwater Beggar nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Wan Jinxian. "And you? Are you loyal to me?"

What am I supposed to do now? Wan Jinxian was dumbfounded. He had no tattoo.

"My loyalty to the Ancestral Master... it’s... in my heart!" Though his reply was halting, it was the best Wan Jinxian could come up with.

"Is that so? Let me take a look at what your heart looks like." The Greenwater Beggar waved his hand, and a smear of green pus landed on Wan Jinxian’s chest. It vanished beneath his skin, seeping into his chest cavity.

Wan Jinxian clutched his chest, feeling as though countless tiny creatures were swarming within him.

"Ancestral Master, spare me! I am utterly loyal to you!" Wan Jinxian pleaded with difficulty.

"HEH HEH HEH." Green Flower squatted before Wan Jinxian, scrutinizing his face. "Your face is pale, but I see your heart is black. It seems you’re not so loyal after all."

"I am loyal!" Wan Jinxian could think of no other words.

"I believe you." The Greenwater Beggar patted Wan Jinxian’s head. "I have a task for you: find out Zhong Huairen’s purpose for coming here. That shouldn’t be too difficult, should it?"

"This disciple... will do his utmost!"

"You’ll do your utmost?" The Greenwater Beggar was dissatisfied with this answer. "If this task isn’t accomplished, you’ll forfeit your life."

Wan Jinxian didn’t know how to respond.

The Greenwater Beggar rose and looked at Cui Tiq. "The same goes for you. Although you’re very loyal, I despise loyal-but-useless individuals. First, tell me, besides demonstrating loyalty, what other purpose did you have in seeking me out?"

Cui Tiq answered truthfully, "I crave power."

The Greenwater Beggar frowned. "I find your way of speaking quite strenuous. You want a higher cultivation level, is that right?"

Cui Tiq nodded. "I long for the Ancestral Master to bestow upon me a higher cultivation level."

"And what do you want a higher cultivation level for? A longer lifespan?"

Cui Tiq shook his head. "I don’t seek to extend my own life; I aim to shorten the lives of others."

Green Flower stared at Cui Tiq for a moment. "You and I are quite similar, indeed. I also have a task for you. Go to Blue Poplar Village. On the road leading to the New Land, find a beggar. Watch him and see what he does. If he gets killed, or if he kills someone else, report to me immediately."

Cui Tiq asked, "Does this beggar have any distinguishing features?"

"No particular features, just like any ordinary beggar. But you’ll definitely recognize him, because I left a mark on his face."

"How high is his cultivation level?"

"Not on Earth Skin, but Cloud Top First Layer."

"Ancestral Master, I wouldn’t dare negotiate terms with you, but if his cultivation level is Above the Clouds, I’m afraid I won’t be able to complete the task of surveilling him."

"I’ll help you. Don’t you want power? I’ll give it to you! Stretch out your hand." Green Flower tapped Cui Tiq’s palm, and some tiny organisms burrowed into his flesh.

"Thank you for your gift, Ancestral Master!" Cui Tiq bowed once more.

Green Flower looked at the two of them and nodded. "My disciples... perhaps I shouldn’t have killed them all. Keeping you two alive might still be of some use."

As he finished speaking, the Greenwater Beggar vanished.

Wan Jinxian scrambled up and grabbed Cui Tiq. "You damn Foreign Devil! You summoned the Ancestral Master?"

Cui Tiq said, "Senior Brother, no need to be so agitated. I merely used the power the Ancestral Master left within us to offer a prayer to Him. You also have His power in your body—the blisters I gave you. This power is exceedingly strong. If you concentrate your will on the blisters, you too can contact the Ancestral Master."

"That’s not what I’m asking!" Wan Jinxian roared. "Why did you summon the Ancestral Master?"

"I did it to help you, Senior Brother. I know you also wish to become stronger. Your following He Jiaqing—isn’t that also for the sake of greater power?"

"I follow him for the new Puluo State!"

Cui Tiq shook his head. "You can deceive me, but you cannot deceive yourself. You follow the orders of a young man because you desire to become stronger. The power He Jiaqing offers is ultimately limited; the Ancestral Master can grant you limitless power! Come with me, and let us embrace the Ancestral Master!"

As he finished speaking, Cui Tiq took out a needle.

Wan Jinxian was startled. "What are you doing?"

Cui Tiq spoke calmly, "Relax. I just want to give you a tattoo, also saying ’I Love Ancestral Master.’ That way, next time you see the Ancestral Master, you can prove your loyalty to Him."

"Bullshit!" Wan Jinxian shoved Cui Tiq away.

Cui Tiq wasn’t angry. "Senior Brother, a word of advice: if you want to find the young man in white and his companion, go to Xiaoyao Lodge. They seem to be waiting outside Xiaoyao Lodge for someone."

「...」

Wan Jinxian stumbled to the entrance of Xiaoyao Lodge. Cui Tiq hadn’t lied; he saw the person he was looking for—the young man in white, Zhong Huairen.

What is he doing at Xiaoyao Lodge? Is he looking for Li Qi and Ma Wu?

Another man was with him, wearing a gray-white coat and a gray-white top hat. Even from the back, the man looked somewhat familiar to Wan Jinxian.

He conversed intermittently with the young man in white. Wan Jinxian stared at his profile for a long time but still couldn’t recognize him.

People came and went, none of them noticing these two.

Logically, Wan Jinxian shouldn’t have been able to see them either. The man’s cultivation level was high, and he had concealed both himself and the white-clad youth.

However, Wan Jinxian possessed the Greenwater Beggar’s power within his body. This allowed him to see the two men and also successfully conceal his own presence.

Their voices were faint, but Wan Jinxian could barely make out some of their conversation.

"Mr. Chu, you don’t need to stay here. I’ll have people from the Strict Law Society come and keep watch."

"The people from the Strict Law Society might not be capable enough. Let’s wait a bit longer; I sense it’s almost time."

As they were speaking, the young man in white, Zhong Huairen, suddenly glanced in Wan Jinxian’s direction.

Wan Jinxian thought he had been exposed and quickly hid further away.

In reality, Zhong Huairen hadn’t seen Wan Jinxian; he had spotted Chu Huaiyuan.

Chu Huaiyuan, leading a dozen or so people, approached Xiaoyao Lodge from the end of the street.

Zhong Huairen asked the man, "Mr. Chu, shall we go over and take a look?"

After a moment of silence, the man said, "I’ll go take a look. You wait here."

PS: Aside from Saints, the young man in white is arrogant towards everyone. For him to call this man ’Mr. Chu’ shows a rare degree of respect.