Chapter 86: The Undercover Hidden in the Government Office

"So many people are showing signs of lethargy now; could it be that the Reverse Lifespan Talismans have already begun absorbing the vitality of the common folk?"

Lanting shook her head. "Not quite. Lifespan is the very foundation of life, not something easily shaken. From your description, people have only grown drowsy over the past few days. This is merely a prelude. It will take at least a fortnight before the true absorption of lifespan begins."

"The process of formally drawing away lifespan is exceedingly protracted and difficult to detect."

"Yet, there exists a method to force the activation of the Reverse Lifespan Talisman."

"What method!" Lu Yang pressed.

Lanting spoke with grave solemnity. "By using the Reverse Lifespan Talismans as nodes to construct a Reverse Lifespan Array, and employing human blood as a catalyst, one need not wait half a month. The grand array can be activated immediately, using the lifespans of mortals to elevate one's own cultivation!"

In truth, the Reverse Lifespan Talisman and its corresponding array were rather obscure subjects, documented in a mere handful of texts. Moreover, because the talisman was an unmitigated piece of diabolical sorcery, the books recording it were classified as forbidden volumes. Even those profoundly knowledgeable grandmasters of formations might only have heard the name of the Reverse Lifespan Talisman, without ever recognizing its actual pattern.

It was only because Lanting hailed from the Laurel Celestial Palace that she possessed the privilege to access these proscribed texts.

She had claimed to have only dabbled superficially in the path of formations, yet the store of knowledge she now displayed was by no means something that could be dismissed as mere dabbling.

Lanting continued, "However, the person who inscribed these talismans likely does not know the Reverse Lifespan Array. Before that array is triggered, it does not even manifest symptoms of lethargy, making it far more clandestine. Then again, it is also possible that the Reverse Lifespan Array is currently being laid out, yet remains uncompleted."

Meng Jingzhou and Mangu listened from the side, likewise realizing the core of the problem. Now that the populace of the entire Yanjiang County showed signs of drowsiness, it meant the Reverse Lifespan Talismans were concealed across various locations throughout the county!

The figure in the shadows was plotting something immense!

"Once the Reverse Lifespan Array is activated, to what realm can it elevate the caster?"

Lanting shook her head. "Hard to say. It depends entirely on how much lifespan the formation absorbs, which cannot be discerned at present."

"Come, let us head to the Great Stone Bridge and see; there might be more there!" Lu Yang called upon the three.

To the west of Yanjiang County lay a great river known as the Hidden Dragon River. The section of the Hidden Dragon River passing through Yanjiang County flowed gently, making it a favored spot for leisure and one of the county's signature scenic attractions. The two characters "Yanjiang" in the county's name were derived from this very river.

The "Great Stone Bridge" mentioned by Lu Zhi, the thief who had botched his break-in, was located right here.

It was now the dead of night, and the Hidden Dragon River was utterly deserted. The four companions located the Great Stone Bridge together, searching every nook and cranny above and below, yet they failed to find another Reverse Lifespan Talisman.

"As expected, the opponent is no fool; they would not place two Reverse Lifespan Talismans in the single location."

...

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

"Little Wei, what brings you to see me?"

"Master, have you noticed that the citizens of Yanjiang County have generally been sleeping early and struggling to wake up in the morning lately?"

Fang Qingyun nodded. "There is indeed such an occurrence. I suspect it might be that the cost of living in Yanjiang County has risen while incomes have stagnated, leading to great societal pressure, which forces the common people to toil harder for money during the day."

Constable Wei massaged his temples in vexation, carefully measured his words. "Master, I know you are eager for a promotion and have recently been reading books on social economics to lay a foundation for your future advancement, but have you ever considered that you are simply not cut out for regional development?"

"Speak your mind, and stop wasting my time!"

"...It is like this. Last night, some public-spirited citizens apprehended a burglar. According to the thief's confession, he chanced upon a talisman paper that induces slumber, capable of making anyone within a fifty-meter radius feel drowsy."

Constable Wei produced the talisman paper from a box affixed with a sealing strip.

The sealing strip possessed an isolating effect. He had discovered that the slumber-inducing talisman had no effect on himself but was exceptionally potent against ordinary people; those on the night shift with him had all fallen fast asleep.

He had been left with no choice but to lock the talisman inside the box.

"Do you recognize this object?"

Fang Qingyun scrutinized it for a moment, shaking his head to indicate his ignorance. "County Governor Li is a man of vast experience and erudition; perhaps he might recognize it."

When the two found County Governor Li together, the governor was buried deep in administrative affairs.

The two held immense admiration for County Governor Li. As a Core Formation cultivator, he had governed Yanjiang County for twenty years. The county itself had not altered in the slightest from how it was before, yet whenever superiors arrived for an inspection, or when Governor Li went to brief his superiors, Yanjiang County would always present its finest facade, as though these twenty years had brought about earth-shattering transformations.

"County Governor Li, this subordinate has a matter to report!" Fang Qingyun announced.

County Governor Li set aside his writing brush and motioned for the two to sit and speak.

Constable Wei truthfully reported the events of the previous night and presented the talisman paper for the governor's inspection.

County Governor Li narrowed his eyes, letting out a soft sound of surprise as if recalling something. He fell into deep contemplation, and only after several minutes did he speak. "If my memory serves me correctly, is this a Reverse Lifespan Talisman?"

"Thirty years ago, when I was tasked with suppressing the demonic paths in Poyang County, I exchanged experiences with peers from other counties. A colleague introduced this sort of charm, calling it a Reverse Lifespan Talisman. It drains human lifespan and converts it into cultivation power—an indisputable method of the demonic path."

Governor Li spoke with great solemnity. "The Spring Gathering Festival is fast approaching, at which time a vast number of people from other counties and prefectures will arrive for leisure, including both ordinary mortals and cultivators. The Spring Gathering Festival is the most renowned trademark of our Yanjiang County to the outside world; no mishaps can be permitted. You must apprehend these demonic scoundrels who are posting these talismans before the festival begins!"

"These demonic scoundrels are utterly lawless, showing no regard for the imperial court!"

"Chief Constable Fang, you must pay extraordinary attention to this matter. Once the Reverse Lifespan Talismans gain momentum, the consequences will be endless!"

Then, Governor Li shifted his tone. "Of course, if you capture the culprit, it will be a monumental merit, and I shall report it to the higher-ups. If possible, it would be best if your cultivation could break through once; that way, your promotion will be set in stone."

"Understood!"

"If there is nothing else, you may leave. I have a meeting to attend shortly."

...

The following day, Lu Yang and his companions intended to continue tracking the locations of the Reverse Lifespan Talismans based on their clues. Before they could step out the door, Helm Master Chu dispatched someone to deliver a message, requesting Lu Yang's presence.

Lu Yang did not understand why Helm Master Chu had summoned him alone. He grew secretly vigilant, sensing that something was amiss.

Helm Master Chu sat upon a jade chair, resting his head against his palm, his face masked, his voice hoarse. "I heard that you caught a thief last night and even found a yellow talisman paper that causes drowsiness?"

Lu Yang replied with utmost deference, "Yes. I suspected the yellow talisman was a method belonging to our demonic path, so I wished to locate the person who inscribed it, kill him for his possessions, and acquire the skill to draw such talismans!"

Helm Master Chu waved his hand. "While maintaining good relations before the officialdom is necessary, this time is different. The authorities will investigate this matter with full force, and a Core Formation cultivator has intervened; the truth will soon come to light. Do not meddle further, lest you expose your identity and embroil yourself within it."

"It is merely a talisman that induces sleep; it is not worth taking such a risk."

Lu Yang's heart skipped a beat. Helm Master Chu already knew of last night's events by this morning, and he even knew that a Core Formation cultivator would take action—a detail even Lu Yang himself had been unaware of.

The Yanjiang Helm had planted a mole within the government forces!