Chapter 135: Past Life Wisdom

Mo Tang’s eyes were bright and piercing as she stared at Lu Bai, observing the changes in his expression.

She had already pieced together most of the story behind the Lu Family murder case in Liuxi Town, which had implicated several members of the Witch Race.

The only thing that truly puzzled her was Lu Bai himself.

According to the information she had gathered, Lu Bai had maintained a timid and honest persona for over a decade in Liuxi Town.

But the Lu Bai of today was meticulous and unbelievably audacious, having pulled off a series of major feats.

’How did he suddenly become so formidable?’

Tonight, he had even fought his way out of the County Government Mansion’s prison and dared to rush over to help her.

His talent in the Martial Dao was ordinary, yet now, he was on the verge of opening all Nine Acupoints of Inner Strength!

’Where did this terrifying cultivation speed come from?’

What was even stranger was his ability to exterminate malevolent spirits.

Martial Artists of the Inner Family or Innate levels couldn’t even see malevolent spirits without special tools, let alone exterminate them.

Even with Five Emperors Coins, it would be extremely difficult.

If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t bother. Everyone had their secrets, and she had no desire to pry.

But she was keen on recruiting Lu Bai into the Evil Extermination Bureau, which meant some things had to be clarified.

"Your Excellency has a keen eye. It seems I can’t hide anything from you."

Lu Bai started with a compliment, looking Mo Tang in the eye as he explained, "That night, I fled the city to take refuge and was plagued by a malevolent spirit. I fell into a nightmare, lost my senses, and tumbled off a cliff."

"By a stroke of luck, my fall was broken by some tree branches. But it was as if I had a long, vivid dream where I experienced many strange things, and I woke up with some odd memories in my mind."

"And after surviving that disaster, I found that my eyes could see certain unclean things that ordinary people can’t perceive."

This was the story Lu Bai had prepared long ago.

After all, the changes in him were so drastic that they were bound to arouse suspicion.

But he never expected the first person to question him would be the Morning Bell Ringer of the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Seeing Lu Bai’s frank expression and unwavering gaze, which didn’t seem feigned, Mo Tang nodded.

"So that’s it."

Mo Tang said, "You must have taken a trip to the Ghost Gate and back. That’s how you awakened the ability of the ’Yin-Yang Eye,’ allowing you to see Ghostly Creatures and other malevolent spirits."

"That’s how I learned about the Brick Mourning—from those memories."

Lu Bai feigned ignorance and asked curiously, "What about those strange memories?"

"That is an awakened past-life wisdom."

Mo Tang said, "The world is vast and full of wonders. If someone awakens their past-life wisdom, it’s like having a great dream, living another lifetime in a different world. They come away with new knowledge."

That being the case, it was no surprise that with the boost from this awakened wisdom, Lu Bai’s talent in the Martial Dao had soared, allowing him to reach his current Realm.

Although she didn’t know what Lu Bai had experienced in that other life, it was clearly because of it that he had become so meticulous and ruthless.

Everything made sense now.

This situation couldn’t be possession. Possession was a technique only a Nascent Soul True Monarch would understand.

The target’s body must be carefully chosen, possessing either an excellent Spirit Root or superior bone structure.

Lu Bai had neither.

Moreover, the act of possession was condemned by the Great Dao and was fraught with peril. It required extensive preparation and would never be attempted unless absolutely necessary.

Mo Tang said, "Lu Bai, come to the Evil Extermination Bureau and work for me. With your Yin-Yang Eye ability, it would be a complete waste not to."

Other Evil Exterminator Guards needed to use items like the Heart Mirror or a Yin Soul Compass to locate malevolent spirits.

With his Yin-Yang Eye, Lu Bai was a natural-born Evil Exterminator Guard!

And far more useful than any Heart Mirror or Yin Soul Compass.

In truth, Lu Bai had already considered this. His fruitless search for malevolent spirits had led him to this idea.

After all, a place like the Evil Extermination Bureau would have the most up-to-date intelligence on malevolent spirits everywhere.

If he could get in, he wouldn’t have to search blindly like a headless fly, relying solely on luck.

However, to join the Evil Extermination Bureau, one first needed connections.

The minimum Cultivation requirement was the Innate Realm.

And the conditions were extremely strict; one had to be an expert even among those in the Innate Realm!

Seeing Mo Tang’s personal invitation, Lu Bai was inwardly delighted but feigned modesty. "Your Excellency, I heard the minimum Cultivation to join the Evil Extermination Bureau is the Innate Realm. Am I qualified?"

"With your talent, reaching the Innate Realm is just a matter of time."

Mo Tang said, "Once things here are settled, you’ll come back to Jingzhou City with me. You can familiarize yourself with the Evil Extermination Bureau there, then pick out a suitable Innate Realm Technique for yourself. You’ll probably break through to the Innate Realm then."

"Thank you for this opportunity, Your Excellency."

Lu Bai expressed his thanks.

"Alright."

Mo Tang said, "There’s nothing else for you here. Go back and get some rest. I need to stay in Bluestone City for the next few days to handle matters."

Lu Bai nodded.

’The Prefect of Bluestone City was killed, leaving behind a total mess. There must be a ton of things to deal with.’

’Besides, the city’s Evil Exterminator Guards still haven’t returned.’

’Back in the underground prison, Lady Dou said something.’

’That those Evil Exterminator Guards wouldn’t be coming back.’

’She might have known something.’

’But there was no longer a chance to ask her.’

Lu Bai took a few steps, then remembered something. He turned back and asked, "Your Excellency, there is one more thing I’d like to ask you to handle."

"Speak."

"Boss Jin of the Underground Gambling House is dead. The Luo Family and the owner of Willow Shade Courtyard at the End of Bluestone Alley both placed large bets. Will those winnings be paid out?"

Mo Tang said, "That is none of your concern. It has nothing to do with you."

Lu Bai: "..."

’What does she mean, it has nothing to do with me?’

’It has everything to do with me.’

’I have ten thousand taels of silver riding on that bet.’

’I just gave all my money to Chen Qianqian. I can’t let this huge sum from the gambling house go down the drain.’

Mo Tang looked up, glanced at him, and said, "You placed a bet too, didn’t you."

"Heh, Your Excellency is brilliant."

Lu Bai gave an awkward laugh and said, "Just a small one."

"Go on back."

Mo Tang said, "The Drunken Flower House, the Underground Gambling House, and the Drunken Flower Tower have all been taken over by the Government Office. The money owed will be paid. If there isn’t enough cash, those three properties will be sold."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Lu Bai thanked her again.

Leaving the Evil Extermination Bureau, Lu Bai was feeling delighted.

’Once I join the Evil Extermination Bureau, not only will I be earning a government salary, but I’ll also get to exterminate evil and perform Soul Collection everywhere.’

’And in a few days, a huge sum of money will be coming my way.’

’Right, the Old Gambling Ghost still owes me a favor.’

’And at Willow Shade Courtyard, there’s a Treasure Artifact waiting for me.’

’Everything’s starting to look up.’

"BOK BOK!"

A familiar chicken call came from behind him.

Lu Bai turned to see Ah Ming racing toward him.

After returning to Bluestone City, Ah Ming had reverted to its dazed and stupid look and had stopped flying.

"Ah Ming, can you carry a person?"

Lu Bai asked in a low voice.

Ah Ming shuddered at the question and shook its head vigorously.

"What a shame."

Lu Bai thought with a sigh of regret.

’Being carried through the air by Mo Tang just now felt pretty good. I wanted to try it again.’

’I’ve heard many Cultivators can fly on cranes or other kinds of mount-type Demon Beasts.’

’The only one I have who can fly is Ah Ming.’

’It’s a bit on the plain side, but riding a Big Rooster through the sky... that would be pretty cool to think about.’

’It could even be a lifesaver in a critical moment.’

"You head back first."

Lu Bai said to Ah Ming.

He was going to swing by the Underground Gambling House first.

’If I run into the Old Gambling Ghost, I can ask him for a treasure to repay that favor. And while I’m at it, I can stock up on some goods.’

At the entrance of the gambling house.

Tonight, Bluestone City was unusually lively, its lights shining brightly.

There were many more stalls in the marketplace than usual.

Even with heavily armed guards on patrol, nothing could stop the bustling crowds.

The Old Gambling Ghost was curled up at the base of a wall, napping with his eyes closed.

Then, as if sensing something, he suddenly jolted, his eyes snapping open. He muttered, "Oh no, he’s coming for me!"

The Old Gambling Ghost straightened his clothes and said, "Ah well. The gambling house is closed, and the bad luck has dissipated. It’s time to repay my debt to him and leave this place."