Chapter Thirty-Four: The Blasphemous Sect

After reaching a consensus, the three of them entered the room at the top floor together.

Inside, Fan Jiu lay collapsed on the ground, drenched in cold sweat, his expression hopeless. Ling Ji sat before a dressing mirror, testing cosmetics she had acquired from Fan Jiu's maid. Her beauty was stunning, clad only in a black fur coat, with her shoulders and thighs exposed, her skin radiant as jade, her figure slender but not frail.

Liang Zhi entered, glanced at Ling Ji once, then twice, then three times…

“This young lady is really something…” he muttered.

Had it been in his previous life, Liang Zhi would have turned away in embarrassment, perhaps sneaking a peek now and then. But in this life, he wanted to live well. Since Ling Ji dared to dress so boldly, why should he be afraid to look? Everyone has an instinct to appreciate beauty; Liang Zhi was simply following his nature.

Yet his demeanor made Qiu Shilu grind her teeth in annoyance. She had spent quite some time with Liang Zhi, but still couldn’t figure him out. Was he a ‘hero’ or a ‘villain’?

“That woman is so ugly, like an ostrich—no feathers on her head or feet,” Lord Crow suddenly squawked.

Whatever thoughts Liang Zhi had vanished instantly. He flicked Lord Crow’s head gently. “You killjoy! How would you know what beauty looks like?”

Xie Zhitou pointed at Fan Jiu. “He’s the mastermind behind those abduction cases. As long as we kill him, we can wrap up our operation to destroy this base.”

Then he gestured toward Ling Ji. “As for her…”

Ling Ji clasped her hands together, feigning shyness. “I’m innocent, really! I just came to watch the excitement. I never had any part in what this fat man did.”

Fan Jiu, until then despondent, suddenly pointed at Ling Ji. “She’s a witch from the Profane Cult. Wherever they go, chaos and disaster follow. She’s my key partner—she’s here to help me seize the position of family head.”

He knew he was doomed, but even in death, he wanted to drag the witch down with him.

Ling Ji covered her mouth with one hand and waved the other lightly. “My, how unpleasant your words are.”

Liang Zhi looked at Lord Crow.

Lord Crow scratched his head with a wing. “Fatty’s story is nine parts true, one part false.”

After introducing the two, Xie Zhitou said, “The mastermind is here; the witch is no better. Since the three of us came together, how to deal with the two of them should be decided together.”

Liang Zhi waved his hand. “Leave their fate aside for now. There’s a bigger problem—there’s a pack of mechanical beasts in the basement, at least seven or eight! In ten minutes or so, they’ll break out and start slaughtering indiscriminately!”

He grabbed Fan Jiu by the collar. “Tell me—is there any way to drive those beasts back?”

Fan Jiu burst into wild laughter. “Drive them back? Impossible! They’ll kill everyone nearby—ha ha ha! At least plenty will die with me.”

Lord Crow spoke again. “He’s telling the truth.”

Liang Zhi and Qiu Shilu’s faces changed. They themselves could escape the mechanical beasts, but what about the others on Bowang Street? Would they let them be massacred?

Xie Zhitou suddenly smiled. “Actually, there’s a simple way to deal with those mechanical beasts—just call in the officials from Dazhu, let them handle the mess. For example…the Air Cavalry.”

“But didn’t you say only the special horn can summon the Air Cavalry?” Liang Zhi frowned.

“Normally, yes,” Xie Zhitou replied, taking out a lighter. “But if we make enough noise, they’ll have to come. This wooden building is enormous—if it burns, it’ll become a giant beacon, visible for miles. That’s a clear sign for the Air Cavalry.”

“No way! What about the employees of Lan Pavilion Tobacco Shop?” Qiu Shilu protested immediately.

There were many unconscious staff in this wooden building. Unlike those underground, most were simply earning a living for their families.

Xie Zhitou shook his head. “But this way, we can save more people.”

In that moment, the aura of pure kindness faded from Xie Zhitou, replaced by cold rationality.

“Stop arguing,” Ling Ji suddenly raised her hand. “If you want to call the Air Cavalry quickly, I can do it. But once I help you, you’ll have to let me go.”

Qiu Shilu’s eyes lit up. “You have a way?”

Ling Ji walked to the center of the room, tugged a cord hanging from the chandelier, and two panels in the ceiling opened, revealing the starry sky above.

Beneath the stars hung a massive curved ‘bowl.’

It was a giant horn!

“What’s this horn for? An alarm?” Liang Zhi asked curiously.

Ling Ji shook her head. “No, it’s a weapon—a weapon belonging exclusively to Fan Jiu.”

At that moment, Fan Jiu realized what Ling Ji intended. He sprang up, trying to grab her throat, but Qiu Shilu broke his leg with a punch.

Xie Zhitou looked satisfied. “Go on.”

“This horn is specially crafted, able to amplify sound dozens or even hundreds of times. Combined with Fan Jiu’s abilities, it can emit powerful sonic attacks—such a loud noise will surely attract the Air Cavalry.”

With each word Ling Ji spoke, Fan Jiu wilted further. He hadn’t expected that in such a short time, Ling Ji had already figured him out completely.

“Fan Jiu has abilities? He’s an ability-user?” Liang Zhi tapped Fan Jiu’s head with his battle flag.

Ling Ji nodded. “Yes, he’s a ‘Maestro.’”

Lord Crow whispered in Liang Zhi’s ear, “Maestros are a branch of the Equilibrium Faction. They can use any part of their body as an instrument, wielding sound as a weapon.”

“I’ve never seen such an unrefined Maestro,” Xie Zhitou, normally unflappable, was surprised. All the Maestros he’d encountered were elegant, capable of playing beautiful music with a wave of the hand.

As for Fan Jiu…

His mere presence was enough to disgust.

Liang Zhi urged, “In that case, what are we waiting for? We can’t waste any more time.”

“There’s one more thing—what do you want him to say?” Ling Ji asked curiously.

Liang Zhi pondered for two seconds. “Let him confess his crimes, expose Lan Pavilion Tobacco Shop, Peach Blossom Spring… and everything about the Dazhu officials!”

Ling Ji feigned shock, though her eyes gleamed with excitement. “Are you sure? That’ll cause a huge uproar!”

Liang Zhi’s eyes sparkled even brighter at the prospect. “I love chaos—the bigger, the better!”

Ling Ji giggled. “If you didn’t already have powers, I’d want to bring you into the Profane Cult. You’re a natural-born troublemaker.”