Chapter 936: Chapter 667: Gatekeeper_2
"The master said you possess a great treasure, but he does not wish for you to follow in the footsteps of the artifact’s last owner. You have extraordinary gifts, yet your thoughts are heavy. You should clear your mind and desire less, cultivate good deeds, otherwise, one day you might stray from the path and no one will be able to save you."
This so-called great treasure, could it be referring to this Underworld Robe? Does this senior recognize the previous owner of the robe?
At this moment, Yang Xiao also wasn’t sure, after all, he possesses many precious items, including the Underworld Robe, the Human Bone Staff, and the Ghost Duster among others.
These two, identified by the Sect Master of the Yu Yuan Sect as Netherworld-level Magic Artifacts, left Yang Xiao uncertain which one his uncle was actually referring to.
"May I ask which old friend my uncle is speaking of, would I recognize him?" Yang Xiao cautiously asked, his heart reaching his throat.
The next second, the figure behind the curtain slowly raised an arm, pointing to the copper plate in front of him, Yang Xiao’s eyebrows twitched, and his gaze fell on the Ghost Duster.
"Little Holy Spirit White Buddha?" Yang Xiao blurted out.
"Back then, Tu Jingzhe was just a junior. After I injured him, he fled swiftly. I didn’t expect that after so many years, he would actually make such a name for himself," the elder’s voice was tinged with sighs, seemingly lost in long memories, "It’s just a pity that he chose the wrong path and met such an end, even this protective Magic Artifact ended up in your hands."
Yang Xiao understood a bit now; back then he had used this Ghost Duster to fight a Ghost Slave in the town. At the crucial moment, Daoist Qingfeng came to his rescue, probably because his uncle had sensed this Magic Artifact.
"Your spiritual power is weak, yet you possess several great treasures; it seems you have encountered many unusual experiences. But whether this is fortune or misfortune, is still unknown." The elder’s voice was as thick as ever.
Since the conversation started, Yang Xiao felt a little relieved, and began to disclose his identity and experiences to his newly acknowledged uncle. His real name is Yang Xiao, currently the Deputy Director and Investigation Team Leader of the Rongcheng Patrol Division, also a commissioner of the Joint Action Bureau, a figure of some standing in Rongcheng, and also the Sect Hierarch of Xiang Ma Town gang, Sun and Moon Divine Sect, under the alias Dongfang Bai.
All this Yang Xiao disclosed by himself, considering that even if he didn’t say, with his uncle’s abilities, investigating them wouldn’t be difficult and there was no need for cover-ups.
"You killed the Pingxi Marquis, this matter cannot be concealed. For now, just stay in Xiang Ma Town, before long I will call another meeting with the other three families. If all goes well, you might take the Pingxi Marquis’s place," the elder said.
To Yang Xiao, this was an unexpected joy; not only was he not punished, but he also gained a position among the Four Major Families, a boon not easily found. "Uncle, thank you for your kindness, but... during this time I need to return to Rongcheng, otherwise they’ll start suspecting me."
Yang Xiao had just secured the position of Deputy Director of the Patrol Defense Office and Commissioner of the Action Bureau, and he definitely didn’t want to change allegiances since these positions hold more official weight than a so-called position among the town’s Four Major Families.
"I can’t stall this matter for long either; I give you three days, hurry back, and after three days we’ll have the meeting, the matter of the Pingxi Marquis needs to be settled." The elder did not insist on keeping Yang Xiao, "Also, do you still have the Pingxi Marquis’s Magic Artifacts?"
"All here," Yang Xiao honestly handed over the two Magic Artifacts he had taken from Pingxi Marquis, placing them on the ground.
"Qingfeng, take these artifacts and store them, record them in the accounts," the elder raised is heavy eyelids, glancing at Daoist Qingfeng standing behind Yang Xiao.
The latter naturally stepped forward, lowering his body, gently sweeping the artifacts into his wide sleeves with a brush of his robe.
Without further ado, the elder waved his hand, signaling Yang Xiao to leave. Yang Xiao cleverly bowed his head in a salute before closing his eyes. Under the guidance of Daoist Qingfeng, he left this mysterious space.
"Alright, you can open your eyes now."
After receiving permission from Daoist Qingfeng, Yang Xiao then opened his eyes, indeed, he was back at that spiral staircase, with no doors in sight anywhere around.
This is a place of true ghosts, a dangerous trap for the uninformed who might wander in, who might either die trapped or be killed by ghosts.
"Senior Brother Qingfeng, I cannot thank you enough; I will surely repay your kindness!" Knowing he owed a lot to Daoist Qingfeng for this rescue, Yang Xiao immediately expressed his gratitude.
Daoist Qingfeng has always had a good impression of Yang Xiao, narrowing his eyes and stroking the few whiskers on his chin, he smiled and said, "From now on, we are all family. Junior Brother, don’t be restrained. Senior Brother didn’t expect you to have such an incredible encounter."
"It’s all fate. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t wish it so." Yang Xiao didn’t lie; only he knew the hardships he had encountered along the way.
As Daoist Qingfeng saw Yang Xiao off from the hotel, he reminded, "Junior Brother, remember, you must go and return quickly. The murder of Pingxi Marquis is no small matter; if handled improperly, it could cause trouble."
"Surely those three families wouldn’t dare to trouble my Uncle Master?"
Daoist Qingfeng shook his head, his expression turning serious, "In the Peace Hotel, everyone must follow the rules, even our revered Master, the very same, rules are rules, and they cannot be broken. This time, saving you, Master has already broken the rules."
From the expression of Daoist Qingfeng, Yang Xiao understood a lot; this hotel wasn’t run by his Uncle Master, he wasn’t the owner, merely a gatekeeper.
In other words, he was hired to maintain order, responsible for dealing with troubles that other Ghost Slaves couldn’t handle. It was a transaction, and the person behind the scenes of the hotel was responsible for helping his Uncle Master hide, providing him a place to stay.
"You are a smart man; there are things I don’t need to say for you to understand. Go quickly and return quickly; Master and I are waiting for you." Daoist Qingfeng bid farewell with a bow, and the two parted ways.
At this moment, it was almost dawn. Yang Xiao dared not delay. To avoid additional complications, he directly used the power of the Soul-Capturing Mirror. After a few leaps, he arrived outside Xiang Ma Town, found a vehicle, and with the highest speed returned to Rongcheng, rushing to the Patrol Defense Office, just in time not to be late.
After sticking out a half-day work shift, Yang Xiao even took a nap on the sofa in the afternoon. After work in the evening, Yang Xiao found Fu Qingzhu and handed over the newly acquired mask to him.
In the car, seeing the You Character Mask in his hand, Fu Qingzhu was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Yang Xiao to be so efficient. It was only yesterday he had mentioned it, and today it was already in hand, but Yang Xiao’s slightly disordered breath still worried him.
"Where did this mask come from?" Fu Qingzhu asked while holding the mask, concerned.
"Borrowed it," Yang Xiao replied offhandedly.
"Are you in a hurry to return it?" Fu Qingzhu asked, "I might need to use it for a while, probably about a week."
Images of the dismembered body of Pingxi Marquis surfaced in Yang Xiao’s mind, he pondered for a moment, "No rush, you can use it for as long as you need, he won’t be needing it anytime soon."
"You... really borrowed it?" Fu Qingzhu suspected Yang Xiao might have engaged in some illegal acts, after all, the You Character Mask was a rare item. Counting the entire Rongcheng, it was hard to assemble even five such masks, otherwise, he as a Deputy Director wouldn’t have asked Yang Xiao.
"Really, don’t you trust me?" Yang Xiao looked earnestly at Fu Qingzhu, nodding affirmatively.
Since his own good brother had put it that way, Fu Qingzhu had no more to say. He was just borrowing it, not keeping it.
"Thank you, I’ll return it to you after a week, and also, please thank your friend for me, he is a good man," Fu Qingzhu carefully put away the mask, storing it in the inner compartment of his briefcase, showing how precious the item was.
"Wait a moment," Yang Xiao called to Fu Qingzhu.
"What’s wrong?"
"If you are planning to go to Xiang Ma Town, I suggest you don’t go for the time being, just wait a bit longer," Yang Xiao kindly advised.
"Why?" asked Fu Qingzhu.
"Xiang Ma Town might be a bit chaotic recently," Yang Xiao raised his hand, cutting off what Fu Qingzhu was about to say, "Just remember what I said, don’t ask further; if you have time, I can accompany you there after a week."
