"Right, that death row inmate…"
Yan Shouyi asked Xia Zhi, "Does he have any other identities? Why were so many assassins trying to snatch him?"
Xia Zhi replied, "In the years he was on the run after committing murder, he transformed into the boss of a money laundering syndicate. Those people have deep financial ties with him, which is why they risked their lives to snatch him… I suspect there are more influential people involved behind this. I must investigate thoroughly once we get back!"
Yan Shouyi nodded and urged Xia Zhi to be careful and to seek help from the Civil Cultivation sect if she encountered anything she couldn't handle.
Money laundering syndicates were no simple matter. Those who dealt with them were either rich or noble, and all possessed influence.
However, Yan Shouyi's interest in the death row inmate had nothing to do with these matters.
He primarily wanted to understand the origin of the evil he perceived through the Black Sarira.
Different people harbored different kinds of evil. From Yan Shouyi's perspective, the color, intensity, and even the location of this evil varied.
Understanding their circumstances would help Yan Shouyi classify and categorize the evil he saw, enabling him to better identify and assess other evildoers he encountered in the future.
For instance, the evil Yan Shouyi observed in the death row inmate was primarily concentrated around his heart and brain, indicating that the inmate was not only wicked in character but also corrupted at heart.
The man's death sentence was thoroughly deserved.
As for the burly men, their evil was mainly distributed within their brains, and it occupied a relatively small proportion of their bodies.
It was possible that while they committed misdeeds, they also offered seats to people on buses or helped old ladies cross the road at intersections.
After chatting with Xia Zhi for a few more moments, the next high-speed train to Longhu Mountain arrived. To avoid delaying their journey, Yan Shouyi and his companions bid farewell to Xia Zhi and continued on their way.
The sudden incident had not affected Yan Shouyi's group.
They were all seasoned individuals who had weathered many storms, so they paid the recent events no mind.
The high-speed train was bustling with many passengers coming and going. With nothing else to do, Yan Shouyi began observing them closely.
Each person was filled with the colors of various emotions and desires. Most people exhibited a majority of benevolent colors, but a small minority harbored predominantly evil thoughts.
They mostly appeared listless and shifty-eyed, or perhaps wore sullen faces, appearing resentful of the world, as if constantly plotting in their minds how to commit wicked deeds.
Through the Black Sarira, Yan Shouyi gained a deeper understanding of the common folk.
Finally, the train arrived at its destination.
This was Yan Shouyi's second visit to Yingtan, Jiangxi, and he felt a sense of nostalgia.
He wondered what that bookworm Yu Luming had done to Longhu Mountain!
There was also something else that piqued Yan Shouyi's curiosity.
When he had previously visited the Guanshanling Observation Platform on Longhu Mountain, he had encountered an elderly man holding a staff who was guarding the platform.
As Yan Shouyi was leaving, the old man had suddenly swatted his backside with his staff, muttering something about "old acquaintances meeting and being unable to resist."
At the time, Yan Shouyi hadn't thought much of it, but now, after all that had transpired and with him returning to this familiar place, he felt an inexplicable urge to uncover the old man's identity.
He resolved to find an opportunity to ask Yu Luming about it once they met.
Upon exiting the station, Yan Shouyi and his two companions spotted the Longhu Mountain reception personnel who had been waiting for them outside – Yan Shouyi's former flame Liu Yiren, and the Discipline Hall Master of the Heavenly Master's Mansion, Zhang Shanli.
The old and young stood by the business car, their faces beaming with joy upon seeing Yan Shouyi and his group.
"Long time no see!"
Yan Shouyi stepped forward and shook hands with both of them. He exchanged a glance with Liu Yiren before quickly averting his gaze.
"Uncle-Master, you look as robust as ever. You seem to have aged a few years younger in just over half a year!" he said, deliberately changing the subject and complimenting Zhang Shanli.
Zhang Shanli waved his hand with a chuckle, "You little rascal, talking nonsense. Do you think I don't know I've got more white hair? Alas, it's all due to Li Genmiao's schemes. The conflict between the two factions has worn me out. But now it's all good; the dispute is nearing its end, and I'm preparing to retire!"
Because Zhang Santong was Yan Shouyi's adoptive grandfather, Zhang Shanli, Zhang Santong's junior brother, was addressed as Uncle-Master by Yan Shouyi. This familial connection made their conversation remarkably cordial.
Zhang Shanli continued, "If you hadn't sent word last week, I wouldn't have believed there were still spies sent by Li Genmiao within Longhu Mountain. But now you can rest assured, I've already purged all those scoundrels."
Back in Changbai Mountain, the National Preceptor had threatened Yan Shouyi using Liu Yiren's safety. Fortunately, the National Preceptor's plan ultimately failed, and Longhu Mountain acted swiftly to identify and eliminate the infiltrators.
Given that it concerned Liu Yiren, she also spoke up, expressing her regret, "Many of them were elites of Longhu Mountain. It's a pity that the National Preceptor, being so cunning with age, is skilled at manipulating people's hearts."
Liu Yiren's past life was that of Princess Wenyan, and she had deep ties with the National Preceptor, which was why she referred to him directly as "National Preceptor" instead of "Li Genmiao."
"Let's discuss this further in the car!" Zhang Shanli beckoned. "The Heavenly Master is still waiting for us on Longhu Mountain!"
"Alright! Thank you for your trouble, Uncle-Master!"
They all boarded the car. Zhang Shanli drove himself, taking everyone to Longhu Mountain.
During the drive, Yan Shouyi repeatedly looked towards Luo Ning and Yuan Jianxin, hoping to strike up a conversation.
However, as if by prior agreement, the two of them deliberately ignored Yan Shouyi, leaving him to sit in awkward silence with Liu Yiren.
Seeing Yan Shouyi's discomfort, both of them struggled to suppress their laughter.
Yan Shouyi dejectedly patted his Zanpakuto.
Even the usually talkative Long Feicheng was deliberately staying silent. What a brotherly betrayer!
The atmosphere in the car was incredibly awkward, so Yan Shouyi could only ask Liu Yiren, "Yiren, that… is my child doing well?"
Yan Shouyi actually knew that it was Liu Yiren who had been protecting his son meticulously. Although Yu Luming, as the Heavenly Master, visited frequently, he couldn't possibly stay with the child at all times.
It seemed somewhat cruel for Liu Yiren to look after Yan Shouyi's and Lin Zitong's child.
However, considering the entire Longhu Mountain, there was no one more suitable than Liu Yiren. In this matter, Yu Luming only trusted Liu Yiren.
Liu Yiren offered a faint smile and said, "The child is doing very well. He can even call people now."
"Call people?"
"Ah… no, I misspoke."
Liu Yiren's expression became flustered, and she quickly waved her hands to brush it off.
However, in her mind, she recalled the previous night, when she was watching over Yan Shouyi's son, and the little fellow had suddenly called out "Mama" to her.
Even though it might have been the child's unconscious babbling, or perhaps Liu Yiren was hearing things, from that moment on, her heart had been completely captivated by the little one.
"Yiren is acting strangely," Yan Shouyi mused inwardly.
In the very next moment, Liu Yiren unexpectedly asked Yan Shouyi, "After your son is born, how about letting him recognize me as his godmother?"
"Ah???"