Chai Xian… Jing Xin’s gaze flickered momentarily, but he maintained his composure and asked, “What brings you here, benefactor?”

Chai Xian furrowed his brow and countered, “And why is the venerable master here?”

Jing Xin put away his golden alms bowl and fixed his gaze on the black-clad figure a few zhang away. “This humble monk and his junior brother Jing Yuan set a trap to lure out the mastermind behind the recent disturbances, using the Buddhist Vajra Divine Skill as bait. I pursued the culprit into the mountains and happened upon you, benefactor.”

The handsome monk then clasped his hands together, his face filled with compassion. “Amitabha. Benefactor Chai lay down your blade and return to the righteous path.”

Chai Xian replied in a deep voice, “So the venerable master is just like other foolish people, convinced that I am the murderer.”

Jing Xin’s expression remained unchanged as he maintained his clasped hands. “If you are not the culprit, benefactor, why are you here?”

Chai Xian answered, “After my adoptive father’s death, I became entangled in a conspiracy. Someone deliberately framed me. Xiao Lan also went missing because of this. To find her and uncover the true culprit behind the scenes, I’ve been investigating in secret. Today, while pursuing my investigation, I happened to encounter the venerable master…”

He then proceeded to tell Jing Xin about his experiences in detail.

Chai Xian’s handsome face was filled with sincerity as he spoke, calmly meeting Jing Xin’s gaze without averting his eyes, appearing honest and open.

Jing Xin stared at him intently without blinking. After Chai Xian finished speaking, the monk furrowed his brow and pondered for a while before saying, “Actually, there’s a simpler way to prove your innocence, benefactor.”

Chai Xian’s eyes lit up as he asked eagerly, “Please, tell me, venerable master.”

Jing Xin spoke slowly, “This humble monk can impose upon you the precepts I’ve observed. As monks do not lie, you will be unable to speak falsehoods. Then, the truth will be revealed with a single question.”

Chai Xian thought for a moment, then nodded. “That’s an excellent method. If I’m not the murderer, I hope the venerable master can testify on my behalf. I’ve met someone before who was willing to believe me, but I never expected…”

His face contorted with hatred. “I never expected that person to be a hypocritical and cruel villain who murdered an innocent family of three.”

Hearing this, Jing Xin asked, “Who was it that saw you before me?”

Chai Xian shook his head. “I didn’t know him. At the time, he was bent over an orange cat and claimed to be a wandering cultivator passing through Xiangzhou. He believed that the Chai family case had many suspicious points and that the real culprit was someone else.”

“I made arrangements with this person, using a farmer’s family as a contact point to exchange information. But unexpectedly, after just one day, that family of three was killed. Besides him, no one else knew I had been hiding there.”

A stranger passing through, bending over an orange cat… Jing Xin pondered for a moment, then suddenly seemed to realize something. Without asking further, he said, “Benefactor Chai, do not speak falsehoods.”

As the words fell, Chai Xian felt a deafening sensation and an intangible yet vast power descended upon him, making him sincerely believe that lying was an unforgivable sin.

If a person doesn’t speak the truth, they cannot be called human.

Jing Xin asked, “Did you kill Chai Jianyuan?”

Chai Xian shook his head. “I did not kill him.”

Jing Xin nodded slowly, unsurprised by this answer. He then asked, “Were you the one who manipulated the corpses to attack Sanshui Town earlier?”

Chai Xian shook his head again, his face sincere. “It wasn’t me.”

Hearing this response, Jing Xin finally frowned, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. Taking advantage of the remaining time under the precept, he pressed on, “Do you know who killed Chai Jianyuan? Who attacked Sanshui Town?”

Chai Xian answered truthfully, “I suspect it was my aunt, Chai Xing’er. The person who attacked Sanshui Town is her accomplice, the mastermind who has never appeared.”

The “precept” spell had only a moment left, but Jing Xin asked no more questions. He lowered his gaze and pondered for a long while before saying, “Benefactor Chai, Buddhism teaches compassion. Since we’ve met tonight, let’s resolve this matter swiftly and decisively.”

Chai Xian cautiously asked, “What does the venerable master intend to do?”

Jing Xin replied, “Take you back to confront Benefactor Chai Xing’er.”

Chai Xian retreated step by step, shaking his head. “Venerable master, I have withstood the test of the ‘precept’ and my conscience is clear. But how can you prove yourself?”

He trusted no one, especially after the incident with Er Ya’s family being killed. His last shred of trust in these outsiders had completely vanished.

“If the venerable master truly wants to clear my name, I can control a corpse to go with you. Gather the heroes and officials of Xiangzhou for another demon-slaying assembly. I will explain everything publicly, and you can testify for me then.”

“Tomorrow, I will manipulate a corpse to appear outside the Chai residence. If the venerable master is sincere, we can communicate through the corpse tomorrow.”

With that, Chai Xian retreated into the forest, intending to leave.

“Return to the righteous path!”

At that moment, a deep voice came from behind, and an invisible yet overwhelming force descended upon Chai Xian, instinctively making him turn around and return to the edge of the ravine.

From the sleeve of Jing Xin’s kasaya, a rope woven with golden threads shot out, instantly binding Chai Xian.

Not only that, but Chai Xian found that the energy in his dantian had become like dead water. No matter how he tried to mobilize it, there was no response.

With a difference of one cultivation rank between them, capturing Chai Xian was effortless for Jing Xin.

…

Outside Sanshui Town, under the pitch-black night sky, flames burned brightly.

The warrior monk Jing Yuan stood motionless by the roadside, holding a torch. His thin kasaya clung tightly to his body in the night wind, outlining his muscular physique.

Jing Yuan’s ears twitched slightly as he looked towards the night ahead.

Soon, two figures emerged from the darkness, their outlines gradually becoming clear as the orange glow illuminated their features.

They were Jing Xin, wearing the same kasaya, and Chai Xian, bound by dark golden ropes.

“This is Chai Xian,” Jing Xin said.

Jing Yuan let out a breath, a smile appearing on his stern face. “We’ve finally caught him. How did it go?”

Jing Xin’s expression was solemn as he shook his head. “He didn’t kill Chai Jianyuan, nor was he the one who manipulated the corpses to attack the town earlier.”

Jing Yuan’s eyes widened slightly, seemingly very surprised. “How is that possible?”

Jing Xin nodded first, then smiled. “But our guess wasn’t wrong.”

He looked back at Chai Xian.

Jing Yuan immediately understood his senior brother’s meaning, his face unable to hide his joy as he transmitted, “Is Chai Xian truly the host of the dragon qi?”

Jing Xin nodded and said, “And he’s one of the nine crucial dragon qi hosts.”

They couldn’t extract the dragon qi, and could only see it with the aid of magical tools, but there were patterns they could follow to find dragon qi hosts.

Dragon qi hosts would experience “good fortune” in a short period, rising rapidly, gaining fortuitous encounters, or accomplishing great deeds, rather than remaining obscure. A prime example was the Great Feng’s Constable Xu Qi’an.

Therefore, when the two came to Xiangzhou and heard about Chai Xing’er convening a demon-slaying assembly, with the Chai family case causing an uproar throughout the city, the brothers Jing Xin and Jing Yuan guessed that Chai Xian was likely to be a dragon qi host.

“In that case, a senior brother should immediately initiate Chai Xian into monkhood and hand him over to our master or the Dujing Arhat, so they can take him back to the Western Regions,” Jing Yuan’s face lit up with excitement. “Such a figure must be secured.”

Jing Xin nodded, then shook his head, his face serious as he transmitted, “I tried earlier, but his obsession runs too deep to be converted immediately unless we help him solve this case. Also, don’t forget, brother, Xu Qi’an is in Xiangzhou. I was just about to discuss this matter with you.”

Jing Yuan’s expression became solemn.

“We now have two paths before us:

“First, we can hide away with Chai Xian. In at most two days, Uncle Master Dunan will arrive in Xiangzhou, and by then, the situation will be settled, but it might also scare away Xu Qi’an.

“Second, we can take Chai Xian back to the Chai residence to confront Chai Xing’er and solve this case.”

Jing Yuan understood, “And Li Lingsu is also at the Chai residence. He will surely do everything he can to notify Xu Qi’an, and we can use this opportunity to lure out Xu Qi’an.”

They had long since uncovered Li Lingsu’s identity.

Jing Xin nodded, sighing helplessly, “Although we don’t know how he became so proficient in various insect control techniques, he is indeed troublesome, and we can’t find him. We can only use this open strategy to invite him into our trap.”

Here, the brothers needed to make a choice: was the dragon qi host more important or was the Buddha’s son more crucial?

The answer was self-evident.

Jing Yuan transmitted, “Using Chai Xian as bait is worth a try. Xu Qi’an may have cunning methods, but his true combat strength is not at the fourth rank. This is a good opportunity to subdue him. If he doesn’t come, we lose nothing.”

With their discussion concluded, Jing Xin turned to Chai Xian, clasped his hands, and said, “Benefactor Chai, this humble monk will now take you back to the Chai residence. I will use the ‘precept’ to question Benefactor Chai Xing’er. Then, the truth will come to light.”

Chai Xian sighed and looked back at Jing Xin. “Do I have a choice? I only hope the venerable master will keep his word.”

…

In a cellar used for storing vegetables at the Chai residence.

Li Lingsu’s spirit arrived at the cellar door and saw an orange cat lying on the ground, sleeping.

“Senior?” he called out.

The cat ignored him and glanced behind the door.

Li Lingsu understood and easily passed through the tightly locked door, entering the cellar. In the pitch-black environment, he “saw” a figure sitting cross-legged.

“Senior, I’ve questioned Chai Zhong and Chai Kai,” Li Lingsu said.

He recounted in detail the conversation from the dream to Xu Qi’an.

Apart from Chai Xian’s extreme personality, there wasn’t a shred of useful information… Xu Qi’an grumbled inwardly, but outwardly remained calm and said, “I understand.”

Li Lingsu nodded slightly and took his leave.

In the dark environment, Xu Qi’an sat cross-legged on the ground. He had chosen this vegetable cellar because it was not far from the south courtyard of the Chai residence, within the range his heart insects could cover.

Silently, all the animals in this area simultaneously awakened.

These included, but were not limited to, rats, snakes, dogs, cats, and insects… The main force consisted of insects, rats, and snakes, which lived in wall cavities or deep in the foundations.

They were the most numerous and also the most inconspicuous.

As for cats and dogs, they could only roam outside the houses, limiting the information they could gather.

House snakes awoke from hibernation, slithering in dark, hidden corners. Rats emerged from their burrows, scurrying between the rafters. Insects began a large-scale “march.”

At this moment, Xu Qi’an felt as if his primordial spirit had been split into countless fragments, each fragment corresponding to an animal.

“My head hurts so much, I can only hold on for five minutes at most…”

Under normal circumstances, when a heart insect master controls a swarm of beasts, they simply issue commands to drive the swarm to attack enemies. This doesn’t put too much strain on oneself.

Xu Qi’an’s approach, however, was a delicate operation. Controlling a few animals was no problem, but once the number expanded, the burden on his primordial spirit became immense.

“Fortunately, there aren’t many courtyards in this south area. After five minutes, whether I’ve gained anything or not, I’ll have to stop the control…”

…

Li Lingsu’s spirit had been out of his body for a long time, consuming a great deal of energy. Upon returning, he immediately climbed into bed and fell into a deep sleep, embracing his beauty.

In his hazy state, he was awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door.

Soon after, he heard Chai Xing’er’s voice, somewhat irritated at having her sleep disturbed: “What is it?”

“Aunt, Master Jing Xin, and Master Jing Yuan have returned and wish to see you,” the maid’s voice sounded strange.

Chai Xing’er frowned slightly. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”

The maid replied in a low voice, “The two masters have also brought back Chai… Chai Xian.”

Chai Xian?! Li Lingsu was instantly awake. Then, he heard his red-haired confidante fall silent for a moment before speaking in a hoarse, seductive voice:

“Please ask the two masters to go to the inner hall. I’ll be there immediately.”

With that, Chai Xing’er immediately threw off the covers and quickly dressed, picking up a jade hairpin to hastily arrange her hair into a simple bun.

After doing all this, she turned back to look at Li Lingsu, who had already opened his eyes.

He frowned, his eyes weary, seeming to still be under the influence of alcohol. He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, “Xing’er, I’ll accompany you.”

Chai Xing’er nodded but couldn’t wait. “I’ll go to the inner hall first.”

This was exactly what Li Lingsu wanted to hear. “Alright!”

After Chai Xing’er left the room, he immediately sent out his spirit, rushing towards the cellar where Xu Qi’an was located.

…

At this hour, except for the night patrol guards, everyone in the Chai residence had retired for the night.

The buildings in the south courtyard were mostly used for storing books, weapons, and other items, along with an ancestral hall.

Not many people lived in this area.

Xu Qi’an had only spent two minutes “peeking” into all the rooms in the south courtyard without finding anything unusual.

“Only the ancestral hall is left to explore…”

He manipulated the snakes, insects, rats, and ants towards the ancestral hall.

At this moment, Xu Qi’an sensed something and, through the orange cat standing guard outside, “saw” Li Lingsu’s spirit approaching.

A second later, the Holy Son’s spirit passed through the cellar door and appeared before him.

“Senior, Jing Xin and Jing Yuan have captured Chai Xian.”