At first the baby's curled shape was still visible within it. Then the layers accumulated, and the shape became obscured. Then only the outermost curve of the cocoon was visible, and that too was thickening. The pointed-oval form it had begun with rounded gradually into something spherical.It grew larger.Then, without warning, the tree spirit sea stopped flowing.Almost simultaneously, the four statues stopped swallowing.Everything was still. Absolute quiet between the sky and the black earth.In the sky, a sphere of milky-white light floated at the dome — large, luminous, emitting a soft radiance that reached across the whole space.Mo Qian looked up at it.He knew.The first level of the Taizang Sutra was complete.He stood up. He looked at the sphere of light the way a person looks at something they genuinely did not know they were capable of producing. The feeling was not pride exactly. It was closer to awe — directed inward.A star.There was a star in his sea of consciousness

After the confrontation at the West City Gate, Jie Daohan had put all other matters aside and concentrated on investigating the deaths of Xie Lei and Xu Ruhu. Xie Lei was dead. No matter what his own situation was, regardless of politics or position, he would find who had done this. He was the head constable of the county's criminal department. And Xie Lei had been the same as a son to him. The corpse-rot poison linked the case to the Whale Tiger Gang. He had launched an immediate investigation. What the investigation turned up had shaken him. The Whale Tiger Gang had effectively ceased to exist in Xiangu County. The core membership had been nearly wiped out across three major cases several years ago. The two surviving leaders — Zhou Shoushan and the strategist Wu Hui — had been quietly in hiding for some time, occasionally emerging to purchase necessities. Then, a short time ago, both had simply vanished without any trace. This made Jie Daohan increasingly certain the case was co

Mo Qian felt a small stir inside. This kid is hinting at me again. Whatever he is about to ask must not be simple. When someone goes this far out of their way, they always want something in return.The second dish arrived.As it was brought in, Shi Kang took away the first.Mo Qian looked at the half plate of bean sprouts still left and felt a pang of regret. But Shi Kang had already taken it, so there was nothing to be said.Mo Qian turned his attention to the second dish. On the plate sat a duck's head, but the body behind it was shaped like a gourd. Mo Qian looked at it with curiosity. What kind of dish is this?"Brother Mo, this second dish is called Eight Treasure Gourd Duck.""It is another labor of craft. First, the whole duck must be deboned without breaking the skin. The feet and small wings are removed. Eight kinds of filling, including shrimp, mushroom, ham, and glutinous rice, are stuffed into the duck's body, which is then sewn shut and tied into the shape of a gourd, dee

Mo Qian let out a breath and said, "Once there is news, send word to me and I will reply to my friend.""It's getting late. Thank you for the meal. I'll head back to the bureau now."Ximen Kankan called Shi Kang over and offered to have him escort Mo Qian back. Mo Qian declined. With a lantern in hand, he made his way back to the Yuanshun Dart Bureau on his own.Ximen Kankan saw him off and then shut the courtyard gate of Xueyan Residence, remaining alone in the hall.He looked hungrily at the painting on the table and murmured, "Shuangshuang, I'm coming for you."With that, Ximen Kankan loosened his waistband. His trousers slipped down to his ankles, and two thick, pale legs came into view.Half an hour later, the door of Xueyan Residence opened again and Ximen Kankan stepped out looking drained. He called for Shi Kang and instructed him to find Qin Zhong."This late at night, the old man could be in any one of a dozen establishments. Where am I supposed to look?" Shi Kang groaned.X

The dart team did not head directly out of the city.As was customary, the team first made its way to the City God Temple to offer prayers for a safe journey and the safe delivery of the goods. This had been the established practice of the Yuanshun Dart Bureau for many years.The City God Temple of Xiangu County was said to have a history of thousands of years and had been renovated several times over the centuries. The age of the temple was nearly as old as the remote county itself.In Xiangu County, there had always been strange and enduring legends passed down through the generations telling of the City God enshrined within these walls.When the escort team arrived at the temple, Ruan Fengshan was already waiting there.As long as Ruan Fengshan was in Xiangu County, he never missed this ritual of paying respects to the City God. If he happened to be away, the team leader Luan Jingfu would preside over the ceremony in his place.Ruan Fengshan understood very well that this kind of o