— No matter what information I get from that person, I can't go any further in my investigation.
At least, it's not possible for the time being.
From Yang Guijin, I actually got information about my father's strength, that he could single-handedly make the Hall Official ashamed to lift its head.
This subverts my previous understanding of my parents.
Which means a point, that my dad's origin family, the so-called Maternal family of Luo, is extremely simple. I cannot find that family with a certain purpose, thinking that I have found my parents and the root.
What if that family is hostile to me?
At least, I need to have the power to protect myself.
The current strength is not enough to protect myself.
Getting out of Gaotian Guan is a stroke of luck, accidentally knocking Gao Tianshu down a level and bringing out this bronze mallet to launch it, is even luckier.
Good fortune once or twice, won't last beyond a third time.
I need to really calm down, cause less trouble, and immerse myself in studying Taoist arts.
...
The next day, when I woke up, the sky was very bright.
Mienying had already bought breakfast and was waiting for me in the courtyard.
After we finished eating, just before we left, I still put the bronze mallet into the backpack Mienying had given me.
This premise is based on Mienying telling me that the backpack is special, capable of bearing this weight.
Then, after leaving our residence, Mienying and I chatted about the identity and abilities of the person who knows about the skin-stripping creature.
Mienying had never met the person before, and all the information she knew came from Liang Yu.
The person's name is Panyu, who is not from Jianghuang City, and has a solitary and perverse character. He currently works as a corpse collector at the mortuary.
Liang Yu also found out about Panyu through a friend, who mentioned that Panyu had mentioned the words "skin-stripping creature" while drunk, which is why she investigated Panyu.
As for what we want to ask about, we still need to put in the effort ourselves.
I nodded, not feeling anything wrong at all.
If Liang Yu gets involved too much, without her it will be harder to continue, the less she interferes, the better things will be.
Panyu's residence is an old street on the outskirts of Jianghuang City, with a row of shabby bungalows on either side of the road. A few willow trees were planted at the doorstep.
In the middle of the willow trees, there was a wooden table with a chessboard, and two people were playing chess. Around them were dog-headed advisors watching the spectacle, occasionally whispering to each other and offering strategic advice.
The two chess players were one a laborer with a towel draped over his shoulder, resembling a migrant worker.
The other person was dressed very neatly, but his skin had a reddish tint, giving him a dirty feeling.
This kind of scene is very common, like the entrance of a vegetable market, and there are more of such scenes in the evening parks and narrow alleys. A game of chess often attracts a lot of onlookers.
Mienying and I did not interrupt them, but waited quietly.
It was noon when the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only the middle-aged man with the dark-red skin. He slowly walked towards the courtyard of the bungalow beside the willow tree.
In fact, I had already recognized him as Panyu.
The reason was simple. Although he was clean and his skin was not white, the evil aura exuded from his body and eyes could not be erased, especially the faint odor of corpses that emanated from him. Even if he was washed the cleanest, the smell would still escape my nose.
Mienying then approached, and I followed behind.
"Panyu?" Mienying greeted.
The middle-aged man did not acknowledge us and, after entering the threshold, reached for the door handle to close it.
Mienying's brow immediately furrowed as she took two quick steps forward and extended her hand to block the door.
The middle-aged man looked up, and his gaze at Mienying was full of malevolence.
"I don't know you."
He was indeed Panyu, with a voice like a male duck, grating on the ears and exuding a hint of impatience.
"Can you play chess but not have patience to see your peers?" Mienying did not retreat and spoke softly.
"Seeing peers requires patience, but I have no patience for Taoists." Panyu glanced at me, his eyes showing even more impatience.
My pupil shrank. How did Panyu guess that I am a Taoist?
From Liang Yu's side, it was said by Mienying.
I was not wearing a Taoist robe, and I did not have a fly whisk or peachwood sword on me.
Is Panyu's gaze really that sharp?
Plus, why are Taoists so disliked in Jianghuang City?
Mienying frowned slightly, stared at Panyu for a moment, and then explained, "My friend is not a Taoist in Jianghuang City, but just a wandering Taoist. We came to you through another friend and our purpose is to ask you for some information. The money is not an issue."
"Since you're associated with Taoists, I have no interest. Money is not something I lack. If you want it, come in yourself, and I can give it to you."
Panyu still didn't treat me well.
However, it seems that Panyu can tell that I have some strength and is not afraid of me.
But his attitude towards Mienying's words and expressions, his eyes filled me with a knot in my chest, and I had a lump of fire in my throat.
Mienying's expression also changed.
Panyu glanced up and down at Mienying, his eyes incredibly shameless.
"Don't come in, or get out." He spoke again, his tone light-hearted yet cold and ruthless.
Mienying didn't respond, and I stepped forward, my forearm suddenly lifted, my two fingers pinching, and directly striking at Panyu's neck!
This move was originally a barber's technique, and if there were a blade in hand, it would be a throat-cutting move!
Panyu stepped back instantly, and I suddenly crossed the threshold, my movements faster, a kick planted on the path behind Panyu, my body spinning around, and my other leg forcibly stamping down on his knee pit!
Panyu was about to dive to avoid it, and my hands moved faster, grabbing his shoulder!
At the time I first went to the Hall Official, I dared to attack any of its members.
Panyu is a corpse collector, which isn't a common profession among the nine flows, but to me, there's nothing to be arrogant or haughty about.
"You're not a Taoist!" Panyu's tone was slightly suspicious. He no longer dodged and did a somersault in place!
I stepped on air! I didn't land on his knee pit!
His body in mid-air, with a flip, his legs were about to land on my shoulder!
My expression changed as well.
Not just a corpse collector, but also with the abilities of a ghostly hag who can point the stars to fight!
That's why, his attitude is so arrogant!
My hands suddenly thrust upwards to meet Panyu's feet!
The ghostly hag does have weaknesses, and the flaw in the technique of pointing the stars is before landing on the shoulder!
Panyu let out a cold snort, and his feet suddenly lifted, as if to retreat by touching my palm.
I forcefully erected two fingers, without hesitation, and brutally thrust upwards!
A muffled grunt, as if bones were breaking, Panyu's feet suddenly retracted upwards, and he immediately lost control.
I snapped my head back hard, crashing into his Dantian at the abdomen with a loud thud.
Panyu fell heavily to the ground, and also overturned a table inside the house.
A sharp intake of breath was heard from his mouth, and he stood up, but his feet shook uncontrollably. He still covered his abdomen with his hand, clearly in excruciating pain.
"He can break the technique of pointing the stars... using a simple barber's move to hit my vulnerable point..."
"You're carrying a peachwood sword, and the tip of the copper sword is visible in your sleeve... so what kind of Taoist are you?"
Panyu asked in a hoarse voice.
I looked at him coldly and said indifferently, "That's something you don't need to worry about."
"Apologize first."
"Apologize?" Panyu was taken aback, and he narrowed his eyes to say, "Apologize for what? You came to my door with requests, and you hurt me. Who should apologize?"
