: Ink Pool Enlightenment

2025-05-24 Author: Gu Zhenren

Just the first night, a male consort died, and he was one of the highest-ranked among them.

This both shocked and angered Wen Ruan Yu, but it also ignited his hope of uncovering the traitor. He found Ning Zhuo and invited him along: "Jiao Ma, your strategy is truly effective. It’s only the first night, and the traitor has been forced to act."

Ning Zhuo, however, remained calm and shook his head slightly. "Let’s investigate first before jumping to conclusions."

Would the traitor really act on the very first attempt?

If it truly was the traitor who acted, then they must be confident in their methods.

But if it wasn’t, then this investigation wouldn’t achieve their original goal.

Seeing Ning Zhuo’s expression, Wen Ruan Yu was slightly taken aback and asked, "Jiao Ma, do you have other thoughts?"

"I’m not optimistic about this," Ning Zhuo said, laying out his thoughts plainly.

Wen Ruan Yu was stunned once more, then sighed. "Though your appearance is different, your reaction is quite similar to my Senior Sister Meng’s."

This time, it was Ning Zhuo’s turn to freeze.

Wen Ruan Yu didn’t notice Ning Zhuo’s reaction. He looked up and sighed deeply. "Lately, I’ve been thinking about Senior Sister Meng a lot."

"It must be the pressure from this ghost tide!"

"Especially after the death of the Mourning Music Ghost Musician, I’ve been filled with doubts and can’t help but overthink things."

"So, I keep wondering, if Senior Sister Meng were still here, what would she do? She didn’t have the help of divination cultivators back then either. Why was she always so wise and decisive?"

Ning Zhuo comforted Wen Ruan Yu with a few words, then deliberately said, "Senior Wen, unlike the White Paper City Lord and the citizens, you come from the Myriad Phenomena Sect."

"If White Paper Immortal City falls and you have to retreat, the sect surely can’t fault you for it."

Wen Ruan Yu glanced at Ning Zhuo, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "You don’t understand how many years I’ve been stationed in this immortal city."

"At first, it was just a request from Senior Sister Meng. But as time passed, my attachment to this city grew deeper, and I can’t bear to abandon it now."

"You might not know this, but the City Lord’s true form is unwell. Even with paper puppet clones, they only appear for major events."

"On ordinary days, I handle the city’s internal affairs, while Tie Gu Zheng is responsible for its defense."

"Many of the city’s constructions originated from my ideas, and some were even built by my own hands!"

"Take the Ink Pool, for example. Although it was set up by Senior Sister Meng, it has been damaged over ten times since then, and each time, I’ve mobilized people to repair and improve it."

Ning Zhuo felt a bit puzzled. "Although I’m not a Confucian cultivator, I know a little about this. Is the Ink Pool really that easily damaged?"

Wen Ruan Yu revealed a secret: "As the saying goes, the environment shapes the people. The ghost tribe has thrived here, with a naturally dark temperament, prone to violence and conflict, much like barbarians. At first, they were extremely difficult to manage and could hardly coexist peacefully with humans."

"The White Paper Immortal City you see today, and the current cultural landscape of this Yin Tide Black Marsh wetland, are all achievements of the Ink Pool."

"We adjusted the ink in the pool, making it the primary drinking water source for the entire city and the surrounding villages."

"Over time, this influence has imbued the ghost tribe with literary energy, reducing their inherently sinister nature and making them more refined and elegant. This allowed our schools and other institutions to educate the ghost tribe, teaching them various knowledge and helping them thrive."

"However, the ghost tribe naturally resisted being altered by such external forces. So, for a long time, they tried every means to sabotage the Ink Pool, succeeding many times."

Hearing this, Ning Zhuo had another question: "So, before Senior Meng... came to this city, White Paper Immortal City was completely different from how it is now?"

Wen Ruan Yu nodded without hesitation. "Of course!"

"When I first followed Senior Sister Meng here, the population was sparse, and the place was desolate. Such a place, being close to the underworld, had far too much Yin energy. With the ghost tide attacks, what normal cultivator would come here?"

"There were some human cultivators who primarily used ghost tribesmen, but their numbers were even smaller. Due to their sinister nature, the ghost tribesmen were strictly guarded and controlled by human cultivators, with most serving as slaves."

"Senior Sister Meng was inherently kind and tolerant. She treated all things with equality, which I especially admired."

"Not long after arriving here and understanding the situation, she told us she had a plan to revitalize White Paper Immortal City."

Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred, and he blurted out, "Was it to harness the power of the ghost tribe?"

Wen Ruan Yu chuckled. "Exactly."

"The ghost tribe, being half-Yin and half-Yang, are naturally suited to this wetland."

"They are far more adapted to this land than humans and can even enter the main course of the Nether Python River to explore the underworld!"

"But their population and strong individuals were tightly suppressed by humans. Meanwhile, humans were too few to even manage the place properly. In Senior Sister Meng’s eyes, this was a tremendous waste!"

"So, she sought our opinions and eventually chose Confucian methods: establishing the Ink Pool to educate the ghost tribe in the wetland, helping them shed their barbaric ways and become the true backbone for governing this wetland."

Ning Zhuo felt a surge of admiration. "This Senior Meng is truly remarkable. ‘The environment shapes the people,’ but she changed the very water here, thereby transforming the entire region’s cultural landscape. Such vision and foresight are truly praiseworthy."

"Of course," Ning Zhuo added, turning to Wen Ruan Yu, "without your persistence and dedication, Senior Wen, White Paper Immortal City wouldn’t have achieved such educational results."

Wen Ruan Yu was pleased to hear Ning Zhuo praising both Meng Yao Yin and himself. "It’s precisely because of the long-term influence of the Ink Pool that we’ve relaxed restrictions on the ghost tribe, vigorously supporting and developing their population, using them as labor to develop the entire Yin Tide Black Marsh wetland."

"In managing the administration, I specifically focused on developing numerous villages and towns around the immortal city. These settlements are supported by a few human cultivator families, with the ghost tribe making up the majority of the population."

"Now, our influence has spread to forty percent of the wetland."

"This time, when White Paper Immortal City faced destruction, the City Lord issued an order, and so many people came to our aid. It’s truly gratifying."

"On one hand, it’s due to the City Lord’s generous rewards. But on the other hand, it shows that our educational efforts have taken root. Both humans and ghost tribesmen alike are loyal to White Paper Immortal City."

This conversation gave Ning Zhuo a deeper understanding of White Paper Immortal City’s history.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the crime scene.

Shen Bing’s body remained untouched, deliberately left in place.

Wen Ruan Yu looked at Ning Zhuo, who gestured for him to proceed first.

Wen Ruan Yu activated a detection spell and soon had results.

"Shen Bing has two fatal injuries."

"One is on his neck, the other on his chest."

"Although his neck is still attached with no external wounds, the life force has been completely severed, as if decapitated."

"And in his chest, there’s a Dark Iron Heart-Piercing Needle, which is also a cause of death."

Seeing Wen Ruan Yu’s unusual expression, Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred. "Senior Wen, it seems you already have some suspicions?"

Wen Ruan Yu sighed deeply. "Yes."

"The nature of the spell injury is peculiar, immediately reminding me of Chen Sui’s Wheat-Cutting Technique."

"And the Dark Iron Heart-Piercing Needle is Sun Tie Sheng’s well-known magical tool."

Shen Bing, Chen Sui, and Sun Tie Sheng were the three strongest cultivators in the Virility Court. Now that Shen Bing was dead, the clues pointed directly to Chen Sui and Sun Tie Sheng. This investigation result left Wen Ruan Yu at a loss.

Ning Zhuo also fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Wen Ruan Yu broke the silence with a bitter sigh. "You know what? I don’t even dare to have them undergo the ‘Plain Questions Heart-Revealing Scroll’ test."

The Plain Questions Heart-Revealing Scroll could detect lies, and if someone was found guilty, it would sever their life force—a fearsome ability.

Ning Zhuo also sighed. "I strongly suspect this is the traitor’s doing behind the scenes."

"It’s a连环计."

"Chen Sui and Sun Tie Sheng might both be implicated, possibly instigated to act."

"If we investigate and find out, should we punish them? The most straightforward answer is a life for a life."

"If we do that, we’d be playing into the traitor’s hands, letting them use us to eliminate Chen Sui and Sun Tie Sheng."

"If we don’t, how can we maintain order?"

"So, no matter what we choose, it will cause discord within White Paper Immortal City."

Wen Ruan Yu nodded. "Though there’s no evidence, I agree with your judgment, Jiao Ma."

"After a few rounds with this traitor, I’m growing more and more impressed."

"This person’s combat strength and strategies are top-notch."

"Jin Yang Zi is already dead, and now Shen Bing is gone. If we kill Chen Sui and Sun Tie Sheng, the main strength of the Virility Court will be wiped out."

"This would deal a massive blow to the morale of the entire Virility Court."

After saying this, the two fell silent again.

The traitor’s methods were too cunning, leaving Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruan Yu frustrated. They knew there might be clues but dared not investigate further.

After all, both had to consider the bigger picture.

Investigating further would be like harming themselves.

Ning Zhuo clapped his hands in admiration. "Our plan was to pressure the traitor using the overall situation with the Golden Swallow Fork and the River of Forgetfulness Prefect. The traitor must have seen through it and is now using the same method against us."

"Impressive, truly impressive!"

Wen Ruan Yu frowned. "What should we do now?"

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment, then spread his hands. "I choose to bide our time. Investigating rashly would only aid the enemy."

"But we still hold the initiative."

"As long as the Spirit Contract Treasure Refining Array remains in place, the River of Forgetfulness Prefect will keep pressuring the traitor."

"Next, we’ll increase surveillance on Chen Sui and Sun Tie Sheng. I don’t believe the traitor can keep succeeding without slipping up!"

Wen Ruan Yu thought for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "That’s all we can do for now."

---

Chen Sui’s residence.

"What?!" Chen Sui glared angrily, tearing the message slip in his hand to shreds. "Who’s impersonating my Wheat-Cutting Technique? Trying to frame me!"

"With Shen Bing dead, my biggest competitor for the Golden Swallow Fork is gone. The one who might be framing me is Sun Tie Sheng."

"The Sun family... they’re well-established, not something a lone cultivator like me can match. They’ve even prepared the technique and trained people in it."

"I’ll leave the stolen Heart-Piercing Needle in Shen Bing’s body. When will Wen Ruan Yu take action against Sun Tie Sheng?"

---

Sun Tie Sheng’s residence.

After hearing his servant’s report, Sun Tie Sheng slammed the table in anger. "Damn that Chen Sui! I remember clearly losing the Heart-Piercing Needle after sparring with him."

"Even with our family’s thorough preparations, with elders practicing the Wheat-Cutting Technique, he still managed to pull off this deception."

"Tell the family to think of another way!"

"Right now, within the Virility Court, only Chen Sui and I have the best chance. If I can obtain the Golden Swallow Fork, I’ll surely repay the family generously."

The servant hesitated. "With Shen Bing just dead, acting now would be like committing a crime under everyone’s nose, sir."

Sun Tie Sheng laughed arrogantly. "Getting the Golden Swallow Fork to acknowledge a master isn’t something just anyone can do. Jin Yang Zi and Shen Bing are dead, leaving only Chen Sui, that orphan."

"I’m also a strong contender. Right now, the immortal city is facing the ghost tide disaster, with the Netherworld Army camped nearby, watching us closely. Do they dare move against me? Aren’t they afraid the Golden Swallow Fork will have no new master?"

---

Ning Zhuo returned to his residence and resumed his cultivation.

Using four Nascent Soul-level treasures in rotation had already boosted his soul foundation to nearly 800,000 human souls—an incredibly rapid improvement!

"Boss, are you really not going to use this method to cultivate your soul? This opportunity won’t come again," Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but persuade Sun Ling Tong through the Life Thread.

Sun Ling Tong refused without hesitation. "Xiao Zhuo, don’t try to persuade me. I’m stuck at the final stage, nearing the Golden Core realm. Once I break through, I can still put in the effort then!"

"Hey."

"Look who’s here? It’s your little girlfriend."

As the master of the Life Thread, Ning Zhuo was aware of Sun Ling Tong’s situation.

He was currently in the Netherworld Army camp but near the outskirts.

Through Sun Ling Tong, Ning Zhuo saw a group of cultivators charging into the camp under cover of night. He was inwardly shocked by their boldness.

"Charge with me!!!" Qing Yan led the way.

His daughter, Qing Chi, followed closely behind.

Previously, White Paper Immortal City had only sent small teams to eliminate scouts and other dispatched units of the River of Forgetfulness Netherworld Army. They had never directly charged into the camp before.

Thus, the Netherworld Army was caught off guard by the sudden assault.

By the time they rallied their forces to counterattack, Qing Yan and his group had already caused chaos and retreated.

Qing Chi covered their retreat, pushing her palms forward and unleashing a wave of green fire.

Under the green flames, countless Netherworld soldiers screamed and vanished.

Witnessing this, Sun Ling Tong exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Zhuo, your little girlfriend is quite powerful! Just this move alone is at the Golden Core level!"

---

On the way back, Qing Chi transmitted a message to her father: "Dad, don’t forget—you promised to support me in seeing Jiao Ma again if I fought with all my strength."

Qing Yan snorted coldly. "I said it depends on your achievements!"

Qing Chi rubbed her hands together eagerly. "Achievements are easy! I’ll just earn some. No problem!"

---

That night passed uneasily for the River of Forgetfulness Netherworld Army.

For Ning Zhuo, it passed in immersive cultivation.

The Virility Court remained calm until dawn, when chaos suddenly erupted.

"Someone’s dead! Someone’s dead!"

Chen Sui was dead.

(End of )