: The Savior

Ning Zhuo gazed silently at Yang Weida's corpse, lost in a moment of quiet reflection.

Yang Weida's face was peaceful, giving the impression he was merely asleep.

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but recall his interactions with Yang Weida.

Their first meeting had been on a ship.

Outwardly simple and rough, Yang Weida was actually shrewd and bold. He had asked Qing Yan for a reward, specifically the stomach pouch of a Piercing Bone Crocodile, only to be flatly refused.

To Ning Zhuo, however, this seemed like nothing more than a bargaining tactic—starting with a high demand.

In the end, Qing Yan still gave him six Soul-Ferrying Lamp Wicks at the artifact level.

Later, Yang Weida was taken away by Wen Ruan Yu.

After that, at the Hidden Sun Villa, Yang Weida sold his potency-enhancing ointment to the male cultivators around him, and it was quite popular.

Then, at the Potency Enhancement House, he cultivated diligently, striving with great effort.

Finally, after the Golden Swallow Fork gained a new master, he decisively pledged allegiance to Ning Zhuo, offering a substantial sum of resources.

He claimed it was his entire fortune, but without proof, Ning Zhuo remained somewhat skeptical. Even so, the resources Yang Weida voluntarily offered were undoubtedly a huge sum for most Foundation Establishment cultivators.

To be honest, Ning Zhuo rather admired Yang Weida.

This cultivator lacked talent but was always hardworking, unafraid of sacrifice, and possessed a spirit of adventure. Despite repeated setbacks, his fighting spirit never wavered, and he could adapt flexibly to changing circumstances.

Ning Zhuo had promised him a future in White Paper Immortal City, not just because of his pledge of allegiance, but because he saw potential in the man himself.

But now...

He was dead.

All his efforts, the hardships of the past, had vanished like smoke in the wind, with no one left to care.

Because this time, far too many male consorts had died—almost everyone in the Potency Enhancement House—and Yang Weida was just one among them.

Ning Zhuo's feelings were complex.

White Paper Immortal City was like a massive whirlpool, and those who had lost their lives in it, from past to present, were countless.

The brutal conflicts made cultivators' lives as cheap as grass.

Yang Weida had once confided his hardships to Ning Zhuo, saying that what he desperately sought but could never obtain, Ning Zhuo possessed without a second thought.

Ning Zhuo and he didn't share the same joys and sorrows, yet in a way, they were kindred spirits in their suffering.

Yang Weida's death deeply moved Ning Zhuo.

"What difference is there between me and Yang Weida?"

"To the Lord of White Paper Immortal City, to the River of Forgetfulness Prefect, I'm just an ant."

"In such turbulent chaos, one misstep, and I too could perish, my Dao extinguished."

Meanwhile, Wen Ruan Yu, who had rushed to the Potency Enhancement House, was flushed with anger.

"That damned traitor! Who is he?!"

Wen Ruan Yu wished he could fight the traitor to the death right then and there.

Before, he had thought that by monitoring everything closely, the traitor would have no more opportunities.

But now it seemed the traitor had simply been biding his time, perhaps preparing his methods, waiting to strike.

Wen Ruan Yu clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands.

He dreaded to imagine how far the news of the near-total annihilation of the Potency Enhancement House would spread, and how devastating the blow to the morale of the entire White Paper Immortal City would be.

Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.

Ning Zhuo spoke up from the side, "If the traitor remains undetected, it will inevitably cause panic."

"Even I feel this traitor is incredibly formidable!"

Wen Ruan Yu nodded, his voice hoarse, "We must investigate with all our might, find out the traitor's identity, and give an account to the city. Otherwise, White Paper Immortal City might face a mass desertion!"

This move by the traitor had placed White Paper Immortal City in a very dangerous position.

And Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruan Yu, who were in charge of the matter, bore immense responsibility.

Soon, the relevant cultivators came to report.

"You're saying these male consorts died from poisoning?" Wen Ruan Yu frowned.

Ning Zhuo, however, wasn't surprised.

The consorts showed no external wounds, only contorted, pained expressions. Poisoning was the most likely cause.

"What kind of poison? Any clues?" Wen Ruan Yu pressed.

"A potent poison, originating from... some spiritual food," the cultivator replied immediately.

"Where did the spiritual food come from?" Wen Ruan Yu continued.

The cultivator named a person, causing Ning Zhuo's eyes to widen in shock.

Wen Ruan Yu also found it unbelievable, "From him? Are you sure?! That's impossible! It can't be him."

Wen Ruan Yu was the first to defend the suspect.

Because this person was a long-time resident of White Paper Immortal City, a senior spiritual chef from the Dark Cuisine sect, and the old man who had voluntarily given Ning Zhuo his spiritual chef inheritance.

Soon, the old spiritual chef was brought before Wen Ruan Yu and Ning Zhuo.

"Preposterous!" The old chef, tied up, denied it vehemently, his emotions running high.

"Chef Lao, please calm down. With me here, you won't be wronged," Wen Ruan Yu assured him first.

The old chef was furious, "You shouldn't suspect me, of all people!"

"Yes, yes," Wen Ruan Yu nodded repeatedly, bending slightly, sweat beading on his forehead.

Despite the old chef's firm denial, for now, he was the only suspect.

Wen Ruan Yu did his best to persuade the old chef not to worry, to be temporarily detained pending investigation, and suggested he think of evidence to clear his name.

Ning Zhuo also offered a few words of advice.

Left alone, Wen Ruan Yu held his forehead and said, "Things are getting more complicated. I'm almost certain this is a frame-up by the traitor targeting Chef Lao."

"Though a childish move, it's utterly despicable!"

"This traitor is trying to mess with our heads. We mustn't get too agitated."

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, crossing his arms, "I initially thought the same. It's clearly a frame-up, but..."

"But what?" Wen Ruan Yu pressed, "You've been thinking since earlier."

"I know you received Chef Lao's favor, accepting his spiritual chef inheritance. But during the exchange just now, you barely said a word."

"To an outsider, it might seem like I was the one who received Chef Lao's inheritance."

Wen Ruan Yu, being a Confucian cultivator, criticized others rather subtly.

Ning Zhuo continued shaking his head, looking impassively at Wen Ruan Yu, "You misunderstand me. I just find something odd."

Wen Ruan Yu became interested, "Oh? What's odd?"

He held Ning Zhuo in high regard; if Ning Zhuo found something odd, there was likely a problem.

But then Ning Zhuo shrugged and gave a bitter smile, "It's just a vague feeling. Something seems off, but I can't pinpoint what it is right now!"

"I see..." Wen Ruan Yu sighed in disappointment, "If you figure it out, be sure to tell me first."

"Mm," Ning Zhuo nodded, "Before that, I should go to the prison and personally instruct the warden to take good care of Chef Lao."

Wen Ruan Yu shook his head, "With the traitor so rampant and cruel, it's best not to reveal your deputy city lord identity. I'll handle it. If you're worried, you can come with me."

"Forget it then," Ning Zhuo frowned and refused, "Just ensure Chef Lao is well taken care of. The key issue now is to investigate the traitor."

"I want to search the scene myself."

"Alright," Wen Ruan Yu nodded, "I'll join you."

Together, they inspected the entire Potency Enhancement House but found nothing.

"I just feel it's even odder..." Ning Zhuo watched as the bodies were collected one by one, still unable to grasp the key point.

Wen Ruan Yu sighed, "Think it over. I'll go mobilize some people and figure out how to handle this mess."

Since the death of the Mourning Music Hidden Ling, his pressure had increased significantly.

Now, with such a major incident, his stress had skyrocketed.

The next day.

Ning Zhuo received a flying message from Wen Ruan Yu.

The contents shocked him, leaving him astonished and then utterly bewildered.

He hurried to the prison, where he found Wen Ruan Yu and the old spiritual chef.

The old chef was covered in wounds, tightly bound, and barely breathing.

Wen Ruan Yu stood before him, glanced at Ning Zhuo, then turned to the old man, "You confessed? This is no joke!"

The old chef sneered, "I did it! I killed those male consorts. I am one of the traitors."

"The White Paper City Lord wants to use the Golden Swallow Fork to restore the old ways and regain control? Impossible!"

"Hahaha."

"The Sun family is too ambitious, and you cultivators secretly supporting Sun Tie Sheng are too naive. I've come and gone several times as if no one was there."

"You held a victory banquet and even asked me to prepare the spiritual food. What difference is that from asking for death?"

"Hahaha, it was a heaven-sent opportunity, and White Paper Immortal City is doomed by fate!"

The old spiritual chef was now confessing to the crime without hesitation.

His attitude had completely reversed from before.

No matter what Wen Ruan Yu or Ning Zhuo said, he stuck to his confession without wavering.

Left with no choice, they arranged for the old chef to be properly detained and stepped out to discuss.

"Do you think he's the traitor?" Ning Zhuo asked first, then answered himself, "I don't think so."

Ning Zhuo still vividly remembered the old chef preparing spiritual food for him on the spot and voluntarily giving him the culinary inheritance.

It made no sense for a traitor to do such a thing.

"But if he isn't, why confess?" Wen Ruan Yu frowned deeply, "And his attitude is so resolute; he must know the consequence is execution!"

Ning Zhuo stared at Wen Ruan Yu, "Actually... the old man confessing benefits both of us, doesn't it?"

After all, they had been tasked with the investigation and had made no progress.

This time, the traitor's move had nearly wiped out the Potency Enhancement House, placing immense responsibility on them.

And Ning Zhuo, as one of the few ordinary male consorts left, was under heavy suspicion himself.

By going along with it, both Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruan Yu would at least see their immediate pressure reduced.

Wen Ruan Yu met Ning Zhuo's gaze without hesitation, "Why test each other? I know your character, and you should know my aspirations. As a Confucian cultivator, I won't fabricate a false case for personal gain!"

Wen Ruan Yu spoke with unwavering determination.

Ning Zhuo nodded, "Did you order him to be tortured?"

Wen Ruan Yu shook his head again, "Absolutely not. Last night, I left with you and never returned. I gave strict orders that no one but us two was to approach the cell, on pain of death!"

Ning Zhuo nodded again, "Good. If it wasn't you, then who else could give such an order? Who else could quietly enter the prison?"

Wen Ruan Yu's face darkened as he stared down at the floor tiles, sinking into a deathly silence.

After a long while, he spoke hoarsely and with difficulty, "I know what you're implying."

"The current City Lord did save the old man's life once..."

Speaking these simple words felt incredibly arduous to Wen Ruan Yu, each one weighing heavily.

Ning Zhuo stopped looking at Wen Ruan Yu and turned his gaze toward the City Lord's mansion.

He asked meaningfully, "How long has it been since you last saw the City Lord?"

Pausing, he added, "I mean, her true self."

Wen Ruan Yu shuddered, also looking toward the mansion, "A long time. Truly... a long time."

Wen Ruan Yu was the right-hand man of the White Paper Immortal City Lord, especially after the sacrifice of the Mourning Music Hidden Ling; in the vast city, the real core members were now only Wen Ruan Yu and Iron Bone Zheng.

And Ning Zhuo held the position of Deputy City Lord.

The only one who could override them, sneak into the prison, and change the old chef's attitude was likely the City Lord herself.

Why would she do this?

Ning Zhuo could answer that himself—"For White Paper Immortal City."

The incident at the Potency Enhancement House had caused too great a stir, panicking the entire city and dealing a massive blow to morale.

People couldn't help but think: if even the heavily guarded Potency Enhancement House could be wiped out, what about the rest of them?

The City Lord's mansion's repeated failures raised doubts: under its leadership, could they really withstand this ghost tide?

And this ghost tide wasn't just any tide; it included an army from the underworld!

In such a situation, sacrificing one cultivator to show they had quickly identified one of the traitors was undoubtedly the fastest way to resolve the crisis.

Speed was essential!

Otherwise, letting public sentiment spread and deeply affect the entire city could lead to a full-scale desertion, which would be catastrophic.

Ning Zhuo's heart was a tumult of mixed emotions.

"I understand the City Lord. Everything is for the greater good, requiring patience. And often, such sacrifices are necessary and worthwhile."

Patience... just as Ning Zhuo had endured for over a decade in Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Ning Zhuo frowned, feeling deeply uncomfortable.

If he were still the person from Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he would swallow his complex emotions, lower his head, grit his teeth, and endure silently.

But having traveled and gradually changed, a voice now rose from within him, growing louder: "If I were the White Paper City Lord, I wouldn't do this! Even if someone were willing to die for me!"

Ning Zhuo had such people by his side.

He had no doubt that Sun Ling Tong would sacrifice herself for him.

Just as he had no doubt he would willingly do the same for her.

This had been proven during their time in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, against Qi Bai.

"The White Paper City Lord gave me the Soul Cultivator's Four Treasures, the deputy city lord position, and later strong support for the Green Scorch Army. But what does she truly think of me, her so-called savior?"

He instinctively glanced toward the southern part of the city, where the giant paper effigy left by his mother stood.

Meng Yao Yin had been the savior once, willing to sacrifice her lifespan to save the city, now reduced to a giant paper effigy.

"The White Paper City Lord arranged this for the old chef, just as she once arranged for my mother."

"And me?"

"How will she arrange for me?"

"Savior..."

Just then, ghostly wails echoed from outside the city.

War drums followed, and banners fluttered.

The ghost tide had returned, larger than ever before.

The city defense battle began anew.

Iron Bone Zheng watched grimly as the massive Yin army appeared on the horizon.

Based on gathered intelligence, he immediately judged: this ever-growing Yin army was launching a full-scale attack!

With the near-destruction of the Potency Enhancement House by the traitor and the city in panic, it was indeed the perfect time to strike.

White Paper Immortal City was in peril!

(End of )