Chapter 100: The Trap

As I brought the conversation to this point, it felt as if everything had returned to the beginning—specifically, back to when Wang Feiyang and I first suspected that Wang Lun was a paper puppet. We had wondered whether this group was colluding with the Underworld.

The emergence of paper puppets had already broken the rules of the Underworld. Logically, the Underworld should have dispatched Yin guards to capture this group long ago. Yet, even now, with a large number of paper puppets appearing, there has been no action from the Underworld. Should we suspect that the current generation of Underworld administrators has been bribed?

Or perhaps this group possesses extraordinary abilities, such that even the creation of paper puppets can easily evade the Underworld’s detection.

Moreover, the creation of the Five Elements Corpses is undeniably a dark and forbidden practice. If righteous practitioners from the Yin-Yang realm discovered it, they would surely try everything to eradicate it. Yet, until now, this group remains at large. What does this imply?

It implies that this group has a unique method of concealment. Even if they are not colluding with the Underworld, they must have an incredibly powerful intelligence network, enabling them to evade the watchful eyes of the police, the Underworld, and the righteous Yin-Yang sect simultaneously.

Given this, Qin Yu, as a descendant of Maoshan and possessing the Three-Flower Fate, has likely long been known to this group. Since they can identify so many Five-Elements-Unity fated individuals within the city, it is impossible they haven’t uncovered Qin Yu's Three-Flower Fate. The reason they have not targeted Qin Yu must be out of respect for her Maoshan heritage.

As I analyzed this, Qin Yu and the others nodded in agreement. They said this group acts with extreme caution. The last time they accidentally killed Wang Lun, they went to the lengths of turning him into a paper puppet to avoid police detection. If it weren’t for the coincidence of you encountering Wang Lun in the KTV, this matter would have been covered up.

At this moment, Bai Rushuang, from somewhere nearby, came over carrying a bucket of popcorn and said, "Since Sister Yu’s Three-Flower Fate won’t work, what should we do? How about we fabricate a fate? I could claim to have the Ziwei Fate and lure them out?"

“That’s impossible,” I replied. “They surely have their own ways to discern genuine fates from false ones. If they discover someone deliberately using a fake fate to bait them, it would only alert them prematurely. If we’re to do this, it must be a flawless strike—one that leads us directly to their headquarters.”

I took a deep breath. After careful consideration, I finally made a difficult decision. “Then, let’s use my fate. Spread the word that there’s a Nine Yin Fate at Bashu Polytechnic!”

As soon as I said this, both Qin Yu and Bai Rushuang looked at me in shock, clearly disbelieving that I could be the legendary Nine Yin Fate. Wang Feiyang also looked at me with a strange expression tinged with reproach; it seemed he didn’t agree with me revealing my Nine Yin Fate at this time.

But I didn’t care. Everyone present was someone I trusted, and sooner or later, those in the Yin-Yang realm would find out about my fate. Although revealing it now might cause some trouble, it wouldn’t be a disaster.

Besides, my true fate was more than just the Nine Yin Fate; it was an upgraded version—the Nine Yin Supreme Vein!

Qin Yu didn’t press much on whether I truly possessed the Nine Yin Fate. After all, she knew I wouldn’t joke around at such a critical moment. She then asked seriously, “Are you sure about this?”

I nodded firmly. “Of course I am. But don’t think too highly of me. My real goal is simply to clear my brother’s name.”

Qin Yu smiled at me and said, “Alright. I will spread the news that you have the Nine Yin Fate. That group will soon hear it. You must be new to the Yin-Yang realm, so they might not realize you are one of us. If they think you’re an ordinary person, they’ll definitely target you.”

I nodded. “Fine. If they make a move on me, I’ll notify you immediately. Then we’ll trap them like turtles in a jar.”

“Good!”

After devising a detailed plan, we left Qin Yu’s Three Flowers Mysterious Hall. Outside, Peng Li took the lead in returning to the police station to make arrangements. Once we located the organization’s headquarters, he would mobilize the police to make arrests.

Simultaneously, Qin Yu contacted Maoshan to send reinforcements. After all, we might be facing an unfathomably evil force. Wang Feiyang promptly went back to inform Yan Fei of everything. Since the enemy had a master at crafting paper puppets, only Yan Fei would be capable of dealing with that.

With preparations complete, Qin Yu used her special channels to spread the news that I possessed the Nine Yin Fate. Yet for several days, there was no sign of movement around me. I didn’t know if the group hadn’t received the message or if they had discovered something.

But I understood that such matters couldn’t be rushed. The only way was to wait patiently.

A week later, Da Di was released after being detained for fifteen days. Early that morning, Jiang Chao and I went to the detention center to pick him up.

That night, back at school, Jiang Chao and I booked a table at a hotpot restaurant to welcome Da Di home.

During the meal, Da Di was gloomy. I knew he was blaming himself for Liu Dong’s situation. I handed him a cigarette and told him not to worry; Liu Dong would be fine.

At my words, the clouded look in Da Di’s eyes brightened, and he said to me, “Dao’er, I know you have skills. Have you thought of a way to rescue Liu Dong?”

Jiang Chao was stunned and then looked at me in surprise. “Wu Dao, you’re not thinking of breaking him out, are you?”

Da Di, possibly drunk, said, “Even if Dao’er really wants to break him out, I’m ready to die for it. It’s just one life; I don’t care.”

I sighed inwardly, unsure what these two were imagining. I didn’t explain further and told them to focus on their studies. I had already contacted the police, who would work to overturn Liu Dong’s case.

After saying this, I didn’t stay to finish the meal but planned to take a taxi to Qin Yu’s Three Flowers Mysterious Hall. A week had passed with no response from the other side; perhaps it was time to rethink our approach.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, my head felt dizzy as I stepped outside. I rubbed my temples hard, then bought a bottle of mineral water and took a few sips, finally feeling a little better.

Just then, an empty taxi stopped right in front of me. I smiled faintly, didn’t hesitate, and opened the door.

“Where to, brother?” the taxi driver asked as he started the meter.

I squinted and said, “Huangjuewan.”

The driver chuckled. “Brother, you just drank and are heading to Huangjuewan? College kids these days really know how to live.”

I tilted my head and looked at the driver—a broad-faced man with a crew cut and a scorpion tattoo on his hand.

“Sir, judging by you, you used to run the streets, didn’t you?”

The driver laughed. “Yeah, messed around when I was younger. Now I’m old; can’t keep up.”

I chuckled. “Brother, you’re still young. How could you be too old to play? You’re at your prime!”

He seemed to appreciate my compliment. Pulling out a cigarette, he handed it to me. “Brother, I like you. Tonight I’ll take you to a top-notch spot, and I won’t charge you for the ride.”

I lit the cigarette skillfully, took a drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. Then, nonchalantly, I flicked the cigarette out the window. Even if I smoked more, it was just a fake cigarette.

I smiled. “Alright. I’m tired of the usual places. Brother, don’t lie to me.”

The driver lit his own cigarette, took a deep drag, and said, “I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.” Then he slammed the accelerator and sped toward Huangjuewan.

I leaned back in the passenger seat, squinting as the scenery blurred past on both sides. Despite the driver’s confidence, I felt uneasy. Qin Yu’s Three Flowers Mysterious Hall wasn’t even in Huangjuewan.

But when I glimpsed the dark night sky through the rearview mirror and spotted a drone hovering silently above, my restless heart finally settled.