Chapter Sixty-One: Returning to the Great Wilderness Village

Iron Abacus Immortal had always kept a low profile, muddling through unnoticed because with someone as formidable as Fang Mu present, he constantly strove to diminish his own presence. After all, in this day and age, having glimpsed the wonders of this world, Iron Abacus Immortal understood that those who failed to keep a low profile were already dead; those still alive either had powerful backing or were blessed with extraordinary luck.

He himself had risen from humble origins, with no one to rely on, so the first lesson he’d learned was humility—better to be a steadfast tool in the presence of the truly powerful. Now that Fang Mu needed him, it was time for a tool to fulfill its purpose.

Fang Mu handed him the tree root and asked, “Can you divine Yu Youde’s location?”

With no clues at hand, if Yu Youde was deliberately hiding, it would be nearly impossible to find him in so vast a world.

Iron Abacus Immortal took the root, placed it on the ground, then produced a tortoise shell, circling and shaking it around the root. The divination was performed six times in total, and when he finished, Iron Abacus Immortal came to a halt.

“Well? Any results?” Fang Mu took back the tree root and inquired.

Iron Abacus Immortal pointed in a direction, hesitating. “It’s odd. The divination is crystal clear—he’s in that direction.”

“You mean to say… why was he so easy to find?” Fang Mu glanced at the dark forest and said, “It’s suspiciously simple to locate him.”

“Precisely.” Iron Abacus Immortal was blunt. “From the start, this man has been exceedingly cunning, every move tightly linked. Yet now, at the pivotal moment, he’s discovered with effortless ease. Doesn’t that seem wrong?”

Qing Ruowu added, “It feels as if he’s laying a trap for us, perhaps another layer in his chain of schemes.”

Fang Mu fell silent, sorting through everything in his mind.

Meeting Iron Abacus Immortal in Jinglong County—perhaps even then, he and Iron Abacus Immortal had already entered the web set by the mastermind. Zheng Wen, who was sent to die, had been part of the plot too, delivering the false clue of the tree bark, luring them to Meng County to destroy the only restraint.

By this logic, now they had likely already broken the restraint, Yu Youde was free of all bonds, simply waiting for them in Wilds Village.

At this moment, Yu Youde’s plan might be straightforward: he believed victory was assured, and once he rid himself of Fang Mu and his companions, everything would vanish like smoke.

However… Fang Mu now had the tree root.

Turning back, Fang Mu said, “Qing Ruowu, go find your colleagues in the Heavenly Surveillance Bureau, explain the situation, and send for reinforcements.”

Qing Ruowu agreed, but then paused. “Wait… aren’t you two coming with me?”

Fang Mu shook his head, gazing in the direction Iron Abacus Immortal had indicated. “Iron Abacus Immortal and I are going to Wilds Village.”

Qing Ruowu hesitated, then said resolutely, “Then I’ll go with you.”

“No.” Fang Mu’s tone was stern. “You’re our reserve. We’ll go to Wilds Village first and buy you time—you bring back reinforcements.”

Qing Ruowu’s eyes were dazed, her expression conflicted. She wanted to argue, but Fang Mu’s reasoning was irrefutable.

“I’ll go, you contact the Bureau,” Qing Ruowu said through gritted teeth.

Fang Mu gestured at the butcher’s knife at his waist. “Are you stronger than I am? Can you hold him off?”

Qing Ruowu shook her head and fell silent.

“You’re important.” Fang Mu placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice solemn. “Remember—be swift.”

Qing Ruowu no longer insisted, nodding in silent agreement. Time was pressing, and she quickly left the hill.

Once she was gone, Fang Mu let out a long breath.

Iron Abacus Immortal hesitated, then fell silent.

“If you have something to say, just say it,” Fang Mu prompted.

“It’s nothing,” Iron Abacus Immortal replied, his expression unchanged.

Fang Mu spoke slowly, “You’re slippery by nature—perhaps that works with others, but I prefer straightforwardness. We’re about to head in; if you keep this up, I’ll have to reconsider.”

Iron Abacus Immortal sighed. “Brother Fang, you seem quite unwilling to involve yourself with that high official of the Bureau. Even with your fine acting, I still noticed—you deliberately sent her away.”

Fang Mu looked at him with an unreadable gaze.

Under that look, Iron Abacus Immortal felt his hair stand on end.

“Finding help is only part of it…” Fang Mu patted his shoulder. “Qing Ruowu is good in every way, except she’s too rigid. Yu Youde is surely prepared for us—I don’t want to risk something going wrong on her account.”

The reason was simple: Qing Ruowu was too inflexible. For example, if the enemy threatened with hostages, she might react unpredictably, whereas Fang Mu and Iron Abacus Immortal would not.

Of course, that was just an example—Yu Youde might not use such methods.

Iron Abacus Immortal breathed easier. “Shall we go, then?”

Not only was Fang Mu determined to go, so was Iron Abacus Immortal. It wasn’t just about the Ghost Market; he had his own scores to settle. From Jinglong County onward, he too had fallen into Yu Youde’s snare. He didn’t believe Yu Youde would let him off so easily.

So going together was for the best.

“Let’s go meet him,” Fang Mu said, glancing at the sky, which was already lightening, and set off for Wilds Village.

The journey passed in silence, without incident.

…

When day had fully broken, they arrived at Wilds Village.

The village was unchanged, abandoned and dilapidated to the point of heartbreak.

Fang Mu entered the village and stopped at the central clearing, narrowing his eyes.

Iron Abacus Immortal gripped his ritual banner tightly, clutching the bronze compass in his hand. Faint images of the Eight Trigrams shimmered in and out of sight, hovering between illusion and reality.

Perched on Fang Mu’s shoulder, Ah Bai arched its back, white fur bristling in vigilance.

In the center of the clearing stood a table with three stools.

On one of the stools sat a man—none other than Yu Youde, the magistrate of Jinglong County.

A teapot and three teacups were set on the table.

Seeing Fang Mu approach, Yu Youde first filled all three cups, then beckoned them over.

His demeanor was that of a host welcoming an esteemed guest, not confronting an adversary.

Fang Mu approached, glanced at the stool before him, and smiled. “Brewing tea and waiting—you’re well prepared, Magistrate Yu. Confident you can deal with us easily this time?”

So relaxed, so at ease—Yu Youde must be sure of himself.

“You are not my enemies,” Yu Youde replied, picking up a teacup and gesturing for them to sit. His every move was cultured and refined, exuding a scholarly air.

Yet those who truly knew him understood: many lives had ended at Yu Youde’s hands, including his own kin. He was no less ruthless than those who would eat their own children.

Fang Mu sat, regarding the teacup before him but not drinking.

Iron Abacus Immortal remained standing beside him, the shadowy Eight Trigrams flickering in and out of sight.