This is far from enough,
Even Gods love beauty—they cherish melodious songs and exquisite paintings.
"When disciples indulge in pleasure, carousing in revelry, have you ever thought that what you adore might also be loved by the Gods?"
Painters and Music Masters, harboring a unique form of devotion, would, before each monthly gathering of the Bone Elder Association, spend a week painting extraordinary murals on the walls of the Bone Elder Temple.
The types of paintings vary: landscapes, portraits of beauties, flowers, and birds. Sometimes, they would depict the epic deeds of Gods from ancient times.
While the painters worked on their art, the Music Masters would employ their voices to sing countless enchanting tunes.
The styles of music are diverse, ranging from the five-tone modes passed down in Jing Country, rustic mountain folk songs, and even Broadway music recently popular in Mingjiang Prefecture.
Through their singing and painting, the two offered soul-stirring enjoyment to the Gods.
After completing the mural "Hunting Dog Autumn Hunting," the painter stepped back from the wall, examined it carefully, nodded in satisfaction, and inscribed the title "Han Lu Song Que" at the bottom right corner of the mural.
Han Lu and Song Que were ancient dog names from Jing Country. Han Lu symbolized the courage and fearlessness of hunting dogs, while Song Que was synonymous with unparalleled speed.
As the Music Master sang tunes in the five-tone mode, the hunting dogs in the mural seemed to come alive, running and chasing their prey within the painting. At the same time, faint, joyous laughter seemed to echo through the temple.
The Music Master continued singing, while the painter finished his work and, after a devout bow to the mural, stood up and departed the temple.
The seven days of the God-worship ritual finally concluded. The Gods were greatly pleased, and now it was time for him to savor his own life.
"Old Li, just live life to the fullest. Tomorrow, I’ll perform a grand drama for you and make you the brightest Bone Elder."
Zhou Xuan helped lift Li Chengfeng, who was carrying the Puppet Taoist, into the car.
After positioning the corpse, Zhou Xuan even reached out and gave Li Chengfeng a pat on the shoulder, saying, "Put your mind at ease."
"Thank you, High Priest. Speaking of which, the three tasks you taught me to handle—
The library has already been taken over by Gu Ling,
I’ve tracked down Wuzuo Hall Master’s residence through Liu Tiezui, who is very well-informed in Jianghu matters. In just a day or two, I’ll find out exactly where the Wuzuo Hall Master resides.
As for the investigations into Hunger and the snake tumor, there hasn’t been any progress yet."
"Who’s investigating Hunger now?" Zhou Xuan asked.
"Qing Feng from the City God, along with four Wind Flag incense masters, is investigating. The Suffering Scholar is overseeing the arrangements, but there’s been no breakthrough."
"Still no breakthrough? Hunger has committed so many cannibalistic murders..." Zhou Xuan found their efficiency lackluster.
"It’s very difficult to investigate."
"Difficult is one thing, but Hunger is growing more brutal by the day. Mingjiang Prefecture is close to descending into utter panic. If the Bone Elders fail to uncover anything, how will they account for this to the millions of citizens in Mingjiang Prefecture?
If they can’t provide answers, that’s our opportunity—to trade solving Hunger for the Blood Well Human Brain."
Zhou Xuan had already devised a scheme, but he still needed to wait until the dust settled after the gathering, so Li Chengfeng and the Bone Elder Association could negotiate.
"If the High Priest intervenes, Hunger will surely be captured soon." Li Chengfeng’s faith in Zhou Xuan was becoming increasingly blind.
"You’ll understand once you take over."
After sending off Li Chengfeng, Zhou Xuan returned to the shop and called Si Yuer, asking her to help arrange a meeting with Bai Guang at the Metropolitan.
"Brother Zhou, have you fallen for her beauty? Are you planning to start a romance with Bai Guang?"
"What are you thinking? I’m just offering her a job. Isn’t she struggling at Bailemen? I’m inviting her to the Metropolitan to become a singer."
"That sounds great. I’ll call her now."
Zhou Xuan changed into clean robes, preparing to head out. Before leaving, he had one critical task to do—test the capabilities of his new incense power.
With a Puppet Tattoo on one arm and a "Wordless Heavenly Scripture" tattoo on the other, Zhou Xuan’s incense flame had already burned to four and a half inches, and it was still burning.
By the standard progress of a Tattoo Hall tangkou, Zhou Xuan’s incense flame had already reached five measures.
This meant he could learn a new tattoo map.
However, Zhou Xuan decided to wait, as the flame was burning rapidly. He wanted to see if it could directly extend past five inches.
If it could, he would only need to use one return-to-hall opportunity to learn both five-measure and six-measure tattoo maps.
Saving one return-to-hall chance.
"Only two return-to-hall opportunities left, need to use them sparingly."
While deciding against learning a new tattoo map for now, Zhou Xuan had another new consideration about the Bone Teeth tattoo.
Zhou Xuan asked Lv Mingkun, "Fifth Brother, what’s the technique for the fifth incense measure in the tangkou that uses tools as weapons?"
"Did your incense flame burn another inch?"
"The fifth measure’s technique is called ’Divine Weapon Leaves Hand.’"
The fourth measure’s technique is ’Divine Weapon Return Hand,’ and the fifth is ’Divine Weapon Leaves Hand,’ the names sound quite similar, don’t they?
"At the fourth measure, with just a gesture, the divine weapon would return to your hand. At the fifth measure, whenever you wish to strike someone with your weapon, simply perceive the target, and the divine weapon will fly towards them. It doesn’t require practiced accuracy—just strong perception."
Lv Mingkun added, "The tangkou of tools-as-weapons changes drastically at this stage. Before the fifth measure, it’s more akin to the martial prowess of folk warriors who rely heavily on rigorous physical training. I practiced throwing knives for seven to eight years,
But after the fifth measure, perception becomes paramount. You fully enter the domain of Gods and Ghosts. You should test targeting an object with your perception."
Scanning his surroundings, Zhou Xuan spotted an orange on the table half a meter away.
He locked his perception onto the orange.