Chapter 109: Rice Noodle Rolls

"Why do you think that?" I asked.

Qin Yu pondered for a moment before explaining her theory. She said that refining Five-Element Corpses is an incredibly labor-intensive and costly endeavor, and the combat strength of such corpses is actually quite low; they only truly become formidable once they surpass the level of Silver-Armored Corpses.

Therefore, if any evil individual intended to refine Five-Element Corpses for their own use, they should focus on refining only one or two to upgrade them, rather than mass-producing them like this. I was certain that the organization behind this group was not only operating in this area; it was highly probable that Five-Element Corpses were being refined all across the country. If so, the sheer number of corpses this organization was producing was likely staggering.

My brow furrowed. "If your theory is correct, Sister Yu, doesn't that mean the organization behind the Sacred Army is refining tens of thousands of these Five-Element Corpses?"

Thinking of that number, I couldn't help but gasp. "If there are really that many, what are they planning to do with them?"

"Start a war!"

Qin Yu's words startled me. I instinctively replied that it seemed unlikely, as modern warfare is dominated by missiles. Even if they refined countless Five-Element Corpses, wouldn't a single shell wipe them all out?

Qin Yu shook her head, explaining that it wouldn't be a modern war, but likely a conflict involving the Yin-Yang realm. Moreover, if her suspicion was correct, the organization behind the Sacred Army must have terrifying connections within the Underworld. With the Underworld as their protective umbrella, they acted without fear.

"A war in the Yin-Yang realm!"

Although I had only recently entered the Yin-Yang realm, the mere mention of such a thing made me uneasy. Seeing my reaction, Qin Yu smiled and said it was only her theory and not to take it too much to heart.

I chuckled and said, "Sister Yu, your trip to the Underworld using the Three-Flower Technique wasn't just to vent your anger on the Yin Prefect, was it? You wanted to confirm these theories of yours."

Qin Yu nodded, admitting that these conclusions only crystallized after she had visited the Yin Prefect's residence.

"What did you discover there?" I asked urgently.

"A Five-Element Corpse," Qin Yu replied. "A beautiful Five-Element Corpse, forcibly possessed by someone else's soul, was being used for the Yin Prefect's pleasure. Once he was done, that soul would undoubtedly be scattered to the winds."

Her answer shocked me. "So, in that case, the Yin Prefect is truly in cahoots with the Sacred Army group?"

Before Qin Yu could answer, Bai Rushuang slammed on the brakes, turned to look at her angrily, and demanded, "Sister Yu, since you already knew the Yin Prefect was colluding with them, why didn't you just kill him then and there?"

Qin Yu shook her head, explaining that while she had discovered the Five-Element Corpse, she had pretended not to see it. Furthermore, she dared not kill the Yin Prefect because we had no idea who was backing him.

I now understood her motive. She was clever; she used her supposed rage as a pretext to teach the Yin Prefect a lesson, which allowed her to confirm the link between the group and the Underworld. Once confirmed, she knew her current abilities were no match for the powers behind the Underworld, so she kept the discovery to herself.

By using the identity of the Three-Flower Bodhisattva to punish the Yin Prefect with fifty lashes, she had struck the perfect balance. It led the Yin Prefect to believe her actions were purely born of petty vengeance, preventing him from suspecting that she had uncovered their collusion with the Sacred Army. Consequently, the powers above him would remain unaware of our discovery.

At this point, I stopped asking questions. If there really was an organization behind the Sacred Army plotting a war in the Yin-Yang realm, a small fry like me who had just entered the field wouldn't necessarily be dragged into it. Simply put, it had little to do with me.

All I cared about now was whether my brother Liu Dong could be released. As for whether the Sacred Army would seek revenge, I would cross that bridge when I came to it. As for my Nine-Yin Life Pattern being exposed, I knew it would bring trouble—after all, to the demons and ghosts of the Yin-Yang realm, I was like Tang Monk meat—but I couldn't avoid what was destined to come. I would just have to be careful and hope for the best.

Back at the Three-Flower Mystical Pavilion, Qin Yu immediately reported what had happened and her theories to the Maoshan Sect, hoping they could use their connections to investigate. The people at Maoshan were equally shocked by her theory and vowed to look into it immediately.

After hanging up, Qin Yu didn't seem relieved; perhaps the loss of her two junior brothers still weighed heavily on her heart. Bai Rushuang and I didn't disturb her; we sat for a while before leaving the pavilion. I had intended to go back to school, but Bai Rushuang insisted on dragging me out for hotpot, claiming I had promised her a treat once this business was settled.

Talking about food made me realize I was starving, but it was already past four in the morning—what hotpot restaurant would be open?

We drove aimlessly through the streets until, as we wandered through a snack alley, we suddenly caught a scent so intoxicating it made us dizzy.

I was stunned; I had no idea what kind of food could produce such an aroma, clear enough to be smelled even inside the car. Bai Rushuang, a true foodie, smelled it too and immediately steered the car toward the source.

We soon found it: a small street stall selling rice noodle rolls.

It was barely past four in the morning, and this street shouldn't have had any vendors out yet. Surprisingly, there was an old woman in her seventies selling rice noodle rolls. She pushed a dilapidated tricycle equipped with a small gas canister, a pot of soup base, and two folding tables. She seemed to have just arrived and was unloading her things. The mouth-watering aroma we had smelled came from the simmering soup base.

Seeing the old woman struggling, Bai Rushuang and I hurried over to help.

The old woman didn't refuse and thanked us as we helped her set up. Once everything was moved, Bai Rushuang began to drool at the sight of the soup base. The old woman chuckled and served us two bowls, saying, "You youngsters are so kind-hearted. Thank you for helping me. Eat up while it's hot!"

Before she even finished, Bai Rushuang was already devouring her portion. I was used to her antics, but the sight startled the old woman. I smiled sheepishly and apologized, "Don't mind her, Grandma. My friend is like a starving ghost reincarnated."

"Wu Dao, what are you saying?" Bai Rushuang glared at me, a mouthful of noodles still in her cheeks. I glared back. "What? Can't handle the truth?"

"Pfft!" Bai Rushuang flipped me off and snatched my bowl away. I was speechless. The old woman laughed, "You young couples are so funny. It's alright, I'll make you another bowl."

"Grandma, don't say that! I don't fancy a wooden block like him!" Bai Rushuang retorted before digging back in.

Feeling helpless, I changed the subject. "Grandma, it's only four in the morning. Why are you out here selling already?"

She smiled. "It's not early. This street will be bustling soon, and if I come any later, I won't find a good spot."

I nodded, feeling a pang of sorrow. With her white hair and deep wrinkles, it couldn't have been easy for her to be out this early. The rice noodle rolls were delicious and incredibly fragrant—perhaps an ancestral secret recipe. After finishing two bowls, I was too full for more, so I pulled out a hundred-yuan bill to pay her.

She refused, saying, "Young man, you helped me move my things today. These bowls are on the house."

"That won't do," I said, glancing at Bai Rushuang, who was already on her third bowl. "You must take the money, or you'll lose your profit today."