Seeing the scattered talismans, Ge Shuanwa finally grasped Young Master Liu’s intention and let out a sudden, dry chuckle. He didn't rush, carefully re-wrapping the book in yellow silk and tucking it against his waist, then cinching his loosened clothing and tightening his belt once more. Young Master Liu, his mind in turmoil, asked, "Did you tear off the charms on those infant corpse boxes? And did you push over Huang Shitai’s lamp?"

When Huang Shitai heard this, it was like a sudden clap of thunder. He instantly let go of Young Master Liu, staring blankly at Ge Shuanwa. "Brother Wa, you... you..." A thousand questions surged through his mind, yet he had no idea where to begin.

Fan Debiao and Hu Beikang had sobered up, still unsure of the situation. Hearing Young Master Liu question Ge Shuanwa, they couldn't help but think that Young Master Liu had perhaps gone mad! They both stood up and slowly walked toward them. As they approached, they spotted the talismans scattered near Ge Shuanwa, and only then did they understand the reason.

At this tense moment, Su Yougui, who had been sitting on the ground succumbing to poison, suddenly blurted out, "Where did the snake go? Didn't we agree... agree... agree to roast it and eat it?"

At these words, all five couldn't help but let out a laugh, though Young Master Liu immediately stiffened his face and said gravely, "Ge Shuanwa, I'm asking you now—what exactly is your meaning?"

After his initial smile, Ge Shuanwa’s laughter grew louder and louder, echoing through the valley until it boomed. Young Master Liu nervously took a step back. The sheer strength behind those few laughs was something he knew he could never achieve; the martial skill in this man’s body was definitely extraordinary.

Hu Beikang, having just escaped peril, was now facing this bizarre turn of events, and his heart was a whirlwind of emotions. After thinking for a long while, he said, "Ge Shuanwa, were you just scared stiff back then... if so, you could have just told Mr. Liu!"

Fan Debiao, being an official after all, quickly interjected, "Mr. Liu, we can discuss Ge Shuanwa's business later. Whatever difficult things need saying, let's discuss them when we get back. Let’s not cause a scene here; who knows what else might pop out!"

Ge Shuanwa laughed a few more times, then suddenly remarked, "Mr. Liu, what a 'Mister' you are! Haha!"

Young Master Liu felt uncertain at his tone. "What on earth are you laughing at!"

Ge Shuanwa instantly stood up, placed his hands behind his back, and raised his face to gaze at the sky, which was already beginning to lighten. As he stood, his entire demeanor transformed as if he were reborn—every movement fluid and unrestrained, completely unlike the silent, reserved Ge Shuanwa of moments before!

Ge Shuanwa declared, "Drawing talismans from newspapers, singing to soothe the soul—a fine successor to Celestial Master Zhang, a whole volume of the Zhengyi Fu Zuan! For a mere three-legged tomcat Daoist to fight his way out of this den of monsters and demons, leading a group and losing not a single one—I, Xuanzhenzi of Mount Zhongnan, am deeply impressed, haha! If it were me facing so many things alone, I might not have retreated unscathed either!"

Young Master Liu was surprised. "You are from Mount Zhongnan? Are you also a practitioner?"

Ge Shuanwa sneered, "You clodhopper, you dare claim to practice the Way! I admire your luck, but certainly not your cultivation!"

Fan Debiao listened, wide-eyed, "Ge Shuanwa, back in Wuhan you said you weren't..."

Ge Shuanwa cut in, "I bear a heavy responsibility from my sect. In recent years, practitioners have either been denounced or constantly unsettled. I had no choice but to lower myself and mix with you fools. Even if you hadn't seen through me today, Mr. Liu, I would have departed on my own accord soon anyway!"

Young Master Liu asked, "What is that book of yours? Did you find it in that cave?" Ge Shuanwa smiled, an acknowledgment.

Young Master Liu trembled with anger, "Then when I was about to go in, you extinguished the lamp yourself?"

Ge Shuanwa wore a look of distinct satisfaction on his face. "Precisely. I had just obtained the book and discovered... haha, before I could properly secure it, you were coming in. I had no choice but to put out the light and let out a ghostly howl. Haha... you certainly care for me! I appreciate your thoughtfulness!"

Hu Beikang suddenly understood. "No wonder you didn't undo your belt or take off your clothes—you had things hidden on you!"

Ge Shuanwa merely smiled, utterly unwilling to spare a glance for these mortals. Fan Debiao snapped in anger, "And you deliberately splattered Gui’s blood onto that ancient corpse too, didn't you!"

Hearing this, a flash of realization lit up in Young Master Liu's mind. "You knew about this insect, didn't you? Tell me!"

Ge Shuanwa smiled and nodded.

Young Master Liu took a deep breath. "I, Liu, failed to recognize your status as a master; I was blind. I have just one question for you: Did you know about this cave beforehand? Was this entire affair your arrangement?"

Ge Shuanwa replied, "I knew of the person who died in this cave, but stumbling upon this cave this time was sheer coincidence. To suggest I could arrange such a thing overrates me! Fan Debiao, I must thank you! If you hadn't let me tag along, I'd probably still be blasting rocks at a construction site, haha. As they say, truth is stranger than fiction. I will let you all go this time as repayment. Whether we meet again, alive or dead, will depend on my mood next time!"

Fan Debiao roared and snatched up a rock nearby, charging toward Ge Shuanwa, intending to smash him down. Young Master Liu cried out in alarm, "No, Captain Fan!"

Ge Shuanwa didn't even spare him a glance. As Fan Debiao neared, he extended a single finger and tapped Fan Debiao’s shoulder. Fan Debiao felt half his body instantly go numb and collapsed, unable to stand, his eyes filled with fury.

Ge Shuanwa casually placed his hands behind his back, standing tall and proud. "I said, I owe you all some credit for my obtaining this book today. I won't make things difficult for you now, but if you make things difficult for yourselves, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

Saying this, his eyes, sharp as lightning, swept over the group. Except for Young Master Liu, everyone involuntarily took a step back. Young Master Liu bowed slightly, "Then I truly thank you for showing mercy."

Ge Shuanwa said complacently, "A simple matter, a simple matter!"

The horizon was now entirely white; it wouldn't be long until dawn. Young Master Liu smiled faintly, "Perhaps parting comes with the daylight!"

Ge Shuanwa responded, "Indeed. You are quite an interesting person. It’s a pity the Zhengyi and Quanzhen sects are utterly opposed; otherwise, I might have entertained thoughts of taking you as a disciple. Your dead master gets the luck, though!"

Young Master Liu paused, then began calculating that this fellow was, in fact, a member of the Quanzhen school of the Northern Daoist tradition. His expression unchanged, he asked, "One last question: What book is that?" Just then, a small gust of wind suddenly swept through the valley, stirring Ge Shuanwa's hair and clothes, making him look like an immortal.

When asked this, Ge Shuanwa pondered briefly, then turned away. "What all men seek through ages past, what burdens all things between heaven and earth. Tell me, is there anyone immortal, anything imperishable?"

Young Master Liu replied, "The passing of the old and the new is the way of nature. I believe there is not!"

Ge Shuanwa laughed heartily: "Men cannot live forever, but they can be reborn. The name of this book is the Taiping Jing, created by Zhang Jiao of the Yellow Turbans, haha!" Amidst his laughter, Ge Shuanwa strode away. In less than a moment, his figure vanished over the small mountain opposite them.

Once the man was gone, Young Master Liu suddenly cried out, "Aiyo," and sank onto the ground. Huang Shitai rushed over to help, asking, "Mr. Liu, are you alright!"

Young Master Liu gave a wry smile. "This man is terrifying to this degree; just one look from him made my entire body feel weak. Fan Debiao, you actually knew a person like this? Truly incredible!"

Fan Debiao's numbness gradually receded. He sat up angrily, grumbling, "Damn it, I don't know anyone like that!" He then added, "Aiyo, was that guy a spy from Taiwan? Was he here to sabotage our tunnel digging?"

Young Master Liu chuckled wryly. Having just escaped a den of ghosts, Fan Debiao was no longer afraid of specters, but his mind was still fixed on class struggle!

Hu Beikang asked, "Mr. Liu, was that man even more ruthless than you?"

Young Master Liu retorted angrily, "How am I ruthless? But if that man had gotten angry today, he could have quietly disposed of us without a trace!"

Huang Shitai exclaimed, "Aiyo, I don't think he was being kind-hearted; I think he was injured!" He pointed to the spot where Ge Shuanwa had been standing, where two dark blood stains marked the ground.

Young Master Liu immediately slapped his thigh. "That son of a bitch, his words sounded more divine than an immortal’s, but he was just putting on a show. He probably couldn't kill us in one go, so he scared us off and ran!"

Fan Debiao raised his cleaver. "Damn it, I'll chase him down! How dare he frighten me!"

Young Master Liu smiled wryly, "Judging by his aura, even injured, Captain Fan, you are absolutely no match for him!"

Just then, Su Yougui groaned on the ground, still muttering, "Ah... um... hasn't the snake been roasted yet?" Only then did everyone remember the patient and hurried over to check on him. In the growing daylight, they could see clearly that his hand was swollen like a loaf of risen dough.

Huang Shitai gasped in horror, "Even a small centipede is this poisonous. If he had been bitten by that giant centipede, he would have been done for for good!"

Suddenly, something dawned on Young Master Liu, and he said, "Not good! Your brother’s stomach..."