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Xiao Yefeng did not wish to come to pay respects, but the family had rules. According to the Xiao Family's ancestral teachings, one was not allowed to pay respects during the New Year. It was said that when a person died, it was like a lamp extinguished; one could not bring anything into this world nor take anything away when leaving. Once a person had passed, there was no need for offerings, and after a relative's death, one was only permitted to pay respects three times. After those three times, all past matters were severed. Paying respects three times with reverence was considered sufficient to repay the gratitude for life, upbringing, and education.
After that, one could never return to pay respects again. The Xiao Family's teachings stated that honoring parents at home was more important than burning incense far away. While a person was alive, they should give their all; what good would it do to be filial after death? Thus, a seemingly unreasonable yet reasonable rule had been established.
Therefore, the moment he returned home, Xiao Yefeng did not choose to come here, and upon his release from prison, he also did not rush back. Having already used two of his three opportunities for paying respects, he would not easily use the last one.
Kneeling before the grave, Xiao Yefeng spoke many words to the tombstone and poured out the wine he had brought. Finally, he addressed his uncle: "Uncle, although you did not care for me for long, I still hold you in great respect. Rest assured, I am living well. Though I have nearly met you many times, I have not gone; my great revenge has yet to be fulfilled. I have not found that organization yet, but I will live well."
After saying this, Xiao Yefeng respectfully bowed three times with his hands on the ground. However, as his hands rested on the tombstone, he felt something unusual. He reached for the last half bottle of wine and poured it at the base of the tombstone. Indeed, under the impact of the wine, a special symbol appeared—shaped like a spider with a poisonous hook at its tail. Seeing this symbol again stirred countless thoughts in Xiao Yefeng's mind.
He then carefully examined both tombstones and found this same mark beneath his parents' tombstone as well. At that moment, Xiao Yefeng realized that the organization had not been elusive; rather, after finding it, they left because they did not find what they wanted. However, he still did not understand what this mark meant. If those who left it truly bore a grudge against his parents, wouldn't it have been better to dig up their graves and steal their bodies? What could this possibly mean?
With these questions lingering in his mind, Xiao Yefeng left Heroic Spirit Mountain. It was already quite late; in fact, the new year in Huaxia had arrived. Most of the lights in the village had dimmed significantly, and only a few flickering lights remained visible as they gradually faded away. At that moment on the road, only Xiao Yefeng walked through the falling snow. Meanwhile, at the entrance of Wei Family Courtyard stood Wei Zhenjiang smoking a cigarette, seemingly waiting for Xiao Yefeng.
"What are you doing out here?" Seeing the old man's shoulders soaked through with rainwater made Xiao Yefeng feel embarrassed.
"Oh! It's nothing; I'm old now and sleep lightly. There's no use in going to bed too early. Besides, it's rare to meet someone with such extraordinary abilities; how could I possibly sleep?" Wei Zhenjiang chuckled.
"Indeed! It has been quite some time since you last went out, hasn't it? But I believe with your skills, just stepping out would attract generous rewards from all sides!" Xiao Yefeng replied.
"Enough chatting at the door; come in and have a drink with me!" With that, Wei Zhenjiang pulled Xiao Yefeng toward his room—the very room where the Shamanic Garb was kept.
Inside the room, dishes were already laid out on the kang (a traditional heated bed), indicating that Wei Zhenjiang had prepared everything in advance. Following Old Master Wei's lead and removing their shoes before stepping onto the kang, Xiao Yefeng began chatting with him. Although they were strangers at first, their brief acquaintance felt like that of long-time friends. Wei Zhenjiang openly shared his situation while Xiao Yefeng also explained his own circumstances. Through their conversation, he learned that Wei Zhenjiang's Shamanic Garb was unlike any family inheritance known to him.
The Shamanic Garb was left to Wei Zhenjiang by his master. Back when the founding of Huaxia took place, Wei Zhenjiang's master nearly lost his life because of this very Shamanic Garb. It was only through his selfless sacrifice that this precious garment was preserved. Apart from the clothing, the most valuable items were a drum and a whip. As they conversed, Wei Zhenjiang carefully took out the Wen Wang Drum and the Overlord Whip, revealing none of the carefree demeanor he had shown while traveling.
Upon receiving the Wen Wang Drum, Xiao Yefeng discovered that it was a rare fish-skin drum. Through Wei Zhenjiang's explanation, Xiao Yefeng learned why his abilities stemmed from this outfit and the whip. It turned out that Wei Zhenjiang had not cultivated inner energy, akin to Xiao Yefeng's Qi; instead, his ability to perform blessings relied entirely on this divine attire.
The clothing itself was remarkable, but the fish-skin Wen Wang Drum could be considered an antique treasure. The skin came from the long-extinct Tiger Head Dragon King Fish, which was said to be capable of swallowing a person whole. This unique fish skin had accumulated the power of its previous owners over generations. The Overlord Whip was equally extraordinary, crafted from wood and interwoven with the skin of the Tiger Head Dragon King Fish along with two other types of animal hides.
Holding the one-foot-long Overlord Whip, Xiao Yefeng felt a subtle power emanating from it; however, he realized he could not absorb it. This must have been the special power of a shaman. When Wei Zhenjiang lightly struck it before Xiao Yefeng, he sensed that power dissipating. It became clear to Xiao Yefeng that Old Master Wei guarded these artifacts but did not know how to wield them.
If Old Master Wei had possessed inner energy and could manipulate the drum and whip, he would have been a formidable figure. Unfortunately, he only knew standard shamanic dance steps and simple striking methods, rendering him unable to command their full potential. This explained why Xiao Yefeng noticed many energies drifting away during rituals; at that time, he thought Old Master Wei was indifferent when in fact he simply lacked control.
After some discussion, Old Master Wei revealed why he had left his hometown. Following his master's death, he traveled with the Shamanic Garb to help people dispel negative energies. In his twenties, full of youthful arrogance and earning money hand over fist, he became somewhat reckless. At this point, Xiao Yefeng asked, "Old Master, did you offend someone?"
Wei Zhenjiang sighed deeply and replied, "Yes, indeed! It was only after I learned my lesson that I realized we are also under someone's watch."
"What organization?" Xiao Yefeng wondered aloud as two names floated in his mind but remained uncertain.
"Forget it; this isn't my concern anymore. I just want you to take heed. You're young and possess inner energy; sooner or later, you'll join them. But you mustn't act alone; otherwise, they will surely punish you!" Wei Zhenjiang warned with a hint of fear.
"Old Master, let me ask you directly: is it the Metaphysics Society?" Xiao Yefeng boldly inquired.
At that moment, Wei Zhenjiang's eyes widened in shock as he spilled his drink. "Wind! You... you're with the Metaphysics Society? I... I left that organization long ago! No! They abandoned me! For all these years, I've been helping my fellow villagers; I've spent all my money on building roads and tombs! Please don't arrest me!"
To Xiao Yefeng's astonishment, Wei Zhenjiang knelt before him, repeatedly bowing in fear of being taken away. However, as soon as Wei Zhenjiang knelt down, Xiao Yefeng reached out to stop him but found himself unable to hold back Old Master Wei's fervent worship and could only step aside to avoid his prostration.
Xiao Yefeng then said, "Old man, you misunderstood. I am not a member of the Metaphysics Society. Although I was invited, I am not one of them!"
Upon hearing Xiao Yefeng's words, Wei Zhenjiang seemed to calm down a bit, or perhaps he was just trying to steady his emotions. At that moment, he filled his glass and after downing half of it in one gulp, he said, "I never expected that after all these years, I would still be so fearful. Regardless! Wind, whether you are a member of the Metaphysics Society or not, I will tell you everything. Even if you join them and take me away, I wouldn't care."
A great secret entered Xiao Yefeng's world as Wei Zhenjiang began to speak. Just as Wei Zhenjiang tore open his shirt and slapped his chest hard with both palms, a hidden tattoo appeared. The emergence of this tattoo made Xiao Yefeng understand certain things.
The tattoo resembled a spider, with a barbed poisonous stinger at the end of its tail. However, Xiao Yefeng noticed that the tattoo on Wei Zhenjiang's chest was different from what he remembered about Azure Harmony and Liu Qing's memories. Wei Zhenjiang's tattoo had three black dots on its side. Initially, Xiao Yefeng thought they were moles on Wei Zhenjiang's body, but upon closer inspection, he realized they were part of the tattoo.
Through Wei Zhenjiang's narration, Xiao Yefeng learned that this organization was called Perfect World, composed of extraordinary individuals. Beyond that, Wei Zhenjiang only knew that in his youth he had met a Geomancer by chance. Through this introduction, Wei Zhenjiang entered Perfect World due to his ability to bless others and dispel negative energy. Soon after, he received the hidden tattoo on his chest, which only appeared when stimulated by external forces. Xiao Yefeng found this quite believable; after all, he himself possessed such a tattoo—an extremely expensive one that not just anyone could afford.
However, Wei Zhenjiang was essentially a shaman without any real power and was quickly abandoned by the members of Perfect World. During one confrontation, as an abandoned member, he was used as a shield. Fortunately, the member from the Metaphysics Society who faced him saw through his facade and let him go. This allowed Wei Zhenjiang to return to his hometown. He had promised that senior back then that he would bless everyone every New Year's Eve as a way to repay the favor. However, joining Perfect World ultimately made him a target for the Metaphysics Society, which left him feeling quite fearful.
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