Daishan Turns The Wind Chapter 20

The Case of the Perfumer (I)

Qingyang City, the capital of the Xuan Dynasty.

On the main street, two shop assistants enthusiastically held onto people: “Come in and take a look, we have good things.”

Feng Yuluo pulled back his clothes: “I really don’t need anything.”

The assistants repeatedly said: “You do, you do, you’ll know once you take a look.”

Feng Yuluo glanced around. On the roadside was the Sui’an Perfumery, magnificent and opulent. In the center stood a noblewoman in her thirties, dressed in flowing, colorful hibiscus cloud brocade, her head adorned with pearls and jade, heavily made up. She leaned one hand on the counter, fanning herself with the other, casually looking over.

Feng Yuluo felt bewildered: “I really am not buying spices.”

Shan Wuzhou stood beside him, and no one dared to bother him.

He was handsome, yes, but with that face frozen three feet deep, who would dare to tug at his clothes? The assistants only dared to pull at the soft-faced, pale, and easily bullied people.

Shan Wuzhou was currently sulking with Feng Yuluo. Since the Patriarch was no longer pretending to have amnesia, Shan Wuzhou couldn’t act as recklessly as before. Although they were hunting demons together, yesterday was yesterday, and today is today.

Moreover, he remembered the time the Patriarch used him to block the ashes, and he recalled how much he had disliked the Patriarch back then.

How they ended up in this current situation, he suddenly couldn’t figure out either.

It was as if he had also lost his memory.

He stiffened his face and walked into the shop.

The assistants were ecstatic and quickly dragged Feng Yuluo inside as well.

The owner of the Sui’an Perfumery, a famous perfumer in Qingyang City, was Sun Zhengmo.

Shan Wuzhou asked bluntly: “What is it?”

He didn’t believe that this big boss simply wanted them to buy some spices. Besides, there was a demonic aura in this shop.

Feng Yuluo surveyed the room. Various small items were sealed tightly, preventing the scents from mixing. The perfumery only carried a faint fragrance of lotus leaves.

Boss Sun said: “I’m recommending spices to you. In the middle of summer, they are very suitable for cultivators like yourselves who travel and toil.”

Shan Wuzhou: “…”

Feng Yuluo suddenly realized: “Could Yuanbao be with you?”

Boss Sun tapped him with her fan: “So, it’s called Yuanbao?”

Was this Yuanbao clone being so honest this time, telling them directly where it was?

Sun Zhengmo invited them to sit in the inner room to talk and produced a locked box.

She said: “Yuanbao has been here for more than twenty days, and you’ve only just found it. Clearly, you aren’t very bright. Yuanbao even told me about the Zishu City case, which took you so many days to investigate. I won’t make things difficult for you; I’ll just tell you directly.”

Feng Yuluo seized the main point, delighted: “So, will this matter be simple?”

Boss Sun smiled: “Of course. I’m taking pity on your intellects and giving you a break.”

The dignified Patriarch of Feng Mountain was being repeatedly humiliated.

Feng Yuluo immediately offered a plate of melon seeds to the box: “Make it even simpler, please. Don’t make me investigate a case, I beg you.”

Boss Sun tapped the table with her painted fingernail, looking hesitant.

The Patriarch of Feng Mountain showed no shame whatsoever. What was face worth? He had started from nothing and lived for so many years; he was not the type of person to be constrained by face.

Nothing was better than saving effort, energy, and money.

Sun Zhengmo finally spoke: “This Yuanbao chose me. During the contract period, I am the one who calls the shots. What good does it do to beg it?”

“…” Feng Yuluo withdrew the plate and pushed it toward Boss Sun, completely unashamed.

Sun Zhengmo had witnessed firsthand why the previous case took so long to investigate. She felt a little worried.

To retrieve the Yuanbao clone, they had to fulfill Boss Sun’s wish:

To greatly expand the Sui’an Perfumery, making it the number one perfumery in the capital, and making the perfumer Sun Zhengmo instantly famous throughout the world. From then on, the Sui’an Perfumery would be bustling with customers, and Boss Sun would be overflowing with gold and silver!

A very simple wish.

Yuanbao, unable to rely on creating illusions to make people spend money, proactively confessed its location, bringing two money-making experts to Boss Sun. This was a roundabout way of saving itself and increasing its magical power.

Thus, Feng Yuluo and Shan Wuzhou became the newest assistants at the perfumery. Every day, as soon as they opened their eyes, they were clocked in to sell spices.

Thanks to his previous successful experience selling firewood and fruit, Feng Yuluo was adept at selling spices. Every day, he would spruce up Shan Wuzhou and place him at the entrance.

Dressed in fine clothes and jade belts, handsome and refined, with a hint of aloofness, he was like a naturally cold spring in the stifling heat, causing people to flock to him.

This was what you called a living signboard. In a single day, selling fifty taels was a sure thing.

“Miss, look at this Spring Season scent. It uses spring osmanthus and autumn ginkgo leaves.”

“Madam, look at the Nine Splendor scent. It uses cedar, agarwood, ice jade, and fireflies from Java.”

“Young Lady, look at this Morning Glory scent. It uses lotus, winter flowers, and bamboo, perfectly complementing you.”

“Young Master, the one I recommend to you is the number one scent for scholars.”

“…”

Shan Wuzhou stood expressionless, keeping a mental ledger.

Very well. This is what life is like—constantly stripping the beautiful things imagined in the heart of their glamorous exterior until the true nature of things is revealed.

Why did Liao Yuanzhi only blow up ashes? He should have used real gunpowder and blasted Feng Yuluo’s face with rubble.

If this happened a few more times, Shan Wuzhou felt he would eventually see through Feng Yuluo, realizing that his so-called devotion to one person was merely a moment of confusion in his ignorant youth.

He could then focus on cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness, unattached and unburdened, ready to transcend the tribulation and ascend!

A rotten gourd seed, a bastard, truly living up to the name.

Every evening, Feng Yuluo counted the silver, sneezing, completely unconcerned. He closed the shop and returned to the inn. Before sleeping, he meditated. He was only seventy thousand taels away from reaching the goal. Everything was proceeding smoothly, and he believed success would come naturally.

That day, the streets were bustling with crowds, making Feng Yuluo rub his hands in anticipation, ready to open the shop and welcome customers.

With so many people, they were bound to strike it rich! They could surely complete the mission ahead of schedule and retrieve the Yuanbao clone!

He lit the welcoming incense, flashed an eight-toothed smile, and was full of confidence.

Half a day passed. The crowd on the street grew larger, but no one entered the shop.

Had the living signboard stopped working?

Feng Yuluo cast a suspicious glance. That shouldn’t be. He was dressed even better and looked even colder than yesterday!

Shan Wuzhou sneered. Very well, another entry in the ledger. He simply flicked his sleeve and walked away.

Feng Yuluo, confused, felt that Shan Wuzhou had been unhappy lately and quickly followed him out.

It turned out the large crowd on the street was due to a major event: General Yang Yi, the Protector General of the Nation, was returning in triumph.

The street was cleared, and people stood on both sides, waiting for the God of War to return. Feng Yuluo craned his neck to look, only seeing the swift cavalry vanguard ride past, announcing the General’s return to the capital.

Soon, a shadow flashed from the city gate, and a troop of soldiers entered the city.

The crowd immediately waved flags, cheered, threw flowers everywhere, and some even set off firecrackers in celebration.

Feng Yuluo covered his ears, unable to help but exclaim: “Wow, this General is very popular!”

The person next to him replied: “Of course! Who is General Yang? He is the God of Invincibility! The God who defends the borders! The God who protects the Xuan Dynasty!”

Amidst the sound of cannons, the person next to him shouted hoarsely.

The procession reached them. Leading the way was General Yang Yi, who was not yet forty years old. His face was solemn, his thin lips tightly pressed, and his dark armor looked formidable.

Riding on his left was the General’s eldest son, Yang Ye, just over twenty, a talented and spirited young man.

Feng Yuluo immediately squeezed forward, wanting to see what kind of sachet this dashing young man used, so he could select some to sell to him tomorrow.

Given the General’s popularity, if he could win over this young man, half a year’s worth of orders would be easily secured.

A flash of light flickered on the gatehouse. Shan Wuzhou narrowed his eyes and heard a whoosh amidst the crackling firecrackers.

Shan Wuzhou immediately pulled back the overly excited Feng Yuluo. Sure enough, an arrow pierced the air and struck Yang Ye directly in the neck.

Immediately afterward, a string of firecrackers was thrown into the convoy. The horses were startled, whinnying, and many people fell.

“Assassin!”

“Be careful!”

“Protect the General!”

The citizens screamed and scattered, fleeing in all directions.

“Help! Run!”

The welcoming flags dropped to the ground, and chaos erupted.

Yang Yi watched his eldest son fall, drew his sword, and roared three times!

After all, they were hundreds of battle-hardened soldiers. They quickly stabilized and searched for the assailant.

Another dozen sharp arrows flew through the air. The soldiers quickly used their swords to block them.

In the confusion, Feng Yuluo saw Yang Ye, trampled by people and horses. He only groaned once before dying, his eyes wide open.

Shan Wuzhou looked up. There were seven masked archers on the rooftops, positioned in different spots. In the hidden corners, there were dozens more people, holding sharp swords and ready to strike.

The flash of light earlier was the reflection of their blades.

After the arrows, those dozens of people rushed down, heading straight for Yang Yi.

The scene was tense.

Unexpectedly, more than ten people hidden among the populace covered their faces, drew sharp weapons, and helped surround and attack Yang Yi.

Most of the citizens had retreated. Shan Wuzhou pulled Feng Yuluo behind a kite stall. The scene was bloody, and people constantly wailed and fell.

This was a premeditated assassination! What was strange was that judging by the masked assailants’ clothing, movements, swords, and bows, it felt like there were at least nine different groups of people.

Wasn’t Yang Yi the Protector General of the Nation? Was he so hated in the capital?

Or was this retaliation from an enemy state?

Shan Wuzhou held the Patriarch, cautiously scanning the surroundings.

In the distance, the city guards and government officials rushed over. The dozens of masked assassins were falling into a disadvantage, with seven or eight already dead, but they did not stop, each one charging at Yang Yi.

The General was heroic. He abandoned his sword for a spear, moving with fierce power, taking down one person with every thrust. Driven by the rage of his son’s murder, he roared with murderous intent, almost single-handedly turning the tide of the battle.

Feng Yuluo watched nervously, holding his breath, and happened to see a pair of familiar eyes.

No wonder they ended up at the Sui’an Perfumery in Qingyang City. He knew Yuanbao’s choice of person wouldn’t be simple. What should he do?

Seeing that person about to be pierced, Shan Wuzhou flicked a stone at him.

The person narrowly dodged, rolled, stood up, and charged forward with his blade. Relentless.

Feng Yuluo immediately grabbed Shan Wuzhou: “Don’t move, I’ll go.” He patted Shan Wuzhou’s hand reassuringly, tore off a piece of cloth to cover his face, and stealthily circled around to the back.

Shan Wuzhou watched with cold eyes, wanting to shout but holding back.

Yang Yi dismounted, determined to kill the assassins. He swept his spear, knocking down several, and charged straight toward that person.

Shan Wuzhou, conflicted, gripped a small stone, secretly preparing.

“Clang!”

“Clang, clang, clang!”

On the city wall, Feng Yuluo banged a gong to attract attention and shouted: “Run away!!!”

The person desperately shoved, his arm getting stabbed. He gritted his teeth, threw out a signal flare, and retreated with five companions. In the mist, the others also withdrew.

Feng Yuluo quickly jumped the wall. Shan Wuzhou caught him, and they flew back to the inn, showing their faces to the innkeeper.

With the speed of cultivators, this could serve as an alibi.

After returning to the room, they jumped out the window and headed straight for Boss Sun’s residence. With the agility of cultivators, they could definitely catch her red-handed.

Since hiring the two assistants, Boss Sun had become a hands-off manager. She claimed she needed to secretly concoct the most amazing scent in preparation for success, and simultaneously plot a grand performance to build momentum for her success.

Obsessed with success, she hadn’t appeared for four days.

Feng Yuluo had just witnessed a grand assassination, and he planned to catch Boss Sun and see what she had been plotting.

When he pushed open the door, he saw Sun Zhengmo holding a piece of paper, her eyes shining.

“…”

She was wearing complex four-layered silk robes, twenty jade hairpins on her head, and exquisite makeup from her forehead to her chin. Her nails were painted a vibrant, starry vermillion purple…

If she hadn’t used a disguise technique, this could probably count as an alibi.