CHAPTER 860: CHAPTER 576: GOD-INVITING INCENSE AND LORD EIGHT-STRIPES’ COMMISSION (PART 2)

"Alright, it’s time for you to go. Guests can’t linger long in the boiler room."

He started to usher people out.

"Then why didn’t you stop me from coming in the first place?"

Liu Zheng rolled his eyes, but still turned to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Ba Tiao suddenly called out to him.

Then he leaped up, moved along the ceiling like a spider, retrieved something from a corner, and leaped back down.

"Take this, consider it your upfront payment."

Ba Tiao handed the item in his hand to Liu Zheng.

It was a red lacquer box, with the wood itself being black. The palm-sized box was carved with patterns of flowers, grass, insects, and fish, clearly of great value.

He opened the lacquer box, and inside was a "divine" character made of some unknown material.

"What is this?"

Not understanding, he asked.

"This is Seal Incense."

Ba Tiao explained.

Incense can be categorized by shape into stick incense, coil incense, cone incense, incense balls, incense powder, and so on. Seal Incense is a rare type where incense powder is pressed into imprinted patterns.

"Our family’s ancestral craft is incense-making, but not ordinary incense."

Ba Tiao continued.

"What kind of incense is it then?"

Liu Zheng cooperatively asked.

"Killing incense. It can be colorless and odorless, killing invisibly. It can also scent ten miles, leaving no trace of birds and plants dying out."

Ba Tiao replied.

"Isn’t that suitable for assassins?"

"Exactly. Our Fengmo Family was originally an assassin family."

Ba Tiao nodded.

"Wow, Fuma Kotaro?"

He exclaimed.

"Not Fuma, it’s Fengmo."

Ba Tiao shook his head.

"’Fengmo’ refers to the ’Hour of Meeting Demons’ when day and night alternate, and the yin and yang are confused. At this time, it’s easiest to encounter demons and fairies. And it’s said that our Fengmo Family’s incense-making technique was taught by a fairy at this hour."

"Are you sure it was a fairy and not a powerful demon?"

Liu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"I don’t know, that’s what the ancestors said anyway."

Ba Tiao wasn’t offended.

In reality, they themselves didn’t quite believe it since such killing incense techniques seemed more like the work of monsters and demons.

"So this incense is killing incense?"

He asked.

"No. I no longer make killing incense, nor will I pass on the technique. Once I’m gone, this ominous legacy ends."

Ba Tiao shook his head.

"Wise decision."

Liu Zheng nodded.

He didn’t need to ask to know that Ba Tiao’s other family members’ deaths were surely related to killing incense.

"Do you want it?"

Ba Tiao suddenly asked.

"No."

Liu Zheng decisively shook his head.

"Why? I can see you clearly lack a legacy."

With Ba Tiao’s experience, he naturally noticed that Liu Zheng had no signs of systematic training.

"Lacking is lacking, but I’ve managed so far. Besides, your killing incense sounds a bit effeminate to me; I prefer the fiery kind where if you’re a brother, come fight me."

He said naturally.

"Did I say I was going to teach you? You even seem to dislike it."

Ba Tiao glared.

Though he himself hated this skill, it was unpleasant to have it belittled.

"If you’re not teaching, you’re not teaching. So what exactly is this?"

Liu Zheng shook the lacquer box in his hand.

"This is God-inviting Incense. As long as you chant the divine name and light this incense, you’ll receive help from the deity whether you’re a follower or not."

"You can also offer it to a deity you encounter to usually get a good return. Even for a hostile deity, offering God-inviting Incense usually grants clemency."

Ba Tiao introduced.

"What about someone like Shao Yanming?"

He asked.

"He... probably not. Your conflict seems personal and irreconcilable."

Ba Tiao hesitated, then said.

"Oh, it’s fine, I was just curious. I wouldn’t give it to him anyway."

Liu Zheng shrugged.

If he dares to cause trouble, he’ll just kill him again. Perfect, he can auction it off too.

What if he lights the God-inviting Incense and chants the name behind Black Mountain Goat Cub?

"Uh, never mind, doing that could really get me killed."

The thought had just arisen, but Liu Zheng immediately dismissed it.

Chanting for that one is worse than chanting for "Ra." Although the latter is down now, he’s still a Main God, and they’ve cooperated many times based on mutual trust.

"This was originally a gift I intended for Future as a graduation present."

Ba Tiao glanced at the God-inviting Incense with reluctance.

This God-inviting Incense consumed the last of Fengmo’s materials and much of Ba Tiao’s savings for extra materials.

The process was also quite accidental. Even with the same materials, he would find it hard to make another.

"Truly, the love of elders is as boundless as the world."

Liu Zheng showed sympathy as he smoothly stored the God-inviting Incense in the Headless Mandarin Duck Pouch.

"Hmph, the more I see you, the more annoying you become. Get lost, quickly."

Ba Tiao grumbled through gritted teeth.

"Fine, I’m leaving!"

After grabbing a few more golden balls, he left Hundred Ghosts accompanied by Ba Tiao through the same exit as last time.

Back at "Gaga Bathhouse," Yuan Baoer prepared a feast for him.

Considering his lack of energy reserves, Liu Zheng didn’t refuse.

"How did the negotiations with the Stone Spirit Clan go?"

Yuan Baoer asked while pouring him some wine.

"It’s mostly settled, but they only agreed to help, not get too involved."

Liu Zheng showed the little skeleton Shi Tiantian gave him.

"Understandable. We’re the Overseas Dragon; they’re the local tyrants. Once we’re done making a fuss, we’re out, but they have to keep living in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."

"That’s the gist of it. President Yuan, I need to make a call."

He gestured with his phone.

"Go ahead, Mr. Liu."

Yuan Baoer placed a huge pork knuckle in his bowl and returned to her seat.

"Is this Liu Zheng speaking?"

The call connected, but it wasn’t Niu Ma’s voice on the other end.

"Who is this?"

"Hello, Master, I’m Niu Sanji. My big brother is soaking in a medicinal bath, and our mother asked me to watch over him."

The voice introduced itself.

"Oh, hello. How is Da Ji doing?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Big brother’s injuries have stabilized. However, there’s some other medicinal effect in him that we tried to remove but can’t."

Niu Sanji explained.

"Yeah, I know about that. You guys don’t need to worry, I’ll handle it."

After some thought, Liu Zheng decided not to mention anything about the Sand Worm Blood to Niu Sanji.

Once Niu Daji awakens, he’ll share with him and let Niu Daji decide whether to tell the family.

"Alright."

Niu Sanji wisely refrained from asking more questions.

"How long until Da Ji recovers fully?"

Liu Zheng inquired.

"Mother says at least three days and nights, but if we had some precious medicinal ingredients, it could be faster. But we’ve run out at home."

Niu Sanji said, somewhat embarrassed.

The Niu family’s financial situation was only moderately well-off, with a cautious approach, so their supply of healing medicines wasn’t complete.

"Tell me which ingredients are needed?"

Liu Zheng took out paper and pen from the Headless Mandarin Duck Pouch.

Knowing they’d need more later, he got a large batch from Yangzi.

"Five-leaf clover, male tiger bone, Black Toad Venom..."

Liu Zheng noted down the required ingredients one by one, then handed the list to Yuan Baoer.

"I’ll call the Bai Family to deliver the supplies and contact the Niu family to pick them up directly."

Yuan Baoer said after glancing at the list.

The Bai family was also one of the Five Families outside the Pass, primarily involved in healthcare and medicinal trade.

"Thank you, President Yuan."

"We’re all on the same side, no need to be formal."

Yuan Baoer replied slightly reproachfully.

"Hmm... Sanji, is it convenient for me to visit now?"

Liu Zheng asked hurriedly, hairs on his neck pricking.

"Uh, Master, it might not be convenient."

Niu Sanji scratched his head.

The Niu family’s ancestors ensured their descendants had an iron bowl for living but didn’t forget to provide them with a safe house.

"Alright then. Let me know if anything comes up."

Liu Zheng hung up the phone and then entered a frenzy of eating.

After he was satisfied with food and drink, he left Bathhouse Street and returned to his resting suite.