Chapter 21: Discerning the Finest Detail, the True Eye that Distinguishes Good from Evil (Part I)

Page 1 of 3

“If he were still alive, I would have no objection. But the matter of his master remains a hidden danger.”

“Those old monsters who once vanished into the dust, and should have been forgotten by history, have begun crawling out again. They want to control the mortal world, and there is nothing they would not do.”

The middle-aged noblewoman narrowed her eyes as she spoke.

“The international situation is changing by the day. Certain countries have made enormous breakthroughs in life sciences, and more and more ‘spikes’ are being driven into China. Experts who have attained sainthood through the physical body have become important bargaining chips and sources of support in this competition. I do not think the tragedy at Mount Tianmu, when the Twelve Martial Saints of Japan entered China, should ever be allowed to happen again.”

The speaker was a refined, scholarly-looking middle-aged man in a white shirt.

“Hanlin, there is something you need to understand. Only those who can be controlled and are willing to abide by the rules can be considered bargaining chips and sources of support. Otherwise, they will merely become unstable factors that threaten society.”

The square-faced middle-aged man spoke again.

“Enough, Changping. You only joined the Special Security Bureau recently, so you do not yet understand the temperaments of those who have attained sainthood through the physical body. They may disdain kings and slight ministers, and they may disregard the law, but they have their own bottom lines—indeed, those convictions are countless times firmer than those of ordinary people, because nothing can make them waver.”

“Before taking action, this man sought out our people and said those things to us. He is clearly not some vicious criminal.”

The middle-aged man seated at the head of the table was Zhao Ping, the Director-General of the Special Security Bureau. He possessed a kindly, prosperous appearance.

He knew that Ma Changping’s attitude represented the position of certain people behind him.

Those who attained sainthood through the physical body could roam the world by relying on their personal strength. Some considered them a source of support; others regarded them as a calamity. Many were deeply dissatisfied with Zhao Ping’s inclination to side with such people.

That was the flaw of any organization: though it gathered the strength of many, the will of those many could never avoid division.

Fortunately, within the Special Security Bureau, Zhao Ping was still capable of taking the lead.

Seeing that Ma Changping was about to speak again, the middle-aged man raised a hand and cut him off.

“Enough. Since there are differing opinions, we will follow the usual procedure and settle the matter by vote. I support establishing friendly relations and deep cooperation with the man in Wencheng.”

One hand after another rose into the air. More than seventy percent of those in the conference room voted in favor.

“Hanlin, you will represent the Special Security Bureau and make contact with him. Find out what he wants and what demands he has.”

Zhao Ping looked toward the refined middle-aged man.

“Yes, Director Zhao.”

Sun Hanlin nodded.

“I request permission to accompany Director Sun.”

At that moment, Ma Changping—who had not raised his hand during the vote—lifted it instead.

Zhao Ping frowned slightly.

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

“Rest assured, Director Zhao. I will naturally obey the decision made by the group. But since we are going to negotiate, someone has to play the villain, does he not? Surely we cannot simply concede on every point. That would hardly be defensible, and I would have difficulty answering to certain senior figures who take an interest in our work.”

“After all, our opponent is still a young man. The fact that he approached us proves that he does not wish for mutual destruction. Only by combining conciliation with firmness can we achieve the best possible result, would you not agree?”

Ma Changping spoke in an indifferent tone.

“Very well. You and Sun Hanlin will go together. But you must watch your words. Do you understand?”

Zhao Ping pondered for a moment before finally nodding.

There was no helping it. Ma Changping represented a certain faction, and since he had agreed to Zhao Ping’s resolution, Zhao could not afford to disregard that side completely.

“This matter should not be delayed. Make your preparations and set out at once.”

Zhao Ping dismissed the meeting, but deliberately kept Sun Hanlin behind to give him one final instruction.

“Keep an eye on Ma Changping. Do not let him cause trouble.”

“I understand.”

Sun Hanlin nodded.

The following day, in Wencheng.

Sun Hanlin and Ma Changping had already arrived. Under Zhou Baiwei’s guidance, they made their way to Yi Beidou’s residence.

“Both of you, Yi Beidou is rigid by nature and fierce in his conduct. Once he gives his word, he never goes back on it. He will accept gentleness, but not force. When you meet him, it would be best to use conciliatory methods. Otherwise, you may provoke a confrontation.”

Zhou Baiwei spoke to them as they walked.

“Understood. Thank you for the warning, Baiwei. Changping, I will speak with him first. Do not say anything for the time being.”

Sun Hanlin turned to Ma Changping.

“I know what I am doing.”

Ma Changping gave a noncommittal reply, though inwardly he felt even more displeased with people of this sort.

They relied on their own martial strength and allowed chivalry to disrupt the law. Such men were no blessing to the nation. The Special Security Bureau was simply too weak, and that was what had created the current situation.

Before long, they reached the northern outskirts of Wencheng by car. Yi Beidou was currently living in the villa he had built himself after achieving mastery of his path.

When they arrived, he was strolling casually through the courtyard, observing the plants and insects and taking in the breath of nature.

The group stopped at the entrance to the courtyard. Zhou Baiwei was just about to call out to Yi Beidou and introduce Sun Hanlin and Ma Changping when Yi Beidou suddenly turned his head and looked toward them.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

A powerful, threatening aura flashed through his eyes, leaving the minds of all three momentarily blank.

The next instant, their vision blurred. Yi Beidou had already crossed the dozen or so yards between them and appeared directly before them. He touched one finger to Ma Changping’s chest.

Bang!

Ma Changping had barely come to a stop. Even as a master who had fully unified and internalized his strength, he could not react in time. Before he had spoken a single word, he was sent flying backward.

His tall body tumbled repeatedly across the ground. Fine clothes were soon covered in dust, and he lay limp on the earth, his fate unknown.

Sun Hanlin and Zhou Baiwei stood frozen in place. Neither could understand why Yi Beidou had suddenly attacked. They had only just arrived. They had said nothing and done nothing.

“You! What are you doing?! How dare you injure someone for no reason?!”

Once she recovered, Zhou Baiwei turned pale with shock. Ma Changping was a senior official of the Special Security Bureau, with powerful interests behind him. If anything happened to him, the consequences would be disastrous.

She could not understand why Yi Beidou had done such a thing.

“Mr. Yi... what is the meaning of this?”

Sun Hanlin looked at the tall man before him, whose towering figure seemed to block out even the sunlight, and instinctively took two steps back.

“You two carry a powerful aura of officialdom, and Zhou Baiwei has brought you here. You should be senior figures in the Special Security Bureau. The moment you approached, I sensed intense malice from this man. Whatever came out of his mouth would certainly have been unpleasant, and I had no desire to listen. So I made him lie down first. Do you think I was wrong?”

Yi Beidou shifted his gaze from the motionless Ma Changping to Zhou Baiwei and Sun Hanlin.

The pressure was like Mount Tai collapsing overhead, like a judge passing sentence on their lives.

When he had first achieved freedom, he had been able to sense the malice of the outside world through the thick metal walls of an underground chamber. Now that his freedom had reached perfection, how could his Heavenly Demon Sense be anything ordinary?

“This... this...”

For a moment, Sun Hanlin did not know how to answer. Sweat had already begun running down his forehead.

He knew perfectly well what position Ma Changping represented. What he had never imagined was that before they had even identified themselves, Yi Beidou had already seen through everything.

Sun Hanlin occupied a high position and had witnessed every sort of situation. He had even encountered a number of experts who had attained sainthood through the physical body. Yet he had never met an existence like Yi Beidou.

He could distinguish the smallest details and sense good and evil, as though he possessed an all-seeing eye.

If someone displeased him, he would strike without hesitation. He had no scruples whatsoever. Regardless of status or rank, everyone was treated exactly the same in his eyes.

Page 3 of 3