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The master and apprentice continued their journey, having now entered the territory of the Phoenix. Wang Tuozi led Wei Ning to a Miao Village nestled within the mountains. With transportation becoming increasingly convenient, such pure Miao Villages were nearly extinct. The village was built against the mountains, with stilted houses stacked upon one another, winding upwards along the terrain, extending into an unknown distance. As they approached the village gate, a tall Miao man blocked their path. Wang Tuozi smiled and handed over an embroidered shoe. The man's expression shifted immediately to one of respect as he smiled and said, "Ah, you are a friend of Meng Ge the Elder. It has been years since we last saw him. When you visit him, please send our regards." He then led Wang Tuozi and Wei Ning into the village.
Inside Miao Village, the paths were paved with blue stone, winding from the foot of the mountain to its peak. After navigating several turns, the Miao man stopped in front of a dilapidated stilted house and said, "I can only take you this far. Meng Ge the Elder lives here, and no one is allowed to go up without permission. You’ll have to find your way on your own."
Wang Tuozi thanked him and ascended with Wei Ning. Just as they reached the stairs, an aged voice called out, "What brings you here? Come to deliver me a head?"
As Wang Tuozi climbed, he replied, "This head will be yours sooner or later; why rush?"
The room was an ordinary dwelling of a Miao elder. In the center of the main room was a fire pit specifically for Miao Tribe people, where villagers boiled water and cooked preserved meat.
There was nothing particularly special about the fire pit itself; however, what hung above it was quite unusual.
A human head.
Wang Tuozi seemed unfazed as he approached the head, examining it closely before sighing, "It’s been years; your skills have indeed become more exquisite."
Sitting cross-legged by the fire pit was an elderly man who looked too old to discern his age. He wore traditional coarse Miao clothing, one foot bare while the other wore an embroidered shoe. Upon seeing Wang Tuozi, he smiled and said, "I've saved my finest spices for you; I just need you to bring me your head. I guarantee it will be my most perfect work yet."
Wang Tuozi handed over the embroidered shoe. The elder accepted it and put it on his foot, pointing at Wei Ning with a smile. "This must be the last descendant of the Wei Family; she looks quite clever." He then beckoned Wei Ning closer with a wave of his hand. "Come here and admire my work."
Wei Ning took a few steps back in hesitation, but the elder paid no mind as he gazed fondly at the spinning head above the fire pit. He continued speaking softly, "This is my son; unfortunately, he died from illness. By the time he passed away, his skin had already loosened. Even though I used borax to fix him up and applied fine cinnamon, it’s still not perfect. But I’m not worried because I will make good use of your master’s head; I must create my most perfect piece before I die."
Wang Tuozi handed Meng Ge a glass bottle containing Black Cat and said, "This is what you asked me to get—though I really don’t understand why you want this thing—you're getting involved with Black Cult matters now? Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew."
Meng Ge chuckled and replied, "This isn't for me; it's for Peng Bai Laosi. He recently acquired a girl who seems to have fallen victim to some strange curse poison—her health is weak. This can help restore her vitality. However, I truly didn’t expect you could bring back 'Beast Soul' so easily; it seems your cultivation has improved over these past few years."
Wang Tuozi sighed and said, "You know well that being someone who wants to die but can't is a torment in itself."
"So," Meng Ge casually tossed a handful of cinnamon into the fire pit while gently rotating the head with his right hand. He spoke lightly, "Whether you want to die or not is up to you. But regardless, if you're going to die, you must inform me so that I can prepare for your head; if someone mishandles it after all these years I've waited, everything will be for naught."
"Wang Tuozi" smiled and said, "Of course I know that. I will repay what I owe you. I am not someone who breaks promises."
"Meng Ge" studied "Wang Tuozi" for a while, like a man in love gazing at his beloved woman. Finally, he sighed, "What a magnificent head! I can't help but want to take action right now, using the best spices and cinnamon I've saved for over a decade. I will pour all my skills into your head; you will be my masterpiece for this lifetime."
"Wang Tuozi" chuckled lightly, as if the topic had nothing to do with him. "Meng Ge" took out the "Black Cat" that had been imprisoned by "Wang Tuozi" from the glass bottle.
As soon as the "Black Cat" was released from the bottle, it meowed and tried to escape. With a flick of his finger, "Meng Ge" made the "Black Cat" freeze in place, as if it had encountered something terrifying. "Meng Ge" said, "I waited thirty years for this 'Beast Soul' to encounter misfortune at its weakest point. That's why I asked you to step in; otherwise, if the 'Beast Soul' hadn't fully formed, with our best resources, we wouldn't have been able to subdue it."
"Meng Ge" waved kindly at "Wei Ning," saying, "Come here." "Wang Tuozi" nodded, signaling "Wei Ning" to approach. Hesitantly, "Wei Ning" walked over. With his eyes closed, "Meng Ge" pinched "Wei Ning," murmuring, "Indeed it is the Undying Bone, truly the Undying Bone!"
He then told "Wei Ning," "Friend, you should step outside. I have something to discuss with your master."
With a glance from "Wang Tuozi," "Wei Ning," eager to escape the murky room, hurriedly ran out.
Once "Wei Ning" left, "Meng Ge" sighed, saying, "The Wei Family is indeed a privileged clan; today I have truly witnessed the Undying Bone."
"Wang Tuozi" interjected, "Ah. What good is having the Undying Bone if it is still cursed and cannot live past seven years?"
"Meng Ge" shook his head and replied, "The Wei Family itself is a treasure trove; it's just that its descendants haven't found the key to unlock it. I remember someone from the Wei Family who seemed to have caught a glimpse of some methods; unfortunately, he was limited by resources—though he did quite well with what he had."
"Wang Tuozi" nodded and said, "Old Wei is indeed a remarkable figure. But I wonder how 'Wei Ning' will turn out. From my observations during this time, his talent seems to rival Old Wei's or even surpass it."
"Meng Ge" added more spices and said lightly, "A few years ago, your old friend came by and asked me to pass on a message: if you encounter any trouble, you can go directly to him; he will help you."
"Wang Tuozi" nodded and replied, "One day I will break it apart; after all, I created it. Even if I can't destroy it, I'll make sure we both perish together."
"Meng Ge said, 'Are you still dwelling on what happened back then?'
Wang Tuozi replied with a bitter smile, 'I'm fifteen this year, as you know. Why would I want to live this long?'
Meng Ge sighed and said, 'Actually, some things are just hard for you to let go. By the way, is the Lin family still causing you trouble?'
Wang Tuozi nodded and said, 'Not long ago, a girl from the Lin family came looking for me. She almost tricked me; she's quite clever. But in the end, her cleverness backfired. After all, I've lived for over a hundred years. As the saying goes, the old become wise. To fool an old demon like me, she's still too inexperienced.'
Meng Ge remarked, 'But you didn't kill her?'
Wang Tuozi chuckled bitterly, 'If I wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have even come into this world.'
Meng Ge nodded in agreement. 'That's true.'
'I just left her with something,' Wang Tuozi said as he took out a small box from his robe. 'To make sure she behaves in the future.'
Meng Ge glanced at the box and gasped when she saw a thumb-sized golden Golden Toad inside. 'The Thousand-Year Golden Toad Curse! How did you get your hands on that?'
'Naturally, it was done with skillful hands.'"
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