Chapter 33 - 33 30 Story

Words : 1551 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

33: Chapter 30 Story 33: Chapter 30 Story “Manifestation?” “Sin?” “It’s just a stone idol filled with vile energy and no spiritual essence. Let me show you its true colors!” Zhou Xuan’s harsh words resonated powerfully. He swung his arms, putting all his strength into smashing repeatedly with a hoe. Small cracks expanded into large gaps, with blood flowing through them. The laborers around him kept retreating; some of the more timid ones even knelt down and clasped their hands in prayer, begging Buddha not to blame them. Liu Tianen was also stunned. He had admired Zhou Xuan before, admired his intellect and exceptional perception, but now, he admired him even more! Admired his reckless, wild drive. “People who do great deeds need to have such vigor.” He almost wished he could slide down there and shout to Zhou Xuan, “Brother Zhou, let me help you!” The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t bring himself to shout them out; it only turned into a sigh: “Alas, I’m ultimately not one to do great deeds.” Courage doesn’t save the faint-hearted… Thump, thump, thump, The continuous slamming curled the blade of a perfectly good hoe. Zhou Xuan switched to another hoe and continued smashing. Finally, a hand-sized hole was smashed into the belly of the Buddha, the blood flowed even more freely, like water from a cut hose. “The hole is still not big enough! You all can’t see what’s inside clearly yet…” Zhou Xuan’s expression was cold as he smashed the hoe a few more times. The interior of the Buddha statue was hollow; once a small hole was punctured, it was much easier to widen it compared to before. Until Zhou Xuan enlarged the hole in the Buddha’s belly to the size of two heads, finally, the first objects were flushed out by the blood. They were grey and brown-stained human skulls! The laborers around him were stunned. Why would there be skulls inside the belly of a Buddha? “Everybody look closely, whether this is really a Buddha statue, or a filthy den harboring filth.” Zhou Xuan continued smashing with the hoe, The hole in the belly expanded rapidly, a dozen skulls came out together, rolling on the ground and hitting each other with thudding sounds. Each thud stirred the courage in the laborers’ hearts. “Boss Zhou is right, this is not a Buddha… smash it.” “Smash it.” One by one, the laborers picked up hoes and began chiseling at the stone idol. … Skulls scattered on the ground made the atmosphere of the Earth Temple eerily grim, but no one soaked in sweat was scared anymore. Daring to smash a bloody Buddha statue with a hoe, why fear dead people’s skulls? Even if these skulls, soaked in blood for a long time, had developed a heavy Yin Sha Qi, they were just like grasshoppers scurrying through the grass—easily crushed to pulp underfoot. By this time, Zhou Xuan had finished his work. He returned to the edge of the pit, standing next to Liu Tianen, both looking down at the bustling Earth Temple. “I thought you were going to smash from head to tail?” Liu Tianen said. Zhou Xuan shook his head. He had the courage, but his physique was not as robust as the laborers. As long as he could inspire the laborers to swing their hoes at the Buddha statue, he could retire from this successfully. Professional matters should be left to the professionals. “Director Liu, are these white skull bones enough for you to close the case?” “Enough, more than enough,” Liu Tianen murmured to himself, this wasn’t just enough, it was huge news. A belly full of human skulls, how many lives does that account for? Such a huge case was solved smoothly, his achievements would surely skyrocket. In the future at the Investigation Bureau, what face would Lao Liu have? Strutting around! Director walking into the office would have to brew a cup of tea for me first! “I don’t think it’s enough.” Zhou Xuan patted Liu Tianen’s shoulder and said, “If you still want merits, keep digging. There are more discoveries to be made below, as long as you don’t mind the trouble.” The skulls in the belly of the Buddha, came from villagers sacrificed in the Blood Sacrifice. But there were remains of “food” that the Big Belly Monk devoured, some fragmented limbs buried under the Earth Temple. Death cannot be brought back to life, yet seeing the bones unearthed, finding a proper place for burial is still commendable. “I’m not afraid of a big affair, but I fear the reward might not be enough… Thank you, Brother Zhou.” The hidden pleasure in Liu Tianen’s “thank you” was heartfelt and came with immense respect for capable people. “Ha, Mr. Dai’s case is resolved, can our Zhou Family’s Troupe leave now?” “That is natural.” “Since Director Liu has made his decision, I must not trouble you any further, I shall take my leave!” Zhou Xuan headed towards the stage. Liu Tianen followed closely: “I’ll see you off.” … On the stage, Xu Li was holding a silk pouch, humming a cheerful tune. She had been happy all afternoon, and the troupe was abuzz — first discussing how the Young Master had completely subdued Liu Tianen, then spreading the word that the Young Master had single-handedly uncovered the truth behind Mr. Dai’s mysterious death. Just when everyone thought matters were nearly resolved, someone came to report that the Young Master had unearthed a decades-old major criminal case from Corridor River. Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Every time Xu Li heard about something incredible Zhou Xuan had managed, she genuinely rejoiced. “I’ve told you all before, Xiao Xuan is no ordinary person, smart as he is. You lot jump at every rumor, even said Xiao Xuan is a wandering soul, what now? Yesterday he paid tribute with the Nuomian to our ancestors, and the ancestors acknowledged him! If it weren’t for Xiao Xuan today, our Zhou Family’s Troupe would have gotten in deep trouble, either breaking a limb or losing skin.” Xu Li was teaching the troupe members, her lips curling into an aunt-like smile. “Look, Xiao Xuan is back, look, Director Liu, such a high-ranking official, chumming up to Xiao Xuan like they’re iron brothers…” The onlookers from the troupe were envious but still puzzled—hadn’t this young master previously been a clueless fool? How had he managed to win people over now? It was Yu Jia, the fourth senior brother, who watched Zhou Xuan and Liu Tianen chatting amiably, feeling overly complicated and quite displeased. Yu Jia had been trained in opera since childhood, studied for four or five years, admittedly not really cut out for the arts, but the Class Leader, recognizing his sharp mind and eloquence, introduced him to a broker mentor to learn business. This career choice suited him. He was quick-witted and sociable, deftly managing even the most challenging clients. By now, he had established a formidable reputation in the vast Ping Shui Prefecture, well-known among the Mr. Bai Yun circle, who often invited him to gatherings. He had risen smoothly to prominence, but today this popular man, proud of his connections and abilities in smoothing things over for the troupe, felt utterly overshadowed by Zhou Xuan, the prodigal son. “Why him?” Yu Jia sighed, lowered his head to rub his face slowly to soothe the irritation within. When he looked up, Zhou Xuan was already standing before him. “Young Master.” Yu Jia stood up and bowed to Zhou Xuan. Among the five senior brothers, Yu Jia was the only one who addressed Zhou Xuan as “Young Master.” This didn’t signify respect. Within the Zhou Family, almost considered as close as kin, using formal titles indicated either insufficient closeness or a deliberate distancing, perhaps even disdain. “Fourth Brother…” Zhou Xuan started to speak, but Xu Li already came over, smiling while handing him the cloth bag. “Older sister-in-law, what’s this?” “Money. It dawned on me when a disciple asked me for travel and medicine expenses that you didn’t have any money on you. I’ve prepared some for you. In a couple of days, I’ll remind the Class Leader to reset up your cash reserve.” “Please don’t forget then, sister-in-law.” “I won’t forget, Xiao Xuan, really impressive, I’m happy just seeing how capable you look. Alright, you two talk. I’m going to tidy up for the masters.” Sensing Zhou Xuan had serious matters to discuss with Yu Jia, Xu Li tactfully made herself scarce. Putting away the money bag, Zhou Xuan said to Yu Jia, “Fourth Brother, I need a favor from you.” “Regarding what?” “Mr. Dai.” “Wasn’t his case already clarified?” “Well, how should I put it…” Zhou Xuan, not knowing where to start, pointed to the retreating figure of Liu Tianen and said, “Director Liu solves cases focusing on ‘secondary pursuit of the murderer, primary explanation to the authorities,’ right?” “Right.” Yu Jia agreed. “I admire his approach…”

Chapter 33 - 33 30 Story

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