Chapter Fourteen: Is This Truly of the Mortal World?

“What’s wrong?”

When Sun Sheng saw the change in his expression, the smile on his plump face gradually faded, and he spoke with a hint of meaning, “Three thousand taels of silver isn’t much for the Xu family.”

“I appreciate your regard, sir, three thousand taels truly isn’t much.”

Xu Boqing’s face drooped as he explained, “But, just a few days ago, Jianyang was struck by bandits. By the time I left, the Xu family was already gone.

My father perished in the attack as well. At this point, let alone three thousand taels of silver, I couldn’t even produce thirty!”

The atmosphere in the room froze to ice.

Sun Sheng couldn’t even be bothered to pretend anymore, sneering, “If your father could send you away, I don’t believe he didn’t leave you a way out!”

Xu Boqing gave a bitter smile. “There was, originally, but on my way to the capital, I was robbed by highwaymen. All my family and servants traveling with me perished, and the bandits took every bit of our belongings.”

The chief eunuch, Li, sitting at the head of the table, spoke coldly, “What about you? If everyone traveling with you died, how is it you survived?”

“I was lucky, feigned death, and barely escaped.”

Xu Boqing’s voice was desolate. “This happened on the official road outside Hongyang City. The local authorities should have a record. If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to investigate.”

A heavy, oppressive feeling settled over the room.

The officials from the Inspectorate exchanged glances with Chief Eunuch Li. With their experience, they could easily tell Xu Boqing spoke the truth.

His misery was genuine—

But their anger was no less real!

They’d expected a fat sheep to fleece, only to find the meat gone and not even a bone left behind.

Especially Sun Sheng—realizing his whole performance had been for nothing left him seething. He waved over the jailers from the dungeon, barking, “Take him away and give him a hundred lashes.”

“Heh, don’t worry, Master Sun, we understand.”

The two jailers exchanged a glance, cruel and malicious grins spreading across their faces.

Xu Boqing’s expression changed. Now he was truly panicked. He’d thought that as long as he was poor, with nothing to gain, the most they’d do was rough him up a bit to vent their anger before letting him go.

But a hundred lashes? And no sign of release?

Judging by the jailers’ vicious looks, he’d be lucky to survive that!

These bastards had not a shred of compassion!

What should he do? What should he do?

As the two jailers stepped forward to seize him, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Xu Boqing—he remembered the apricot-yellow “Summons for Talents” posted at the city gate!

“Wait!”

His sudden shout startled everyone present, even the two jailers paused in confusion.

Xu Boqing hurriedly called out, “Honored sirs, when I was a child, I dreamt of being taught by a divine being—I bear a unique skill!”

The dungeon fell silent.

The two jailers looked uncertainly at Master Sun. Sun Sheng, brows knitted, waved impatiently, “What are you standing there for? Take him down, give him two hundred lashes!”

The jailers had just moved when the eunuch’s cold voice interrupted, “Wait.”

Chief Eunuch Li set down his teacup, eyes boring into Xu Boqing. “Boy, do you even know what you’re saying?”

“I do,” replied Xu Boqing.

“No, you don’t.” Chief Eunuch Li, with a mocking twist of his hand, said, “Let me tell you—before you said that, at worst you’d have suffered a beating. If your luck held, you’d survive it.

But now, if you’re telling the truth, so be it. If you’re lying—hmph!”

He let out a sinister chuckle. “That would be a crime of deceiving the sovereign. Not just you, but your entire clan—nine generations—would lose their lives for that.”

My own life is nearly forfeit—why should I care about nine generations?

Xu Boqing gave a wry smile. “Thank you for the warning, Chief Eunuch Li. No matter how bold I am, I wouldn’t joke about my own life, nor my clan’s.”

His tone shifted, fear giving way to solemnity. “I truly do possess a unique skill!”

Chief Eunuch Li’s eyes narrowed slightly. He rose and said, “Show me, then. If you really have such a skill, I promise you wealth and honor.”

“Show…”

Xu Boqing paused, blinking. Should he tell them he never gets tired? That he can eat a lot? That he can tell fortunes?

None of those sounded convincing.

Thinking of his three “golden fingers,” Xu Boqing found himself in a dilemma—

“Heaven’s Eye” was a perception skill; currently, aside from seeing people’s auras, he hadn’t developed any other use for it. Even if he activated it, there’d be no visible phenomenon for others to witness.

“Pure Yang Body” was a special constitution, a passive trait. There was nothing outwardly special to see.

“Wheel Technique” could be demonstrated, but…

He glanced down, sucking in a breath—could that really count as a “unique skill”? Would showing it get him beaten instead?

Jealousy was common, but such… endowment was rare…

Chief Eunuch Li, seeing his hesitation, grew impatient. “Boy, I’ve given you your chance. If you’re toying with me, you’d better watch your skin.”

“Dead eunuch, you’re the one who forced me to reveal my true nature!”

Xu Boqing cupped his hands. “I do possess a unique skill, but to show its true power, I require a particular object. I ask for your permission, Chief Eunuch.”

Chief Eunuch Li snorted, half threatening, half warning. “Don’t think to waste my time.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“What is it?”

Xu Boqing smiled. “A wheel without an axle.”

“That’s all?”

Chief Eunuch Li gave the jailers a look.

They quickly understood, bowing and hurrying out. Soon, they returned carrying in a freshly removed wooden wheel, which they dropped on the floor.

“Here’s what you asked for.”

Chief Eunuch Li tossed his horsetail whisk over his arm, his voice chilling. “Now, show us this so-called unique skill.”

“I must trouble you to dismiss any unrelated onlookers. While my skill causes no direct harm, it may leave an unshakable shadow on the mind.”

At this moment, Xu Boqing seemed transformed—confidence and vitality radiated from him.

“What a bother,” muttered Chief Eunuch Li. Nonetheless, he waved dismissively and the jailers, though curious, withdrew, leaving only a handful of Inspectorate officials behind.

“Begin.”

“Very well—gentlemen, I ask you to remain calm.”

Xu Boqing smiled, bowed, then shed all restraint and began to display his “unique skill!”

At first, confusion flickered across the faces of those present. Then their brows furrowed—none more so than Chief Eunuch Li, who seemed to witness something unspeakable.

Suddenly, their eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost!

Then, mouths agape, they stood frozen, forgetting even to breathe—

Staring only at the spinning wheel before them…

Some of the Inspectorate officials instinctively glanced down at themselves, swallowing hard as if startled; while Chief Eunuch Li looked down at the handle of his horsetail whisk.

This… this… this…

Shaken to their core, all of them were struck by the same thought—

Can such a thing truly exist in this mortal world?